NOTES. C.J. Kett asked those in attendance to introduce themselves, who they represent and to express their interest in coyotes.

Transcription

1 - R~ iii:t Town of Fort Erie Our Focus: Your Future NOTE OYOTE ROUNDTABLE MEETING Meeting Date, Time, and Location Wednesday, April 8, : p.m. onference Room #1 Attendees asey Langelaan, NRP Dr. Arthur King, PA athy Richardson, MNR, Vineland Office Roy Pastorius, PA Randy Norris, Hunter tew Frerotte, Trapper Bill Matson, Deputy lerk. ity of Niagara Falls Kris Dube, The Times Lesley ampson, oyote Watch anada Murray Hunt, Ontario heep Peter Jeffrey, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Randy Berg, upervisor, By-law Enforcement, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake TOWN OF FORT ERIE Rick hular, ouncillor Bob teckley, ouncillor arolyn J. Kett, Town lerk Geoff tephenson, By-law Enforcement Officer Diana Learn Kelley, Executive Assistant to the Mayor/lerk 1)! Introductions arolyn Kett, Town lerk called the meeting to order and welcomed all of those in attendance..j. Kett explained ouncillor hular had raised the matter of a potential coyote problem in Fort Erie, particularly in his ward at a recent ouncil Meeting. A roundtable meeting was arranged to gain an understanding of coyotes and to determine if there was a real threat to the health and safety of the community of Fort Erie, and if so, to identify possible solutions..j. Kett asked those in attendance to introduce themselves, who they represent and to express their interest in coyotes. 2) Roundtable Discussion I A general discussion took place and the following observations were made: + Does a problem exist yes and no. + Imperative to educate the public. + More food that is accessible the more coyotes there are. + If you leave food out for pets or wildlife in yards, coyotes will come in and eat. + If cats and dogs run loose, coyotes will eat them. + oyotes do not usually interact or bother with people. + Top of predator chain in outhern Ontario, only people prey on them. + Expanded to eastern large coyotes average eastern weights 4-45 lbs and western weights lbs. + Pushed out by their peers, have to find their own territory.

2 oyote Roundtable Discussion April all the Ministry of Natural Resources for information. An information fact sheet was distributed and is attached as Appendix 1. + Make noise, blow whistles, bang pop cans together, they are more afraid of you. + They have no natural enemies. (. Building of new homes forces them into urban areas. + Do not run or turn your back on them, make yourself look bigger. + hange with green bins new food source for coyotes. + A licenced trapper or hunter can hunt coyotes all year. + Region advises residents to put garbage out by 7: a.m., a later time may be better. : Relocation of coyotes restricted by Wildlife Act, a copy of the ubsection is attached as Appendix 2. + Niagara-on-the-Lake tightened up their animal control by-law and running at large by-law and advising the residents not to leave out food. The anadian Geographic website has an excellent documentary on coyotes. + Problem not just Fort Erie, it is Province wide. + Fort Erie has valid issues. + oyotes are a problem for sheep and cattle producers. Working towards an acceptable policy + Top of food chain. + Move into urban areas when forced out of rural areas. + With deer population expanding over the years, coyote population growing and moving into urban areas. + No closed season on coyotes in Ontario. an be hunted and trapped year round. Any landowner or agent can do so in defence of their property. Property includes, pets, livestock. Must have regard to local discharge of firearms by-law. + Hunters and trappers hunt/trap from end of December to February each year for pelts. + Ministry of Natural Resources provides education material. They will not go in and solve the problem. + Huron ounty has recently approved a municipal incentive program paying $5 per pelt. Problems with program on a local basis. Research shows such on a program does not work. + If they can be sold trappers usually get $2 per pelt. Target individual problem coyote as viable solution. Remove alpha males. + When they get into the urban area, loose fear of man. + If not much food is an area, coyotes will have 1-2 pups, if lots of food, 7-9 pups. + Garbage bins attract. + oyotes habituated to area. + Relocation of coyotes is not an option. + Hunters/trappers, oyote Watch anada can search out dens things can be done immediately to identify where den is located. + If problem escalates trapper/hunter/oyote Watch anada would be willing to come and examine the problem. A general consensus was formed to take the following action: + Review the Town s discharge of firearms by-law possible exception for coyotes. + Ongoing public education through Ministry of Natural Resources, brochures, website, media to be distributed through Town s website, PA, vet offices, schools, etc. + Do not leave food outside for pets and wildlife or garbage avoid habitualizing. + Teach public to be able to distinguish a coyote from dog and what action to take if encountered ie: don t run, make loud noises, yell, make yourself look bigger. + Target the problem coyote property owner to take core of problem themselves by contacting hunter/trapper. ( onduct public open house. + Ask the media for assistance to educate and teach people to be safe. 7

