Author: theoutdoorsguy

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Osgoode Club Official Statement on Coyote Cull Contest!

Much thanks to Gordon Atkinson of the Osgoode Fish, Game and Conservation Club for providing me with an official statement on the Great Coyote Cull Contest:

 

OSGOODE  TOWNSHIP  FISH, GAME and CONSERVATION CLUB: A Proud Affiliate Club of the OFAH

 

The Osgoode Township Fish, Game and Conservation Club (OTFGCC) is a volunteer organization which exists to promote an interest in the outdoors.  Over the past 20 years the club has been actively involved in the community of Osgoode Township raising funding and hosting community projects such as the Annual Kid’s Fishing Day, a Family Ice Fishing Day, the funding of local children’s sports teams, the installation of new lighting and a dock at Taylor Park, Big Buck Contests and the building and running of a Club Ice Fishing Shack.  Conservation projects have included things such as erecting Osprey nests along the Rideau River and constructing wood duck boxes throughout the township.

 

Over the last few years, the Township of Osgoode has seen a dramatic increase in its coyote numbers. The growing coyote population is not only a local problem, but also a provincial-wide problem that the Ontario Government doesn’t seem to want to address.  The costs of ignoring the problem are, however, starting to add up.  In 2008, coyotes killed 4829 (reported) livestock in Ontario resulting in $965800 in compensation paid by the Provincial Government to farmers.  Ontario is not alone with regard to the ‘nuisance’ coyote problem.  The Saskatchewan government currently offers a $20 bounty as part of their Coyote Control Program to help farmers and ranchers who are having trouble with coyotes killing their livestock.    

 

To support our local farming community and to address the local problem of coyotes that are killing livestock, pets, and endangering the rural public, the OTFGCC initiated “The Great Coyote Cull Contest”.  Culling is the process of removing animals from a group based on specific criteria. This is done in order to either reinforce certain desirable characteristics or to remove certain undesirable characteristics from the group. For livestock and wildlife, the process of culling usually implies the killing of animals with undesirable characteristics.  In accordance with the definition of the word ‘cull’, we are hoping that the coyote contest will help to reduce the number of ‘nuisance’ coyotes in Osgoode Township.     

 

In the September 2009 O.F.A.H. News Update, O.F.A.H. Biologist Ed Reid “suggests that the increase in coyote-human conflicts reflects two things: when prey is abundant, coyote numbers increase.  Reid also thinks coyotes and ‘brush-wolves’ appear to be losing their natural wariness in areas where they are not hunted.”  Reid is then quoted as saying that “[t]he greatest benefit of hunting coyotes may not be the reduction of their numbers, but the impact hunting has on their ‘education’.  Hunted coyotes are more wary of people and our enterprises and livestock.” 

 

Stringent laws regulate what, when, where and how a person can hunt. Only people who have completed an Ontario Hunter’s Education Course Exam, a Canadian Firearms Safety Course Exam and who have purchased an Ontario Small Games License may participate in the contest.  The season for coyotes in Osgoode Township is open year round and there are no limits on the number of coyotes that can be harvested.  Hunters need to be aware of the City of Ottawa Discharge of Firearms By-law no. 2002-334 and its boundaries before going hunting.  Furthermore, licensed trappers can also harvest coyotes for the contest. 

 

To enter “The Great Coyote Cull Contest” licensed hunters and trappers are to bring their coyote and $2.00 to The Old Co-op in North Gower.  Participants will be given a ballot to be entered into the draw.  First prize is a Mossberg model535 AP shotgun. Second and third placed prices are also geared towards coyote hunting. Contest winners will be announced Monday March 15, 2010.  For further information regarding the OTFGCC and our activities please see our website at http://www.ofah.org/ZoneF/Clubs.cfm?A=Osgoode

 

Sincerely,

 

Gordon Atkinson

President

Osgoode Township Fish, Game and Conservation Club

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Spring Bear Hunt – 11 Year Anniversary

Well Folks, since we’re getting all wound up, here’s another doozy for you!

This month we ‘celebrate’ 11 years since the then Ontario Conservative Government caved to pressure from a small, but powerful activist group, and cancelled the Ontario spring bear hunt.

How has the cancelled spring hunt affected you, and what should be done now after more than a decade since the hunt’s departure?

Drop me a line!

Outdoorsguy

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Anyone Going to Cayo Coco, CUBA?

This is completely off-topic here,  but I am hoping someone out there might be able to help?

My wife and I just returned from a trip to Cayo Coco Cuba with our kids and unfortunately have forgotten Mrs Outdoorsguy’s wedding ring at our resort Laguna Krystal. I am totally impressed with the Cuban people for actually finding the ring and being honest enough to hold onto it for us!

The problem now is, there is no viable Courier service in Cuba that will provide insurance for packages they send, so basically shipping is at your own risk.

Really, the safest way to have the ring brought back to Ottawa is with a Canadian traveller.

Sorry again for straying off the beaten path, but if anyone knows of a reliable friend or family member heading to Cayo Coco Cuba over the next week or so, please let me know as it would sure get me out of a jam!

 
Outdoorsguy

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Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters (OFAH)

What is the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters doing to help manage the province’s fish & wildlife?

I realize they have been involved with wild turkey relocation projects over the years, and have participated in many wetland rehab and preservation initiatives. They do seem to speak out on behalf of hunters and fishermen, but what have they done lately?

Does anyone know? If you’re an active member who goes to meetings, please drop me a line.

