By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

County boards may set coyote bounties under a bill passed by the House on Friday (May 13). Livestock ranchers testified at the Capitol that coyotes were killing their livestock. A Chippewa County sheep rancher told the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Game and Fish that he lost 116 lambs to coyote predation.

Each lamb represented a $168 loss, explained Bob Padula, Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association President.
Animal bounties were generally discarded nationwide during the 1960s, according to a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) official.

The DNR has taken took no official position on the coyote bill, Ed Boggess, of DNR Fish and Wildlife, testified.
According to the DNR, coyote numbers have increased in Minnesota ñ southern Minnesota, the suburbs.

Coyotes are about the size of a small German shepherd, ranging in color from nearly black to nearly white. A fully grown male coyote may weigh 45 pounds, females, less. Coyotes mate for life ñ usually, they have about half a dozen pups in a litter but as many as 13 pups in a litter have been reported. Boggess said coyotes, particularly older males, will take livestock. But coyotes feed on small mammals, fruits, even watermelon.

Where there are coyotes, there are likely few fox. Because coyotes drive these competitors out of their range. Wolves drive coyotes out, because coyotes and wolves compete.

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