3 oyote Roundtable Discussion April J. Kett read an received from Elise Able from East oncord, NY advising she has been conducting public education programs on coyotes in different areas throughout New York tate and would be willing to do public presentations to Town officials and work as a resource in helping to make decisions of how to handle the coyote situation. 3) Adjournment I The meeting adjourned at 5:5 p.m Notes prepared by: Diana Learn Kelley, Executive Assistant to the Mayor/lerk arolyn J. Kett, Town lerk 3

4 Appendix 1 ETION: Protection of property UBETION: Authorizations/use of agents UBJET: Municipal financial incentives for control of coyote/wolf predation POLIY/PROEDURE: WilPp IUE DATE: March 9, 1999 DEFINITION In this policy/procedure, Act means Fish and Wildlife onservation Act (FWA) RATIONALE The Act (section 31) allows a property owner to use an agent on the property owners own land for the protection of property from wildlife damage. lass agents are set out in ubsection 132(1) of the Hunting Regulation under the Act and include a licenced trapper, employees or agents of a humane society, members of a land owners own immediate family acting on behalf of the landowner on the landowners own land, persons whose business is primarily the business of removing nuisance wildlife, and employees or agents of a municipality whose responsibilities relate to wildlife control. Persons not in the groups mentioned above must be authorized by the minister to be an agent. A hunter falls into the group needing authorization if the control action is occun~ing outside of the normal hunting season for the area. ee policy procedure WilPp.3.2.l (Authorization of individual agents). Where a municipality wishes to compensate hunters or trappers for removing coyotes or wolves damaging livestock the municipality and the hunter or trapper will require authorization under ection 11 of the Act. ection 11 states that without the authorization of the minister a person shall not hunt or trap for hire or gain, or hire or induce another person to hunt or trap for gain. Individuals authorized under section 11 of the Act to hunt or trap for compensation are not agents under ection 31 of the Act but are authorized to hunt or trap for hire. Under a ection 11 authorization all relevant legislation and regulations apply.

5 7 PROGRAM DIRETION This policy/procedure is designed to facilitate municipalities who wish to compensate designated hunters or trappers who have authorization to hunt (trap) localized coyotes or wolves that are directly responsible for a given predation occurrence. This does not include the general population of animals over a wide spread area. This provision was initiated to help the livestock owner by allowing him/her to designate a hunter or group of to hunter on his behalf This provision was never intended to allow the livestock owner in question to hunt for compensation. Environmental Assessment Act considerations Exemption Order IVINR-14 provides EA Act coverage for the control of nuisance species of plants and animals, including fish, birds, and insects, by chemicals, transplanting, habitat alteration, shooting, or trapping, as was carried out by IvI7NR in ubstantially different activities (i.e. different in frequency, significance, or extent of control than those mentioned above) or species control carried out as part of lake reclamation or forest management work are not exempt. This exemption applies to private individuals who carry out these activities on behalf of MNR, but not to individuals doing so in the interests of protecting life or personal property. For more specific information, staff should refer to MThJR-14 and Procedural Directive PP 42.19, and consult their office EA contact. PROEDURE The District Manager has been delegated the authority to authorize a municipality to compensate hunters for removing coyotes or wolves. A letter of authority is issued upon the municipality accepting the guidelines developed by the Ministry of Natural Resources (and outlined in this procedure) and establishing the size of area (radius) around a predation site that may be hunted. A Resource pecialist has been delegated the authority to authorize a hunter to receive compensation from the authorized municipality for removing coyotes or wolves. Guidelines for Municipal oyote! Wolf Predation ontrol Program 1. Upon loss of livestock or poultry to predation, a stockowner may initiate the procedure by immediately contacting the municipal livestock evaluator to: verii~ the loss; and detennine predation cause; i.e. coyote, wolf, dog etc.

