Coyote gunned down on South Shore
This coyote was killed Jan. 22 on the South Shore. Photo/Provided
Updated Jan. 23 6:05pm:
Someone shot and killed a coyote on the South Shore Jan. 22.
The animal was left to bleed to death in the snow.
This occurred off Ottawa Drive in the unincorporated area of El Dorado County.
Neighbors have been interviewed, but there are no suspects yet, according to El Dorado County sheriff’s officials. John Setnor, the owner of the house where the coyote was found, denies involvement.
“The only gun that he owns is a BB gun, which wouldn’t have caused the large bullet hole in the coyote. The coyote was shot in the woods near his home, but there are no witnesses and no one heard a shot,” sheriff’s Lt. Pete Van Arnum told Lake Tahoe News. “All indications are that he likes the animals in his back yard, and he is a supporter of (Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care). Another neighbor saw a male subject in a black raised pickup with two dogs in the truck wearing a camo jacket. He was watching a coyote in the area and appeared to want to hunt the coyote. No plate on the truck.”
It is not illegal to hunt coyote, but it is illegal to discharge a firearm in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
No one answered the phone at the Setnor residence with Lake Tahoe News called.
A neighbor told Lake Tahoe News, “ (Setnor) was one of two people who were aware of a dead coyote behind his house. The initial blood was found approximately 30 feet from his back deck and the body about 30 yards from that after following the blood trail. The other individual did not remove the coyote after it was reported. The blood trail leads directly to a spot behind his deck where he would have an unobstructed shot from his house. The blood trail is still on the ground. The coyote was removed and the only evidence that is left is boot prints from a large shoe covering the area where the coyote died and also on top of the blood trail.”
Coyotes have been heard on the South Shore in the last week in large numbers at night after a presumed kill. Some have been wandering neighborhoods without the pack.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Unconscionable! This really upsets me. I hope the scum is found and fully prosecuted.
Only a coward would do something like this.
Arod:
I completely agree with you. Coyotes are heard every night on the South Shore and just about every night one can see them wandering in neighborhoods without ever seeing the rest of their pack. They are part of what makes up Tahoe and seeing one meet an end like in the above photo sickens me.
The way this animal was killed is absolutely horrific. Our community should be outraged regarding this senseless slaughter of widelife. Kudos to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department for pursuing the individual responsible for this.
The person who killed the coyote came and got it the evening after it was reported , and he was confronted.
The sheriff knows who he is, as do some of the neighbors. What the article does not state is the fact that the trail of blood from when he murdered the coyote, starts from behind his house.
It is horrific that someone would do something like this. In the year 2014 where animals are dying because of other causes, to have a human shoot and leave a rare animal to die like this makes me so mad. Also makes me feel like I have no hope for the human culture. I hope who ever did this is caught and gets a real harsh dose of karma. Stupid, stupid, stupid idiot.
WHY ?THE person who did this should be fined ,and it will never happen again, If people know about fines in this forest ABOUT OUR ANIMALS IT WOULD STOP,ACTION IS NEEDED OR IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN,
Deliah, coyotes are not rare. They live EVERYWHERE. Even in cities. And if you ever have one choose your pet for a snack, you might change your tune a little about how precious they are. They’ve become WAY too bold in this community. Not natural at all. Spoken to more than one neighbor about having been stalked as we’ve walked dogs, or jogged, or whatever, out on the street in broad daylight. Have you noticed that there are NO outside cats here? That whenever somebody here loses a small dog, they NEVER turn up?
I’m not condoning this shooting. But the coyote situation here is becoming a problem.
Oh my what a head line. It is absolutely legal to hunt coyotes in Tahoe.
So re-worded…a coyote was legally hunted in Tahoe.
And then the story:
Coyotes, like all animals that adapt to mans presence become emboldened over time. Hunting modifies animal behavior and forces coyotes to view man as a predator to fear.
Now for Rick, go walk a poodle in the meadow behind the college. Then walk a poodle near Indian Creek reservoir. Whats the difference? Coyote hunting.
So the most likely conversation the deputy had:
“Man, you are freaking out the neighbors, get rid of them if you are going to kill them.”
Here is the actual written law that can be found on California’s Department of Fish and Game’s website. It states that Coyotes (although beautiful) are NOT protected, and CAN be hunted on national forest land (which this one was) by a licensed hunter without limit 12 months a year. The only question is weather or not a firearm was discharged in the basin.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/
CHAPTER 6. NONGAME ANIMALS
§472. General Provisions.
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 478 and 485 and subsections (a) through (d) below, nongame birds and mammals may not be taken.
(a) The following nongame birds and mammals may be taken at any time of the year and in any number except as prohibited in Chapter 6: English sparrow, starling, coyote, weasels, skunks, opossum, moles and rodents (excluding tree and flying squirrels, and those listed as furbearers, endangered or threatened species).
