city sponsored coyote hunt in CA
Interesting story here about a city sponsored coyote hunt in California (Tustin). Looks like the coyotes are getting a bit out of hand. Just wondered what you all think about this:
http://news.yahoo.com/calif-city-authorizes-firm-shoot-coyotes-231012307.html
Sounds like the coyotes are getting bold!
http://news.yahoo.com/calif-city-authorizes-firm-shoot-coyotes-231012307.html
Sounds like the coyotes are getting bold!
Comments
I wish they didn't have to hunt them, as they're pretty amazing animals, but on the other hand, they sound like they are becoming a problem. Certainly I've had to deal with them too, and I do think perhaps thinning the population a bit here would be good too. I'm a bit surprised its come to this point, though. I wonder if it will help, or if more will just move into the area?
I felt bad for those people who lost pets. On the one hand, a small dog (or cat) would be natural prey, but it must be agonizing to see your beloved pet killed like that, and esp. probably sad for older people who have the dog as their only companion.
But it's true that some people are leaving food out, giving the coyotes and strays an invitation to neighborhoods.
All the ranchers complained to the local committee about a coyote overpopulation problem. So the committee hired a research team from the local university.
After thousand of dollars were spent through grants from the federal government, the students on the research team proposed a Trap, Neuter, Release program to manage the population. There was a big commotion in the agricultural community, and everyone thought it was a good idea.
An older gentleman, a quiet old codger who spent many years as a cow-hand and rarely spoke, stood up in the back of the room:
"That's great! But how is that going to stop them from eating our livestocks?!"
I have been vegan for 25 years. And I prefer meat eaters who are hunters than those who aren't. Actually I prefer them over many vegans.... Because frankly they know where their food comes from. And I would assume that they are at peace with that. I respect that far more than those who prefer to turn a blind eye to the origin of their food. Also hunting is far more eco-conscious than most livestock farming. And most hunters are passionate conservationists.
I fed my dogs raw (sadly became far too expensive) because I would never inflict my belief system on another regardless of species. I often joke that it is not my poor dogs fault they were adopted by vegans. I think it is also safe to say my dogs wouldn't scrounge for veggies left to their own devices. They would eat rabbits, and birds.
My father was a hunter and a foodie. He never hid from us where our food came from. Eventually I came to realize that I was not comfortable taking a life. I decided if I wasn't comfortable taking the life I should not be rewarded with it's meat. But I am in no way offended by people consuming meat. I am disappointed by how many people are disconnected from their food (eating so much packaged premade crap). I grow my own vegetables and make everything from scratch. And I have so much appreciation for what I get to eat.
What I do find offensive is people inflicting their life choices on others,whether it is a dietary choice or religious beliefs. Those are personal choices that are best kept personal.
Everyone has the rights to make a living each according to his needs. After that, I gave up anti-consumerism because people would not be farming or trapping if there's no market for it. Now I embrace hunting, farming and trapping because it's not the people who are participating in the actual careers or jobs, but rather the people who demand such products to be produced.
I was anti-factory farming too, until the eureka moment came to me that in many parts of the world, fresh vegetables are hard to come by and often are not affordable. I am sorry, but I have gone up North for a few weeks-- a package of meat is cheaper than a loaf of bread. It's economically not possible to be a vegetarian, let alone a vegan, in frigid corners of the globe. And there still are many places where being a vegan or vegetarian is impractical due to the limited resources of the land and dietary complications (ie. lactose intolerance.) Certain places in East Asia comes to mind.
I figured... one gets a lot further controlling who gets to stick their hands in his wallet oppose to rejecting everyone on principle.
Sorry the joke offends you. I didn't means to trend on anyone's political belief as I was exposing the hypocrisy. For some reason when people say: "ban hunting!" then when a population gets out of control, say bears, cougars, coyotes or whatever, then the very same voters turn on a dime and cry: "something oughta be done!" Usually, in the end, the problem was resolved by having government-funded hunts. Oregon and Washington are really bad for this.
