Central Alberta coyote hunt aims to bring predator’s population under control

The inaugural Coyote Classic, a competitive coyote hunt set to take place this weekend in central Alberta, aims to reduce the predator’s population to address concerns raised by local farmers and ranchers. Organized by Lee Bates, owner of Storm Mountain Outfitters in Stettler, the event will see participating teams hunting coyotes over two days, with the team that brings in the most pelts winning $2,500 and a new hunting rifle for each member.

According to Bates, the increasing coyote population in the area has led to livestock losses and a decline in other wildlife populations. Bates mentioned in an interview with CBC’s The Homestretch that the predator population needs to be controlled to address these issues.

More than 100 individuals are expected to participate in the event, which includes a banquet dinner with proceeds going to the Stettler Food Bank. Local taxidermists and trappers will judge the collected pelts for additional prizes, rewarding the heaviest or mangiest coyote caught.

While the event aims to address the challenges faced by agricultural producers, some wildlife conservation groups have raised concerns about the effectiveness of organized hunts in managing wildlife conflicts. Ruiping Luo, a conservation specialist with the Alberta Wilderness Association, suggests alternative methods such as fencing, livestock management, and behavioral management to mitigate conflicts between wildlife and humans.

Luo emphasizes the importance of considering the broader ecosystem impact of targeted predator hunts, noting that removing older, dominant coyotes can result in population instability and migration to new territories. Lesley Sampson, founding director of Coyote Watch Canada, echoes these concerns, highlighting that killing contests do not contribute to effective ecological management of wildlife populations.

Despite differing opinions on the approach, Bates defends the hunt as necessary to control the coyote population and address issues like mange and disease. Stettler County Reeve Larry Clarke acknowledges the longstanding challenges posed by coyotes to livestock producers and supports initiatives like the Coyote Classic to address these concerns.

As the event unfolds, the debate between predator control through organized hunts and holistic ecosystem management continues to be a topic of discussion among wildlife conservationists, hunters, and agricultural producers in central Alberta.