by Alison Despathy
As an undergraduate at University of New Hampshire, almost eons ago, I studied ethnobotany to understand how cultures use plants for food, medicine and life. To this day, I visit the local woods as much as possible. Fortunately our property is right close to the Steam Mill Brook Wildlife Management area which is over 10,000 acres in Caledonia County.
I have explored this pristine wilderness almost everyday and as much as I can ever since we moved here. I have found vast swaths of wild ginger, nettles, goldthread, ramps and even rare lady slippers, goldenseal, American ginseng, the parasitic Indian smoke pipe and mushrooms galore including lion’s mane, chaga, turkey tail and reishi. I hike with my dogs and give thanks for those who hunt coyotes with dogs because I know the coyotes that live in these woods will think twice before attacking me. They have been trained by the hunters to keep their distance and fear humans and dogs. This saves lives and encourages a respected buffer zone between the fierce, beautiful world of coyotes and domesticated humans and animals.
If coyote hunting with dogs is banned, humans, pets, homes and livestock will be at increased risk from roaming coyotes who know no boundaries and have no reason to fear humans and dogs. The next generations of coyotes will not know to steer clear of humans and dogs. They will continue to infringe and there will be more incidents and need to eliminate them.
Without an apex predator such as a human with dogs keeping them on high alert, they will become emboldened to push their limits not understanding the risks that await them. This is the natural state of the world. Populations are managed, predators and prey are held on guard, know their boundaries and hold a healthy fear of the human world and even our dogs because of the coyote hunters with dogs who continually remind predatory coyotes to keep their distance. This is how healthy functioning ecosystems work.
Coyotes are beautiful, wild, and free. They are also brutal, fierce and deadly. So often humans attempt to make the argument that killing a coyote quickly with a gun is more humane. This argument wreaks of anthropomorphism and does not respect the coyotes way of life. Let’s imagine what a coyote would want versus what we humans imagine for ourselves. Coyotes are relentless hunters, they chase, rip, and devour. They are brutal and devastating because they are wild and fierce hunters and survivors. This is why we both love and fear them. Death by gun with no fight, no chase, seems so disrespectful to their innate being. To have the opportunity to run and escape or fall prey to the pack is the coyote’s path, this is what they know, this is what they live. We should honor the coyote by allowing coyote hunters with dogs to keep the balance and natural cycle of life alive and well.
In her letter to VDC, Brenna Gladenzi, President of Protect Our Wildlife discussed a preliminary injunction that “would,have protected the public and our property from packs of uncontrolled hounds running at large in pursuit of coyotes….”. Coyote hunters not only greatly love and respect their dogs, they have admirable and astonishing control over them– much more than many dog owners. Gladenzi refers to the “constant game of whack-a mole with trapping and hounding lobbyists spreading misinformation left and right.” It is actually the coyote hunters who are dealing with this constant game of whack-a-mole and these ‘ban coyote hunting with dogs’ vengeance bills that keep resurfacing in some shape or form and do not allow a moment of rest for these hunters who are literally saving lives, protecting homes and helping to naturally balance wildlife. As their spokesperson and lobbyist, Mike Covey has worked tirelessly to uphold and protect the rights and way of life of hunters who are integral to the fabric of Vermont and the safety and welfare of Vermonters.
There are many coyote hunters over the years that have come up to the Steam Mill Brook Wildlife Management Area. We border this space and most days I venture into the deep woods. In almost 25 years of living here, I have encountered one coyote hunting dog. He was beautiful, timid and gentle. He stood at the edge of our driveway and gave a quick bark to let us know he was there and had lost his pack. We offered him a bowl of water and because he had his tracker on, in no time at all, his owner arrived and apologized profusely. I thanked him for helping keep the coyotes at bay and then they were on their way.
Most nights at our home, we hear the eerily beautiful barks and howls of coyotes, sometimes too close for comfort. I personally thank all coyote hunters who use dogs. I know that all of us who live near wild spaces are safer because of the constant message their hunting practice sends to the coyotes to keep their distance and respect the human domain. For those of you who hike in the woods, enjoy seeking nature, and live near the wilderness, be sure to thank your coyote hunters who love nature and their dogs and are keeping our rural communities safe and this vital tradition and benefit to society alive.
The author is a clinical nutritionist in St. Johnsbury.