I thought that the release of coyotes into NY was just common knowledge. I did not know that there was that many people that still think there aren't any here. I kill about 30 a year either trapping or hunting with distress calls.

Maybe I am miss understanding you, but do you really think there are none here or do you just not believe that the DEC introduced any to the area?

I will certainly contact my brother and see if his professor will go on record about this. I know my brother would but can't speak for his professor. They do alot of animal reintroduction projects at Fingerlake community college. My brother has gone to that school for 2 years and has been involved with some of them himself. Most are not so controversial though - like otter and marten introductions in the finger lakes region of NY.

If you want proof of Coyote's in the area I have a 60 pound female that I shot last year and had a full body mount done. Beautiful looking animals, unless they cross breed with dogs, then they look blotchy and mangey.

The only problem that I have noticed with coyotes is that they really put a dent in the fox population. I have found grey fox where I hunt chewed up and just left there. I coyote will kill a fox just for the hell of it I guess it is a territorial thing.

I set fox traps with a few scattered foot hold trapps around the initial set because alot of times I will end up with a coyote too. The coyotes find a trapped fox easy prey and will usually take a good chunck out of the back or neck area of the fox.