Yes they do have to eat. But when they start breeding like rabbits their population needs to be kept in check just like any other animal. I for one am tired of seeing more yotes than deer in counties where you wouldn't have seen a single yote 20 years ago. Just shows how fast they spread. My cousin took 3 this past year in juniata county and 1 deer. and he wasn't even hunting for yotes. I say if you see one with a gun in your hand make sure the first shot counts.