What is the source of this article’s statement that, “it is illegal to discharge a firearm in the Lake Tahoe Basin?” LTN, can you show us the law that makes it illegal to shoot a gun in Tahoe? Thank you.
There is a prohibition from discharging a firearm in the City. There is also an area, NOT DESIGNATED, in El Dorado County where you can only discharge shotguns with a projectile of less than 1/3 diameter of the bore of the weapon. Its called the Lake Valley Firearm Control area: and there is no map. Common sense would dictate not to shoot around North and South Upper Truckee. But the County Supes never got around to actually defining the area on a map.
That leaves a whole lot of room were hunting is absolutely and properly allowed.
@Moral Hazard-the article does not state whether the shooter of the coyote has a hunting license. You are assuming it was a legal kill. I agree that the headline was inflammatory, even though I’m generally of the belief that if you’re gonna shoot it you ought’a eat it.
Ottawa Street is a residential area in Meyers. If the “hunter” wanted the kill why didn’t he/she retrieve the body which was found close to the street? The story of a black truck with two dogs and a camo jacket sounds bogus to me. Who is going to shoot a coyote in a residential area with such a large and loud gun during the day?
Bow hunting is also completely within the rights of licensed hunters on public lands. And given the “Tahoe Coyotes” bold sense of fearlessness, it makes it a completely viable scenario.
Setnor is my neighbor and there is NO way in hell that he would shoot any animal as he loves ALL of our wild life even the coyotes. His backyard in the summer is like stepping into the scene of Snow White with all the wildlife running around his pond and garden. We have a huge pack of coyotes and we might not be the biggest fans since we all have to watch the safety of our own animals but we know how to co-exist with them and I think it’s rediculous to assume Setnor is involved. And for those who think otherwise get your facts straight and stop pointing fingers when you have no idea who the guilty person is!
Coyotes are heard nightly on the south shore…and after a kill is only one of many reasons for their ululating vocal symphonics. They are NOT a problem-hysterical people who want the Disneyland version of ‘the mountain experience’ are the problem. My neighborhood has a few outside cats, and coyotes travel through regularly. The cats, by the way, are alert, nimble and healthy.
hmm, well then the story is about poaching, which as you know would get the hunting community up in arms. Of course if it was Nevada no license is necessary for coyote.
If it was in the neighborhood and he discharged a rifle, or if he fired anything within 500 feet of a house then the story is about a weapons violation.
Me and my leashed dog got ambushed by three coyotes about twenty years ago. My dog got bloodied, but survived. Guess what I did to two of the coyotes. I kept their tails, but they kinda rotted over the years. And I threw them out. Just kidding you, of course.
Save the rats!!
Too many of them, and they are way too comfortable in town around humans. They should be living in the woods, and be shy of humans. Our being here has caused their numbers to increase, letting them get to our pets, feeding small animals like chipmunks and squirrels, and I have heard of the rare person giving them food.
I hate to see or hear of any animal being killed uselessly, but our behavior has taken us down this road.
If you’re worried about your kitties and puppies, keep ’em inside or move to a secured building in some city!
Some of us love living here because WE CAN coexist with nature and ALL her creatures! I’ve had a dog and a cat attacked by coyotes (and the vet bills cost me plenty) many many years ago. But I blame myself, not the coyote.
I let my dog off his leash. I miss that dog, 110 lb dobie pitbull mix. He never met another animal he didn’t want to attack. He had some really extraordinary exploits.
Fact the matter is that coyotes are overpopulated in our area. Let me ask a question. When was the last time you saw a deer in the basin? They are all over in our mountains just outside the basin and used to have a place here. These packs of coyotes have no predator and overrun all the food sources that other animals need. Allowing coyote hunting in the basin could help all the wildlife. Some areas with this problem even offer bounties on coyotes to help curtail the populations. Speak with a wildlife biologist for the Ca fish and game, this is normal business in wildlife management. In Nevada you don’t even need a hunting license, anybody can just shoot one. Obviously rules need to be in place , even if it was just an archery option, it would help. We need to reduce the coyote population in our area and this homeowner should be allowed to do what he did. It looks gruesome but there is a bigger picture that needs to be addressed.
Illegal to discharge a firearm in the basin? Does this make the entire Tahoe basin a gun-free zone? OK to possess, but never use, under any circumstance?
@ barfl2….A 110 pound dobie-pitbull mix, never met another animal he didn’t want to attack? I’m wondering who attacked who twenty years ago. Hope you both were neutered.
@MoralHazard… your assessment of the law makes sense to me.
@Careaboutthecommunity…if he killed the alpha male or female(coyotes mate for life and have been known to take care of the aged and infirm in their pack)the result will be MORE coyotes not less. Only the alpha’s in a coyote pack breed, unless something happens to one of them.