6 3 If a carcass is not available for examination, the stockowner alternately contacts MNR for assignment of a onservation Officer to veri~~ loss and provide certification on the compensation claim form (Form FW217), available from MNR). 2. If coyotes/wolves are the predation source and the stockowner wishes hunter assistance, the evaluator (or onservation Officer) shall promptly complete the certification section of the claim fonm 3. The stockowner frilly completes the appropriate sections (1 and 3) of the claim fon~n, (Form FW2l7) declaring details of the loss, designating a licenced hunter, maximum party number, desired hunting period and providing signature, date and telephone number. 4. The stockowner, evaluator or designated hunter may forward the claim form to the Ministry of Natural Resources for authorization to hunt coyotes or wolves for compensation. Delivery, either in person or by mail, must be WITHIN FOUR WEEK (2 WORKING DAY, MONDAY TO FRIDAY) of the predation occurrence. Upon receipt of claim forms, MNR will, in consultation with the stockowner and designated hunter, authorize a hunting period commensurate with the predation severity and time of year which is agreeable to both parties. Authorizations Will Not Be Made: over the counter before consultation with all concerned parties; for blanket periods or renewed periods without due consideration of predation severity; when claim forms are submitted to MNR more than 2 work days after predation occurrence; when htmting for compensation has already occurred prior to written authorization by MNR; when a form other than that provided by MNR is used; when other basic procedural guidelines have not been followed. MNR will provide hunters with sufficient copies of the authorization for each to carry while hunting for compensation. The original should be retained by the designated hunter for later photocopying at the municipal office. Authorization to hunt coyote or wolves for compensation are not permissions to trespass on private property. The resource specialist will complete the area to be hunted portion of the authorization form to be described as a radius in miles (or kilometers) from the predation site. This radius will be a distance negotiated with the municipality.

7 4 5. Only coyote carcasses taken in the approved localized area (to be determined by district) in direct response to the predation occurrence may be taken to the municipal office by the designated hunter for marking and certification by the municipal clerk or designate. The original of the authorization form must be presented with the carcasses. This certification must be signed by a municipal officer no later than the expiry date as stated under the MNR Authorization ection of the claim form. For any given predation occurrence, there is an onus on the municipality to monitor the number of carcasses submitted for the compensation claim in relation to the severity of the predation problem. This is subject to audit by the Ministry of Natural Resources. 6. The designated hunter takes the form to the appropriate municipal office for completion of the Municipal Approval for payment section of the form. REFERENE Legal References Fish and Wildlife onservation Act (1997) ection 11 - Hunting or trapping for gain ection 31 - Protection of property Hunting Regulation ubsection 132(1) - lasses of agents Environmental Assessment Act/MNR exemption order IvTNR-14 Related References Policies/procedures WilPp Authorization of individual agents PP Exemptions for nuisance animal control