 

Outdoorsguy

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Osgoode Coyote Cull

I must apologize for being out of the loop on this issue, as I have been down south for the past week.

 

I would appreciate it if someone in ‘the know’ would spell out the Osgoode Coyote Cull issue for me in a nutshell? At face value, I see this initiative as a good one, but will need to look into it a bit further.

 

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, however, to realize that we need to control predators in our region, and specifically south of town in the Osgoode-area. Coyotes have devastated deer in a number of regions over the years – nearly wiping them out in some areas.

It is also a little-known fact that the wile e coyote is responsible for the downfall of the magestic timber wolf.  Years of evolution, competition and hybridization has left the beleaguered grey wolf as a somewhat threatened species.

Some folks may have you believe it us responsible for the wolf’s demise, when really the biggest culprit has been the coyote.

Gone are the days, when these beasts stood a foot tall on the prairies and weighed about 20 pounds. The coyote we have today are 50 pounds-plus, every bit as ferocious as any Arctic Timber Wolf and a hell of a lot more adaptable!

Coyotes or ‘brush wolves’, as they are known in some areas, hunt in packs like wolfs, and have even established a wolf-like pack hierarchy.

 

But don’t be fooled – coyotes are NOT wolves and have become a serious problem not just in Osgoode.

 
With at least one reported attack on humans in our region, and countless numbers of pets falling prey to these marauding ‘yotes’, a cull would be a much needed last resort at this point.

 
Politically correct, it is not, but we all know in some circles when any wild animal is harvested near town, it’s a problem. That will never change.

 

Trapping and snaring use to be a viable option for controlling predator numbers, but we all know how much those activities are going on these days.

Animal Rights groups like PETA, as much as I despise them, have done one heck of a job at pummelling the trapping industry. If only we had been as efficient at protecting the industry, perhaps we would have our predator numbers under control, and an Osgoode coyote cull would not be necessary.

In the meantime, though, it sounds like a controlled hunt or cull would be a good idea.

I will be doing my research on the Osgoode issue, and will get back to you with a more informed opinion.

 

Outdoorsguy

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Petrie Island Ice Fisherman's Association

If you get a chance, check out the great website put together for the benefit of all east-end ice fishermen:

 

http://www.petrieisland.byethost32.com/

 

Thanks to my old pal Bob Presland for the heads-up! Bob is one damn fine winter angler and one of the nicest retired postie’s I know. A few years back, he pulled a walleye through the ice that would make most folks drool!

 

I am told the website was created by Al McIntyre, another avid ice-angler from the Orleans-area. His very comprehensive site features everything you’d ever want to know about winter angling around Petrie, and includes updates on the latest ice conditions and even a link to the Petrie Island webcam.

 

Times have sure changed, haven’t they? Who can remember the days when Petrie was just another Island, with no marina, no bait shop, no ecological area or boasted the city’s largest beach?

 

Outdoorsguy

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Emerging East end Shanty Town!

Not too shabby, by the end of December the east-end ice-fishing Mecca that is Petrie Island already saw a smattering of ice huts!

 

 
As is the norm, the first huts to be set-up are located in shallow water where the ice is the thickest – and safest.  As the winter moves on, though, these huts will slowly migrate outward toward deeper water, hoping to intercept with schools of foraging walleye.

 

ASIDE:  Man, I need to stop watching Ice Road Truckers on History Channel, or I’ll be too paranoid to drive on the river this winter!

 

If you happen to be one of the early bird ice-anglers out there, please drop me a line so we can put together an early season report on ice and fishing conditions. Its something I’ll be keeping an eye on all winter long.

 

The only river report I’ve heard is the Polar Bear Dippers at Britannia – now we need to hear from the fishermen!

 
Outdoorsguy

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Hunting & Fishing New Year's Resolution

Have you given your hunting & fishing New Year’s Resolutions any thought?

 

My list consists of four resolutions, and man I hope I can pull them off!

 

Quality time – spending more time afield this year is a must..there just never seems to be enough time for hunting and fishing, as real life commitments always get in the way of enjoying the Great Outdoors..I just need to try harder to make it happen!

 

Question everything – I also plan to take less things for granted this year…when I should be questioning everything…our resource managers, politicians and those who’s work directly effects on our renewal natural resources.

 

Crossbow hunting – I’ve always wanted to learn the crossbow, and try a crossbow hunt for moose..its just one more of those activities I’ve never done, and always wanted to.

 

Be more vigilant – The other day someone asked about a tag draw for Eastern ON deer hunters..and I was at loss for info…I really need to get back on the scene so that hunting and fishing info is more readily available in this town.

 

Ottawa may be the town that fun forgot, but we do have some of the greatest outdoor activities right at our doorstep, and for God’s sake, people need to know about it!

 

What are your New Year’s hunting and fishing resolutions? Drop me a line!

 

 

Outdoorsguy

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Valley Sportsman SHOW

The Valley Sportsman Show is gearing-up for another great year in 2010. The Carp Show – as it has become known – gets underway April 9 – 11..and will surely be drawing  anglers and hunters from across the region.

Check out seminars by such renowed hunters and fisherman as: “Big” Jim McLaughlin, Sheldon Hatch, Adrian Hare, Dan St. Denis, Art Cunningham,Trevor Kunopaski, Ken Dagenais, Carl Boileau, JP Ostiguy, Corey Gaffney and Lawrence Euteneier.

For more info:

http://www.valleysportsmanshow.com/Home

Hope to see you there..Outdoorsguy