TahoeRy, I saw three young bucks in the Heavenly Creek area off of Al Tahoe just this last spring. One of my co-workers saw deer on multiple occasions near the Spring Creek Tract this summer as well.
And let’s not forget about the mountain lion that was sighted two days in a row in that same area off of Al Tahoe Blvd this past summer.
And the bigger picture that needs to be addressed is the actions of we humans!
hmmm…says How prescient, actually we both were. You must be a mensa reject.
Level, of course there are a couple deer around. But when I hunt Hwy 50 and 88 I can see 10 deer in a brief morning hunt. That doesn’t happen here. Part of that is because of a lack of quality forage, but after Angora we should be seeing more, and its not really happening. There is a great debate as to why that is true. I believe unmanaged predators are a big part of that. You don’t see deer near bears or coyotes.
Here are some rules regarding the use of guns in the Lake Tahoe Basin:
This is from El Dorado County sheriff’s Lt. Pete Van Arnum, “Firing a firearm in the South Shore basin area is a county ordinance violation, a misdemeanor.”
This is from the U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit:
§ 261.10 Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited:
(d) Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:
(1) In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, or
(2) Across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge.
(3) Into or within any cave.
This is from Washoe County Sheriff’s Department:
Washoe County sheriff’s deputies are reminding residents of county ordinances governing discharge of firearms in congested areas.
It is unlawful to discharge: any gun, pistol, or rifle, with the exception of shotguns, air rifles, or BB guns, within 5000 feet of an occupied dwelling; shotguns, air rifles, or BB guns within 1,000 feet of an occupied dwelling; a firearm from, upon, over or across any federal or state highway or any county road or highway; a firearm within a Nevada State Park, unless otherwise designated by the administrator; within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service it is prohibited to discharge a firearm in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, or across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in a manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge, or into or within any cave.
A “congested area” is a geographic location where discharge of any firearm is prohibited. Because congested areas are generally densely populated, it has a high risk of personal injury.
A “restricted congested area” is a location where residents must be a minimum of 1,000 feet from any occupied dwelling.
A “non congested area” is a location where residents must be 5,000 feet away from an occupied dwelling. In these areas they may shoot guns, pistols, rifles, shotguns, air rifles, BB guns, or any other firearms.
If anyone has concerns about activity that may be illegal, or dangerous, call (775) 785.9276.
This is from South Lake Tahoe municipal codes:
18-14 Weapons and firearms – Entry upon private property in possession of dangerous weapon.
No person shall enter upon any privately owned land with a firearm or other dangerous weapon in his possession, without the written consent of the owner of such land in his possession. (Ord. 195 § 3)
18-15 Same – Discharge in city.
A. No person shall shoot any bullet, arrow or other projectile into, across or above any privately owned land without the written consent of the owner of such land in his possession.
B. No person shall fire, discharge or shoot any firearms into or within any part of the city. (Ord. 195 § 3)
This is from Douglas County:
Douglas County Ordinance 9.68.030 states that it is unlawful for anyone to discharge any gun, pistol, rifle or other firearm with the exception of shotguns or air rifles within one thousand five hundred feet of any dwelling without the permission of the occupant. The safe distance for shotguns or air rifles is five hundred feet from any dwelling.
LTN staff
“HMMM ” is correct- in Coyote packs only the alpha male & female breed. The subordinates don’t even go into heat UNLESS something happens to the Alphas. Why do you think after years of Aerial gunning, trapping , poisoning, and hunting ( including those disgusting ” contests” they have) – the coyote numbers are NOT diminishing! They have a ” natural” balance- WE screw it up ! If they eat free roaming cats they are just doing what comes natural to survive- they don’t distinguish between a squirrel or a cat – they just know its food for them to survive! In fact- there most frequent meal is rodents- mice- moles-voles which HELPS us! They are learning to co-exist with coyotes ( as well as bears) in other cities. I’m ashamed at times to live in a place where “some people” think the only remedy for wildlife conflict is to just randomly kill it and THEN “play the coward” and hide the fact they did it!
Moral, correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t black bears more so opportunistic feeders than they are predators? And all one has to do is drive through Genoa, or even the West side of Carson City, and you will see a plethora of deer. And I’m pretty sure there are quite a few black bears, coyotes, AND mountain lions in those areas.
Lt. Arnum. Give us a cite. Show me exactly where it says I cannot fire a firearm in south shore. I want to see it.
Well Mr. Hazard, why don’t you step outside and start shooting your beloved gun until the cops or sheriffs come and I’m sure you’ll soon find out the answer to your question!
9.44.060 Lake Valley Firearm Control Area.
It is unlawful for any person to fire, discharge or shoot any firearm excepting:
A. A shotgun in which the maximum dimension of any slug used is less than one-half (%) the
diameter of the bore;
B. Within a pistol or rifle range approved by resolution of the board of supervisors; or
C. For the defense of persons or property; into or within any part of the Lake Valley firearm
control area in Lake Valley in the county, as bounded and described by resolution of the
board of supervisors. (Ord. 3165 §3.2, 1981: prior code §7407)
This is from El Dorado County sheriff’s Lt. Pete Van Arnum, “Firing a firearm in the South Shore basin area is a county ordinance violation, a misdemeanor.”
