And for decades folks tried everyway possible to wipe out the coyote as was done to the wolf; trapping, shooting, posioning, government bounties, no seasons, no bag limits, and any and every other method man could divise and what has happened? Ole Wiley Coyote just exploded and expanded his range into all parts of the US to the point that biologists now tell us there are likely more coyotes than have ever existed in these United States; so the opportunistic turkey or deer hunter ambushing one of these critters on occasion won't do diddly to hurt the coyote, or the ability of this species to continue to thrive. We have plenty of these furry little beasts in GA now (we didn't know what a coyote was 40 years ago), and one of the counties near home is presently dealing with a rabies outbreak, the spread of which is being largely attibuted to coyotes by investigators. From my observations, the coyote is as opportunistic a killer as any member of the "blast'em for the hell of it crowd" (by the way, doesn't that remark show a little smack of elitism?); killing every animal it can if such is deemed potential prey. There was a case somewhere in the southeast a few months ago where a lady left her toddler in her yard unattended for less than a minute (forget something in the house) when she heard the child scream; she ran outside to find a coyote dragging off her kid. This lady saved the child, although the child did suffer some bad injuries. And my uppity former sister-in-law who lives in Paradise Valley, AZ always looked down her nose at me for my hunting activities; thoutht it very cruel and red-neck, but this ole gal had a major attiute adjustment after coyotes killed and ate her expensive, and high-pedigreed pooch (I don't think it's legal to shoot coyotes there, must call animal control). To me the bottom line is so elementary: If a guy enjoys coyote watching, don't shoot what he won't eat, they remind him of ole Shep, shooting coyotes is illegal, they are an important part of the local ecosystem, etc, etc, etc; then observe the law and enjoy that part of nature. On the other hand if a guy wants to shoot a coyote, coyote shooting is legal in his state, and taking the shot does not endanger life, limb, or the property of others; then I encourage that individual to do so, and I won't be sitting in judgement of his ethics, or his decision to take advantage of that opportunity wheather I agree with his shot placement or not. I like an awful lot being as well educated and refined as some I know posting here; therefore I remain unable to comprehend why there should be so much controversay over Randy's shooting of the coyote, and the sharing of his photos.
