Coyote/Wolf

[RBuker]

Quote:

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There has been a somewhat steady increase in predator populations, but I think the biggest reason for more sightings comes down to the loss of habitat, more people being in the woods since the population density in those areas is going up, and the concentration of their prey in the undeveloped areas.

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You start your post with an age-old argument that just doesn't hold water.

When a housing development takes over a chunk of habitat, the animal are pushed out of it and into other areas near by. But... there's a thing called "carrying capacity." What that means is that a certain piece of land can only hold so many prey animals. A certain number of prey animals can only feed so many predators. Once this balances out (which really doesn't take very long) then the number of the predators and the number of prey are the same in the remaining areas as they were in that chunk of housing development before the habitat was "lost."

In all reality, wildlife does typically does very well around humans and their development to a point. People do nice things like plant fruit trees and tasty shrubs and gardens. This in turns draws the prey species closer to those home. What deer wouldn't rather eat peas out of my garden rather than pine needles in the woods? The bunnies do very well too. This in turn draws the predators closer to the homes. We also have a habit of keeping small, juicy pets at or near our homes. Coyotes love kitties and wiener dogs! So, yes, they are being seen more. But, the bottom line is that we see them because we inadvertantly draw them to us, not because we are taking their habitat and forcing them to live by us.

[Powerstroke]

I think we agree on the same concept. By planting tasty shrubs and flowers, we didn't reduce the area which the animals can live in. The prey animals continue to live in the developments because they can still get food and water and shelter in those areas. Yes the predators are drawn in closer.

Would the predators be seen and complained about if no one was living on that chunk of land? Of course not. SO, the reason we are seeing more and there are more complaints is because we are moving farther out into their habitat. They continue to live there, but now that people moved in they want someone to get rid of the wolves and coyotes, but try to leave the deer, rabbits and anything else fuzzy that doesn't inspire fear for no good reason.

[Scott K]

I understand the logic behind what you are saying, but if you back up 10-15 years ago, there were a fraction of coyotes and wolves that there is now. So we are seeing alot more because there are alot more, plus what you guys said.

[Powerstroke]

I do agree that there are more animals, I guess my point there was more about the number of complaints. Even though the populations have been growing steadily, people don't notice unless they "see" more animals or complaints make the news.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Congratulations to all that have kept this post civil!!!

Powerstroke, your takes are right on!

Wandereyes, I would like to answer to your ? you asked in a couple of posts.

"But what are the wolves going to eat when the deer population drops in the area? "

I would think that once the wolves take down the prey population in the specific area, the wolves will follow and migrate with the prey. After all, thats what a wolf needs to survive, food. I have witnessed these events first hand in the woods I hunt north of Two Harbors.

I honestly don't think that a wolf is going to linger around your property waiting to stalk your kids. However, one can never be too carefull. There is always a rouge animal out there. But I think odds are about the same as getting hit by lightning.

I wonder if it's considered harrassment to say, light off some bottle rockets over a pack off wolves that are a little too close for comfort. I know thats how they control problem bears in some areas. Maybe look into that. Scare them away a few times and their likely to not return again.

Lets hope that one day man and wolf can "get along". I agree there needs to be a little bit of control out there, mainly to keep them moving, to remind them we are around and not friend or food.

Keep up the civil discussion!