I would like to see this ordinance, I don’t think it exists, please show us!
There are basic distance laws from inhabited buildings and roads but as far as an ordinance from discharging a firearm anywhere in the South Shore basin, I find that hard to believe.
I live on Ottawa, I saw a man with a rifle (could have been a BB gun) last week across the street in the woods (forest service land) and he had two dogs. My roommate and I didn’t think much of it until now. There’s no way that neighbor (Setnor) did this. He’s all about protecting the wildlife and is extremely loving to all animals. And I saw a guy with the rifle (definitely not the neighbor as he’s elderly and won’t even walk his dog in the winter bc of a broken hip a couple winters back when he slipped on the ice). There was definitely a younger (probably 30-40 year old) white male, although I never saw a vehicle, so I assumed that maybe he was out on a walk in the woods and had a gun to protect himself. Those coyotes are pretty big and they roll in packs. I constantly have to keep an eye in my dog (the coyote Twinkie). The police just drive up and down the street they never stop to ask if we’ve seen anything which I find weird as there’s always someone home.
This photo just broke my heart….
THE SHOOTER BECAME THE THING THEY HATE.
@barf12-prescient? I think not. As far as the Mensa jab: they offered, I rejected them. I forget who said they don’t want to be a part of an organization that wants them as a member…but I think it was Groucho Marx.
@MoralHazard…coyotes rarely hunt deer…cougars, on the other hand, do…and cars will kill them every time they come in contact with them.
I witnessed 2 coyotes stalking a deer, didn’t see them take it down, but they were aggressively following it, and the deer was stressed trying to keep ahead of them. This was in the Blackwood/Pioneer Trail area.
@Moral does this mean if I live in the lake valley area I can set up my trap machine?
It funny how many tree huggers and animal activists are in this basin yet out of all the places I have lived tahoe has the worst management of the forest and wildlife I have ever seen. The forest is dead and the only animals are the bears and coyotes that live off the people. Every where else they hunt and log so the forests are healthy. In utah they pay you $50 dollars for a set of coyote ears. If I can legally bow hunt coyote in the basin then I am definitely going to start!
@ hmmm, Coyotes rarely hunt deer? I have a picture of a Coyote with a fawn in it’s mouth, would you like to see it?
Ottawa street is completely residential and borders the golf course. The use of firearms would be illegal in this scenario. But we’re missing the point, the coyote was needlessly killed. By any method it is disgraceful and cowardly.
Coyotes and bears are not the enemies. They do what is instinctual for them to do for the sake of survival. Rather than crying, “There are too many of them” or “They’re too aggressive” (which most often seems to translate into “We need to kill them”) humans need to change their behavior! Where there is not an easy food source left for bears or coyotes (i.e. trash, animal food, and (most sadly) beloved pets roaming the streets) there is not a problem. Human carelessness creates these problems. Human carelessness needs to be addressed and stopped. Humans who are careless lead to the NEEDLESS killing of bears and coyotes. Those humans need to be held accountable, legally, for their actions. If you cannot responsibly co-exist in a wilderness area you have no business living in one. There are plenty of places to live where wildlife is not an issue.
The Lt is wrong, you may shoot within the basin. The round must be buckshot (32 cal) or smaller (no rifles / handguns). You also must follow laws regarding shooting close to occupied dwellings (State / local laws). People hunt ducks off of Tayler Creek every fall. Further, once you are beyond Saxon Creek the Lake Valley Firearm restrictions do not apply.
@ Hmmm, Coyotes rarely hunt deer? Take a look at this.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/Don-at-Tahoe/1079711_645120095506109_1011544668_n_zps80418e0b.jpg
Bambi didn’t get away on that one… Coyotes love baby dear and yes that is why we don’t see them in the basin. After a few years of coyotes getting their baby’s they have ether moved on into hope valley or died off. I have backpacked all of the rim trail and most of the pct. You hear coyotes but not like here in town. I have had a coyote come up to my car like I was going to give it a treat. All animals have there place but it is the things WE have done and contributed that have affected the natural balance. The population in south lake is far from a natural balance.
http://emammal.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/do-coyotes-cause-deer-declines/
I don’t think Lt. Arnum was ever asked. He does or should know firearms are absolutely legal in South Shore.
? I think as long as you pick up 100% of the debris you are good as long as you follow the standard setbacks. But the chances of you being able to pick up 100% of the debris is almost nil, so I think you would get a ticket for littering. It would have nothing to do with discharging a firearm, which we have proven is totally legal.