I won't forget the moment where a tree-hugger, who has a history of anti-management, demanded the Red Tailed Hawk population to be culled because one of them ate her Chihuahua though. That was hilarious.
I was more directing the question towards Asheaka as she uses the term "murder" which is a pretty emotional or inflammatory way to describe the killing of animals.
This comment that Jessica @JessicaRabbit wrote reminds me of the following comment:
"You people should stop hunting, it is cruel and mean to the animals. You should buy your meat from the grocery store, where no animals were harmed"
This was something that someone had actually said and had published in a newspaper. Another person didn't believe people when they told her that the chicken breast she's eating actually came from a once live chicken, she thought it was something produced in a factory. Another person thought meat was "harvested" in a similar fashion as milk or eggs, that the cow just poops out a steak no harm done.
So many people are oblivious to what happens in commercial farming, and don't understand how disgusting of a facility their meat is raised in, not to mention all the pain and abuse these animals go through.
Even though it isn't something I'd ever do, and in some circumstance don't agree with, I still respect what they do.
Anyways, shouldn't they be more selective of which coyotes they hunt in an attempt remove ones that are less fearful but allowing the ones that are more fearful to live?
Ah, sorry. The synapses misfired. @Asheaka was right above your post.
@Shishiinu - I apologize to you as well. I didn't mean to label anyone as something that would offend them. I know that no one can please everyone, I know my beliefs bother a lot of people.
Let us not forget that we (humans) are also animals. We share many if not all of the same instincts of other animals. Pretty much eat, sleep and procreate. We just make things WAY more complicated, and are infinitely more self absorbed about it.
I wouldn't let my dogs catch and kill an animal on my watch...
My Kais have caught birds, moles, a bat!, squirrels, and gophers on my watch. I really don't want my dogs hunting rodents, even worse I don't want them eating them. The bat created a series of shots for Koda, and they get dewormed every few months because of their antics. You will be amazed at their tanacity and swiftness to go after prey. There isn't even a split second to stop them. Koda jumped straight up in the air on leash to catch the bat! I was horrified.
Let me tell you right now, your Kai WILL catch something on your watch. It's going to happen. And when it does, we will be here for you. ;-)
Although, I have to say-- in some cases, sometimes hunting is much more humane compared to non-lethal methods say-- camera-trapping with bait stations. Sorry, bait stations keep mangey animals alive. It's cruel to extend immune-compromised animals' lifespans.
People who kill anything simply for sport or malicious intent are disgusting. They are the ones who get everyone else hunting responsibly labeled.
I plan on hunting next year. As tight as regulations are in my state, I can still hunt a few things with dogs and will if I get one who is willing to do the job.
As far as my dogs hunting and killing things, I grew up with a master hunter cat and there was no stopping her. I have no problem with animals doing what their instincts tell them unless the prey is someone's pet. Juneau has killed two snakes that I know of and I do not disapprove of her doing this.
I do not like factory farming. I consider that far more cruel than responsible hunting. I am not naive when it comes to that but there is nothing I can do about it. I cannot afford to buy locally raised pasture meat, so I have to get the factory stuff.
That is why I wish to hunt. I would rather have meat that is natural and had the opportunity to live than be pumped full of who-knows-what and fed garbage in some feedlot and confined for the end months or entirety of it's life.
But as much as I disagree with how things are done, I cannot be a vegetarian or vegan. I just really like meat, simply put, and I am not willing to give it up. Plus I feed my dog raw so anything I might not want would go to him.
We do have a garden and grow a few things but do not have the space yet to grow all of our produce. We do buy a lot from the farmer's market since my Mom is really into the buy local thing.
Anyways, back on topic, I also have no problem with population control hunts if they are done right. It'd be nice if they would only hunt the animals that are a danger instead of just blindly hunting any of the target species which has happened in my area. I don't know too much on this subject though, so I could be wrong regarding the coyotes.
I'd also prefer if the animals are used in some way, even carnivores, rather than being disposed of in some rendering plant or whatever.
It's not the coyotes who are encroaching when you think about it. They were there first, so if we are going to kill them for invading their own turf then they should at least go to some use.