The MD of Bonnyville’s coyote and wolf reduction program is back.
Between the months of November and March, residents can receive $15 for every coyote and $75 per wolf carcass they bring into the municipality.
According to Matt Janz, general manager of environmental and protective services for the MD, the initiative was started as a way of addressing the high levels of these predators killing livestock in the municipality.
“Back when we first started, we were using a lot of poisons and we were concerned because sometimes with poisons you don’t get the right animal,” he explained. “At the time, we wanted to go away from poisons and not use as much.”
Each year, the MD determines if the coyote and wolf populations warrant the project.
The program had a late start this year, after the MD delayed the usual Oct. 1 initiative to Nov. 1. The decision was made after reviewing their predator population numbers and reaching out to local trappers.
“We did surveys because we want to make sure that we get it right, and make sure the coyote population is still high,” Janz detailed.
He added, “We’re very flexible with the program. We move the dates around to work with the population if we’re uncertain, we just want to make sure we’re not harming the population of coyotes or wolves. We want to make sure this is right, and will change around the dates from time to time to make sure we’re right and the program works well.”
Janz noted residents who live within the MD of Bonnyville, including Cold Lake and the Village of Glendon, can participate, however, animals from outside of the area aren’t accepted.
Those interested in taking advantage of the program must be properly licensed to trap, and show proof of permission for hunting on private land.
Animals are accepted at the MD’s Agricultural Service Board office Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
During the intake process, the municipality keeps track of the amount of animals that are brought in.
“What we do for coyotes is either nip a little bit of the paw for an identification portion, and for wolves we’ll just take a picture of it. We get people’s information, and go from there,” Janz said.
If a hunter wants to take the fur off the animal, the municipality will work with them.
“We do realize that they want to get the hide off of it as soon as possible,” Janz noted. “What we may require in concession, if they do bring in carcass, we may (accept that). We still want to emphasize that we want to see the whole animal, because it’s too easy to cheat the system if they don’t.”
More information is available on the MD website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca, or by calling 780-826-3951.