The issue with this story is A.)A cruel and pointless killing of an innocent animal. B.)Shooting high powered rifles, notice the bullet hole in the coyote’s neck, into the National Forest can not only kill wildlife but humans, kids, and domestic animals alike. This needs to be addressed.
This debate is getting a bit off topic. The article clearly states that no shots were heard. If a “High Powered Rifle” was used… all of Meyers would have heard it, especially the people that live in close proximity to where the coyote was hunted.
The real question that arises is: why are the coyotes on Ottowa street so fearless towards humans? The answer is: Some misguided self proclaimed animal lovers are feeding them on a regular basis. Although their hearts are most likely in the right place, Feeding coyotes is plain and simple the reason for their lack of caution around humans. Lack of caution that can and will result in more coyote-people conflicts. I.e. small pets and or children being attacked, and coyotes being killed.
“Co-existing” is a term used countless times in this debate. This does not mean feeding… or for lack of a better term “Baiting” them. It is just not a good way to show your apreciation for such a majestic creature.
I do agree that neighborhoods like Ottowa street should be, and are illegal to discharge a firearm for sporting purposes, and I was always under the impression that discharging a firearm in the basin is illegal all together. But again… the neighbors were interviewed and not one heard a shot.
@ ADMIN, is this true?
This is from El Dorado County sheriff’s Lt. Pete Van Arnum, “Firing a firearm in the South Shore basin area is a county ordinance violation, a misdemeanor.”
@moral by “100% of the debris” are you talking about the fully biodegradable clays? Or going after every last pellet of shot?
? Why would you want to? The range in Carson is great and you wont get a littering ticket. Plus you wont be leaving a mess which is the real issue. On Forest Service land you would definitely get a ticket. They are sick of people littering with clays for good reason.
But I don’t know the definitive answer to that. I just know that the statement that discharging a firearm in the south shore is illegal is completely false.
Biodegradeable clays take 2-3 years to fully degrade and I am sick of the mess some group left just a short walk into the forest, on a forest road at the end of Miztek in Tahoe Paradise. For three days over the week between Christmas and New Years “someone” was firing a number of weapons (not simultaneously) in that area disturbing my peace, upsetting my animals and littering the forest. I called the EDSO and was told that it is not illegal to shoot in that area and they do it all the time. Well, I’ve lived in the area since ’99….and I don’t recall that much shooting, ever.
Maybe we need a range in the basin. EDSO told me the closest is in Carson. Don’t get me wrong, I own guns of my own, just don’t need to fire them off along a fire road where people and their animals walk frequently and then leave my debris behind as a further slap in the face.
I suspect this Coyote was shot with a bow, the arrow did a through and through and can resemble a bullet hole, not illegal with a valid hunting license.
@marcus, you can bow hunt any in season animal within the basin with a valid license and tag. The DFG area tags for the CA side are d3-5 for deer and bear, just don’t let them run into someones yard like this guy did.
To those looking for a place to shoot, there is also a very nice facility in Gardnerville which is maintained by DCSO. Go out Pine Nut Road to the dump and follow the signs to the range. There is a $2 per vehicle fee. It is well maintained and clean. They have tables; you need to bring your own chairs and targets.
See ya there.
Coyote fur makes an awesome coat, or a nice rim on a jacket hoodie. The meat isn’t bad either on a teriaki kabob. Cayobob. Taste like chicken jk, its more of a cross between a bald eagle and a spotted owl.
How do they know he only own a bb gun? Did they go into his house and do a search? Men of his age do not only own a bb gun. I am sorry I just don’t buy it. And the animal was just too close to his house. A man with a truck and 2 dogs do not roam a no shoot area and broadcast they are going to shoot a coyote!!! This story was trumped after the guy knew he was suspected. And the dogs of this lone trucker would be chasing the coyote. Maybe he didn’t mean to shoot it…….I will give him that much but only that much. In closing I would only like to add this………the authorities may not be able to pin this on you but God knows who you are and He saw what you did! His wrath is much more severe as it has no boundaries and his vengeance will be acted in His good time……….you cannot escape from God. Shame on you!! You are nothing but a smuck killing something so defenseless for the pure evil. Wonder how many other innocent animals you have killed. And someone can be a total advocate of wildlife and still shoot a coyote. Ever hear of karma??
Although Lake Tahoe News refuses to correct this story, the other paper accurately quoted Lt. Van Arnum accurately.
So even while there is no attempt at accurately reporting this here: In fact it is legal to discharge firearms in Tahoe and there is only one area, the Lake Valley Firearm Control area that limits the type of firearm to a shotgun.
John … you are Moral Hazard,
I did quote Lt. Pete Van Arnum correctly. It would be hard not to since he wrote it in an email: “Firing a firearm in the South Shore basin area is a county ordinance violation, a misdemeanor.”
This is in an above comment.