8 V Ontario FAT HEET Ministry of Natural Resources 2 OYOTE IN THE OMMUNITY April 2, 29 oyotes, like other wild animals, sometimes come into conflict with humans. ince migrating to Ontario from the west over 1 years ago, coyotes have adapted well to urban environments and can now be found in both rural and urban settings. oyotes are here to stay. hanges in land use, agricultural practices, weather and natural food shortages may contribute to increased coyote sightings in your community. When natural food sources, such as mice, voles or rabbits, are scarce, coyotes will travel great distances in search of food. This is often what leads to sightings in residential areas. The ministry continues to provide assistance and technical advice to municipalities on how to deal with coyotes. However, homeowners can take steps to ensure coyotes aren t attracted to their property and to keep their pets safe. To reduce the potential for coyote encounters, the Ministry of Natural Resources has these tips for the public. ecure garbage and minimize attractants on your property Properly store and maintain garbage containers to help prevent coyotes and other animals from becoming a problem. Place trash bins inside sheds, garages, or other enclosed structures. Put garbage at curbside the morning of the scheduled pickup, not the night before. Properly manage waste to discourage the presence of small rodents, which are an important food source for coyotes. Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles, and avoid adding dog or cat waste, or meat, milk, eggs or any food containing these products. Pick ripe fruit from fruit trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground and keep bird feeders from overflowing as coyotes are fond of fruit, nuts, and seeds. Protect vegetable gardens with heavy duty garden fences or place vegetable plants in a greenhouse. heck with your local nursery to see what deterrent products are available. onsider eliminating artificial water sources such as koi ponds. Keep pet food indoors to prevent coyotes and other animals from being attracted to your property. Deterrents and fences can keep coyotes away from your home and gardens Use motion-sensitive lighting to make your property less attractive to coyotes and other nocturnal wildlife. Use motion-activated sprinkler systems to help keep coyotes and other unwanted wildlife out of yards and gardens. Fence your property or yard. It is better if the fence is at least six feet tall with the bottom extending at least six inches below the ground and/or a foot outward. ome manufacturers make a roller system that can be attached to the top of the fence. This roller prevents coyotes and other animals from gaining the foothold they need to pull themselves up and over the top of a fence. Electric fencing can also help deter coyotes from properties or gardens in some circumstances lear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes may find cover and small animals to feed upon. lose off crawl spaces under porches,. decks, and sheds. oyotes use such areas for denning and raising young.

9 Keep all pets on leashes or confined to a yard ats and small dogs may be seen as prey by coyotes, while larger dogs may be injured in a confrontation. To avoid these situations consider the following: Install proper fencing (see above). As coyotes are primarily nocturnal, animals should be kept inside at nighl Do not allow pets to roam from home. Keep cats indoors where they are safe from coyotes. Walk your dog on a leash at all times. If your yard does not have a fence, use a leash while on your property to keep your dog close to you. o pay or neuter your dogs. oyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered. Do not approach or feed coyotes oyotes are wild animals, but can become less fearful of humans if they associate us and our surroundings with food sources. Teach children not to approach or harass wild animals. If you encounter a coyote oyotes are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible. Aggressive behaviour toward people is unusual, and is most often a result of habituation due tofeeding by humans. If you encounter a coyote, remember the following: Never attempt to tame a coyote. Never feed a coyote. Do not turn your back on or run from a coyote. Back away from the coyote while remaining calm. Use whistles and personal alarm devices to frighten an approaching or threatening animal. Prevent predation on livestock Barns or sheds can provide effective protection from coyote predation for livestock that bed inside or nearby at night. Guard animals, such as donkeys, llamas and dogs can be a cost-effective way to protect livestock from coyotes. Guard animals will develop a bond with livestock if they are slowly integrated and will aggressively repel predators. For more information on preventing livestock predation, please visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) website at LEARN MORE To learn more about coyotes, including how to deal with coyote problems, call your local Ministry of Natural Resources district office. If the coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call Beverley tevenson, Guelph District LINTON (519) Bill Murch, Guelph District GUELPH (519) ontario.ca/natural-resources-news Disponible en français

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