Coyote incentive programs help ease predation impacts

Coyote predation in parts of Southern Ontario has been increasing for years and is showing no signs of slowing down. Livestock kills by coyotes and other wildlife cost taxpayers over a million dollars in compensation payments in 2008, and that figure doesn’t begin to reflect the true costs to the farmer.

Also increasing is the threat to public safety in urban areas where coyotes have not historically ventured. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) supports the efforts of municipalities that are taking action to assist their residents through coyote harvesting incentive programs.

“Hunting pressure can help alleviate the highly negative socioeconomic impact that coyote predation and overpopulation is having in parts of Ontario. Several municipalities are looking into incentive programs aimed at reducing local problems, which is an approach that we encourage and commend,” said Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife Services. “Licensed hunters and trappers can be of great assistance to those farmers and communities who are dealing with this issue.”

Across Southern Ontario, municipalities are looking at ways to help farmers suffering livestock damage and loss, and to protect the public, particularly small pets and children, as coyotes increasingly venture into neighborhoods. Bruce County has recently doubled its payment to licensed hunters who harvest coyotes. In 2008, the county paid out on 84 coyote harvests, up from just 5 in 2005. Grimsby, near Niagara Falls has looked at bringing in a pilot project to enable licensed local hunters to harvest coyotes in an identified problem area.

Under the Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act, a claim may be filed with a municipality for damages (including predation caused by wolf or coyote) up to the maximums prescribed by regulation. Municipalities, in turn may apply for a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) for reimbursement.

“We urge the province to remove the prohibition on hunting wolves and coyotes surrounding Algonquin Park and in the Kawartha Highlands, so that harvest incentive programs can be put into place in these areas where they are also needed,” Quinney added.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

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Muskies Canada Inc. Kawartha Lakes Chapter members Steve Nicholls and David White are looking for pledges from other members to help them out.

This will be happening on February 7th at the Causeway between Bridgenorth and Ennismore.

More info on the Plunge can be found here:

http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/Home/homeD.asp?cid=191

Come join these brave and crazy plungers who dare enter the frigid waters of Chemong Lake because they’re Freezin for a Reason.  Plungers raise funds for their favorite charities and support BEL Rotary’s many charitable endeavors in the process.

More specific info is available on the registration form.

Hot tubs, hot food will be the immediate reward for the plungers and a chance at a prize for the best costume or most funds raised.

If you don’t feel adventurous, you can always come put to support the plungers, laugh at the silly costumes and join in the frolicking with your friends and family.

The event takes place at Rotary Park, Ennismore, at 2 p.m. sharp on Sunday, Feb 7, 2010.  Plungers must be registered by 1:30 pm

Any pledges will surely be appreciated to make this a success for the B-E-L Rotary Club and our Chapter. A great portion of the money raised by our 2 volunteers goes directly to the Chapter and will be used in assisting us with the KTD project and Pike Invasion Project so please help out if you can.

Anyone wishing to pledge money can mail a cheque payable to Muskies Canada Inc. Kawartha Lakes Chapter to:

Tom McCutcheon
17 Marilyn Cres.
RR2
Ennismore, ON

My Kawarthan reports Angler attacked in Carden Twp.

Victim assaulted with baseball bat and pick axe: OPP

(CARDEN TWP.) Two Ramara Township men are facing several charges following an attack on Saturday (Jan. 16) near an ice fishing hut on Lake Dalrymple.
Kawartha Lakes OPP say officers were called to a McCrackin Avenue home in Carden Township after receiving an assault complaint.

Police allege a man was in an ice fishing hut with two other men when three males arrived and physically removed the men from the hut. OPP say the hut did not belong to the suspects.

Two of the men assaulted the victim with a baseball bat and a pick axe, police say, before the victim was able to struggle free and run to a nearby home.
The victim was taken to Soldiers Memorial hospital in Orillia. The two men with the victim were not injured in the attack.
Thomas Charles William Winchester, 21, and Chris Raduner, 23, face charges of assault with a weapon, utter threat to cause death and mischief under $5,000. Both were held in custody for a court appearance on Monday (Jan. 18).
Anyone with information about this incident are asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Check out MY Kawarthan for this article

Government Taking Steps To Prevent Spread Of Asian Carp

Ontario is supporting legal efforts by Michigan and other American states to prevent the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. The move recognizes the significant economic threat these fish pose to the province’s fisheries.

A legal brief from the Province has been filed with the United States Supreme Court supporting Michigan’s motion for a preliminary injunction to close the locks in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The closure is one of a number of measures sought by Michigan to keep this invasive species from passing into Lake Michigan.

Recreational and commercial fishing are vital to Ontario’s economy, providing jobs and recreation for many Ontarians:

Approximately 1.4 million anglers fish in the province each year, spending more than $2.3 billon dollars annually on fisheries-related expenditures.

The commercial fishery in the Great Lakes is valued at about $200 million annually.

The U.S. Supreme Court will determine Ontario’s participation in the proceedings.

Biologists fear Asian carp could devastate fisheries in the Great Lakes.

Indiana, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio and Minnesota have all backed the Michigan action.

In some parts of Illinois, Asian carp now make up more than 90 per cent of the fish population.

In 2004, Ontario banned the buying and selling of live Asian carp.

TO LEARN MORE

Read about the Invading Species Program, a partnership between the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and other organizations to raise public awareness of non-native species introduced to Ontario.

Find out more about aquatic invasive species.

Shellbourne Fuels Inc. is expanding their lubrication market into 5^Th Wheel Truck Stops.

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The entire line provides benefits that go beyond just improving engine performance. Cost savings are achieved through fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance, as well as significant environmental benefit of reduced emissions of up to 80%.

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Shellbourne Fuels Inc info

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