Kathryn Reed, LTN publisher
This is to address the comments about deer in the basin. I live in the Angora Fire area, and have frequently noticed a herd in the area near my home. The herd contained about 14-16 deer, including a couple of fawns. Prior to the fire, I might see one or two around Sawmill Pond.
@marlena martin:
All the God talk…. look in your closet, you will probably find more than one pair of leather shoes. Look in your fridge, meat too i bet. Check your facts before speaking for the lord… who by the way wore leather sandals and ate meat. But I’ve heard he hates hypocrites, and treats them not unlike the way you explained in your ignorant post.
I happen to agree with marlenamartin, the only justice will probably be made with his maker. How many cases of animal cruelty and animal killings go unpunished? I can think of the one instance, West Shore when a bear was killed,where it seemed to point to one person in particular but nothing really came of the case.
I live next to the angora burn area by gardner mountian. I love hiking the trails in that area with my 80 pound lab. He has been attacked three times by coyotes now in the last two years. I refuse to use a leash he needs to run free. I take my rifle out with me every time I go now. I will shoot and kill if they attack again. I have never seen such an imbalance of coyotes untill I moved here ten years ago. Time to do something about this problem!
What are the humane ways to kill an animal?
Can we please set the record straight. The paper never called my home. John or I we’re never aware of a coyote that had been slaughtered. After living in our home for thirty years I cannot even believe anyone would ever think John or I would ever hurt any animal. I hope that Lieutenant VanArnum will follow up on this matter….. John openly offered the police to search our home, we have never owned a weapon of any kind…. the fellow who alerted the police assumed….and you know what happens when you assume. Lake Tahoe Wildlife care has worked with us in the past with a number of injured animals that John and I we’re able to help rehab. No one is more disturbed than we are and I only wish the facts we’re reported correctly.
Lynn, when were you or your husband first aware of a shot or killed coyote in your backyard?
Hi Kerry:
We were only made aware of a coyote killing when the Animal control showed up, however he could not find a blood trail….. First time we were really aware of an animal actually being show is when Lieutenant Van Arnum showed up and accused John of killing the animal… and I will say it again… JOHN OFFERED THE LIEUTENANT TO SEARCH OUR ENTIRE HOME, BECAUSE WE DO NOT, AND NEVER HAVE OWNED A GUN…. the BB gun we have was bought last year so I could keep the ground squitrels at the back of my yard to feed…. I don’t stop them from feeding I just need for them to be where the food is and where there is fresh water (our pond)… not tunneling into the house from under our deck….
I encourage anyone to ask questions because we have nothing to hide…. I have the girl from Lake Tahoe News meeting us at our home at 1pm on Monday and I hope when she leaves she will set the record straight
Hey Lynn : You can go to the animal control office and get a copy of the report. I recommend that you do look to see exactly what is in it. It may contain false info that you need to prepare for, or it may contain info that you agree with and want made public. Either way, you should take a look at what that report contains.
@ tahoehunter-i looked at your picture. what’s your point? meteors rarely hit the ground. I have a chunk of one on my desk. perhaps you confused the word rarely with the word never.
@ moral hazard-did you read the article you posted a link to? i did. it stated that coyote predation DOES NOT significantly effect deer populations.
thanks Tahoe Pizza eater I will do that, I have his name and will call to get a report… thanks
Hey maybe the Coyote was High on Ecstasy he wandered around got lost and Froze to Death.
the Cops have a gun range at the Airport, they shoot it up all the time
The plain and simple fact is, it was a damned coyote! These things are varmints! All you people so distraught over a damned coyote being killed, why do you live in the country?
People kill varmints all the time! It was an illegal act according to the law, but perfectly legal at any other locale.
Culling them when they are over-populated might be kinder then them all starving to death slowly. I’m fairly certain that one didn’t know what hit him!
Whats distressful is when someone catches a neighbors dog that was after their chickens, muzzles him, then stabs him twice with a machete right in front of the owners. This happened in Placerville last week! No clean kill there….
Points…
1. Legal or not.
2. Evil or not.
3. Humane or not.
Though I agree that the killing of the coyote (personally, I appreciate them), was probably outside the law, and unnecessary…the bloggers here do not have all of the facts. I do not have the facts.
I must say, that though I love the Setnors, people like them, purposefully feeding the wildlife, tend to have the opposite affect on the critters they love. By habituating the squirrels, ground and tree, …bears, birds, coyotes, etc., the Setnors and those like them have set our wildlife up for failure. Over time, human “caring behavior” tends to backfire, and put our wildlife in a position to fail, period.
I don’t agree with the hap-hazard of just shooting them because they are here. But many people let little Fee-fee out to piss and crap anywhere without a watchful eye is asking for your mutts to be attacked.
Just as there is a law about shooting, there is also a leash law. Protect your mutts with a leash and be with them while they are pissing and pooping. Coyote’s are just doing what they do. But if one comes onto your property and endangers your legally confined pets, then dispatch them without hesitation. You have that legal right. If you don’t think that right is good…then move back to the liberal city you came from.
Predators and natural prey are made out of balance by over-protecting them to the point they start attacking pets and people when they run out of natural prey like the little girl mauled a few years ago. Over protecting any wild animal always leads to trouble. The people should have a right to manage wildlife populations without all of the foolish emotion of people who have no idea what the cycle of nature is and the ones who don’t know that coyotes often don’t wait until an animal is even dead before they eat it and this includes your missing poodle and cat. The problem is the people who don’t think twice that in over-protecting predators they will doom other animals like deer in the basin which are almost never seen anymore. It is really too bad that animal control can’t control severe over populations of wild predators like coyotes as part of their job while on patrol.
Pretty much, when humans get involved with Nature,we screw it up. It’s a given fact. I wish humans would just let nature be, but I guess the liberals can’t help themselves. They always HAVE to cram their ideals down others throats. Animals are going to do what they do. Humans can only try and keep them in the wild as much as possible. But if not, and the wild has to be dispatched…then don’t whine. If you have issue with us legally protecting up here, then go back to where you came from! You have no business up here and commenting.
@GASPEN ASPEN-do you really want to turn THIS political? Really? TROLL.
I spent many years in Tahoe as a child. We used to go hunting, fishing and four wheeling all the time. It now appears by the comments in this section that the Tahoe area is now infested with no nothing liberals that have no idea what living in a rural area is.
Coyotes are vermin. They kill my sheep and calves when given the opportunity. If anything needs to be cleaned out of Tahoe its the Liberal tards that live there and no nothing about gun laws and real conservation/hunting. I am disgusted with PETA types that do nothing for wildlife but will be the first to complain about what is right or wrong.
@Taperx I am glad you don’t live here anymore. I am so tired of hearing the vermin thing, they have a right to live just as you or I. Your comments are ignorant and come from the 19th century. Do you KNOW the difference between “no” and “know”?
Yes Arod i do know the difference its just that my fingers don’t always follow suit. Its typical for a libtard to go on the personal attack when it comes to this sort of rhetoric isn’t it? Coyotes are a nuisance, they need to be thinned out in the whole state of CA and i am glad that one is dead. Hunters contribute 1000% more money to conservation than any anti hunt group in America. So who is the ignorant one now? How much do you give to help conserve wildlife? When you can give me facts to back up your heart felt sorrow for the poor coyote i will reconsider my statement. I will wait for your response. LOL! Still waiting….
Taperx and gaspen aspen you sound just like cjpubworksbitter clinger. What ignorant but openings you are. Just because someone has a democratic love thy neighbor attitude you have to throw some label on them. Well here are some labels for you, ignorant, narrow minded stupid red neck gun loving killers. How abour them apples but openings…
go figure, Would you like to answer the question i asked of Arod? I didn’t think so. Its so fun when someone speaks from their heart like you do instead of using your mind. You actually make it so easy to validate my point that most libtards are short on facts and endorse feel good, do nothing CA legislation. Talk to me about things when beef and lamb is $20 a lb for hamburger because the drought, coyotes and lions are killing off your food. LOL
wow …. i wonder what hippy tastes like.
i know just what it means when you describe how “they walk singly but not in packs”, and in town you say? this will not end well. do what you can to have it be someone elses kid.
you might want to google “coyote deaths” to get used to the idea.
with the thousand or so extra bears to deal with (well not me i don’t live in the mountains) this year things should get interesting for we that would prefer game management be done by trained biologists rather than wannabe civil rights activists.
LOL. People crying over a mangy sub species of dog, vermin a general nuisance.
OK so be it, let them all live. No problem. While we are at it, let’s let Mother Nature have her way and repair/ replenish the forest like it was intended to be. No help from man to abade the fires, floods or any other natural occurrence. Too bad if you home is destroyed in the process, it natures way.
To think, the state would save billions of dollars by doing nothing. That money could then be put to better use on other social programs.
sounds fishy to me.
this kill with a high powered rifle ,yet no one heard the shot?
that could only mean a silencer and that can’t be, those permits are too hard to get.
you would have to be a .gov hunter doing animal control. lol
you folks sure you aren’t paying the county to take out the trash and just don’t know it?
Hahaha. Jeez, so many granola munchers here. The place I work at lost a few chickens to coyotes recently. What about those poor chickens? The day after I finally saw him/her/it and shot at it, and missed, :( it came back with a friend and the farm owner shot at them, and missed lol. We have not lost any lambs or kids… yet.
My previous coyote I shot turned out to have a decent hide even though I made a few mistakes tanning it.
If you people are truly concerned about wildlife. You should dismantle your houses that were built on what was pristine wilderness, but is now just a playground for the rich . Remove the septic, driveway etc and go move in an apartment somewhere in the city. Hunting or killing a coyote only removes one for a very short time, habitat loss is forever.
I am the coyote master killed more coyotes then anyone here.
Its amazing that this is news. There are two dead ones down the hiway from me. Am I supposed to call CHP and report them as fatal hit and runs? Is this going to make the news? I looked up method of take in the DFW regs and it does not include autos so clearly these are unlawful killings. Two dead coyotes on the hiway within a few miles of each other, could be the work of a serial killer.
Taperx I stand by my comments and nothing you write will make me feel otherwise. I hope a coyote, mtn lion or bear gets to feast on your smelly carcus someday. That would be my wish…
Looks like someone must have used a deadly assault weapon with a high capacity tactical clip. Good shooting who ever did it.
One day all you folks that like to shoot animals for fun will get your just desserts, hopefully the varmits will get you when you least expect it, than there truly will be justice…
I like look the fur gives my jackets. My kids like tracking them and skinning. The meat makes good stews and jerky.
Wishing death on someone, that’s a really intelligent argument.
go figure…. likes to live in a fact-free world while he safely hurls invective anonymously from behind a monitor.
What’s really funny is that people like you are so sure you have all the answers and unhesitatingly display what you believe is righteous indignation, when the true fact is you are clueless about the natural world and its workings.
When your beliefs are questioned, you consider it a personal attack and lash out. You belong in a city where the government takes care of everything, not out in nature mucking up the very thing you profess to want to save.
Oh ye who cast stones shouldn’t live in glass houses.
If nature is your primary care, demolish your houses, leave no trace of your human presence and forever move out. Nature will heal herself without your help.
But, now to return to the topic on hand. Your whining about one coyote! All up in arms over one coyote? I could see you having an issue over a slaughter of an entire pack of coyotes in a single area within city limits, but one? Hardly an issue! So let’s get the facts. One dead coyote in an incorporated area-not within city limits, not one gunshot heard, conflicting quoted regulations on discharge if a fire arm{ to be expected, we have way too many conflicting and vague laws on the books, judges can’t even interpret them right} , no witnesses, not a protected species, residents admit tingly feed the fawna and then use a BBQ gun to keep them from tunneling under the deck, confirmed pet attacks by local coyote pack, a lot of speculation that the coyote was poached, not one fish and game quote. See a pattern? Looks to be real poor factitional reporting, just using a key fact ( dead coyote) just to raise ferver and promote a political agenda.
So to reiterate, the next fire that comes a rolling through. Petition your local, county and state officials to Not allow the forest service fire fighters to do their job. Let nature take her course and replenish the forest naturally, chock up the loss of your personal possessions as just a fact living within natures beautiful forests. If you don’t like that, then you have no right to chastise a person or group for one dead coyote.
Just a side note, I haven’t seen one person get all up in arms about banning automobiles for the meaningless deaths if so many deer on the roads on your area. Shame on you!
Nature bats last – if you truly seek justice for the animals, move the hell out of their environment and leave them be. You cannot live there without screwing things up, no matter how much “compassion” you wear on your sleeves at the coffee house or mow many crocodile tears you shed for all to show how sensitive you are.
Go figure, no one is trying to make you change your mind. I am simply trying to show the people that read this how uneducated some are and how people in the newly populated Tahoe area have turned into animal hating people who are against hunting but all for taking the animals habitat away from them and thinking thats OK. You are the epitome of the anti-conservationist and are the reason why deer, ducks, bears and other species struggle to do well in YOUR habitat.
I make jerky out of coyote. Its good! Post your address if you want some and i will send it to you. No i don’t expect you to actually put you address here but i do make Jerky and its good.
PCH, do you really? Can you post up a recipe?
To all those complaining that the wildlife should be left alone: Unless you are a vegan with 100% animal free everything and do not live in any territory curerntly or previsouly occupied by any form of wildlife you displaced, you’re just a hypocrite of another flavor. Continue preaching from your soapbox of uninformed self-righteous indignation, we’ll keep killing coyotes, and not really caring what you thik of it, seeing as your hypocrisy renders your opinion moot, and keeping them in check is what needs to be done, whether you agree with it or not..
Better yet, maybe we should wait til the coyotes have killed all the feral cats THEN kill the coyotes. It’s a win/win. One type of vermin rids us of another type, then we finish the job.
Besides, letting them starve would just be cruel. It’s much more kind and humane to let them be a nice cozy coat instead. And a hat. I want a coyote hat. The kind with the face still attached.
Defenition of Murder – the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.
Shootin a coyote is not murder. I think the coyote was either being harvested or was killed for the simple fact of protecting ones own property.
Tree huggers, I cannot get my head that far up my butt to see why you are so bothered. You are not worried about our soldiers being shot by terrorists.
Comments are being turned off. Time to move on.
LTN staff