Every so often, I'll read that the local government of an Illinois town has issued a warning to its residents about the threat of coyotes roaming the area. It often happens when a resident finds that its pet dog or cat has disappeared from the backyard and cannot be found anywhere. Must be coyotes, right?

I am no coyote sympathizer, but many times these furry eating machines take the rap for other predators. A hawk can easily fly off with a pet tabby. An owl can pick up a small dog or pup in its talons and make off with it in a matter of seconds. Packs of feral dogs can, and do, kill pets and livestock. In the southern part of our state, you have to watch out for packs of feral pigs. There are plenty of predators roaming Illinois other than coyotes.

Knowing this, is there a reason to be wary of coyotes? The University of Illinois Extension reports, "While coyote attacks on humans are increasing in some suburban areas in the western United States, there have been no reported coyote attacks on humans in Illinois in the last 30 years."

That makes me feel a little comfortable, but there is no way I'd ever leave a toddler unattended in a rural area. That's just common sense.

Are dogs and cats at risk? They certainly are, and even though I offered hawks and owls as possible culprits, animal control experts have been able to determine for certain that many attacks on animals have come from coyotes.

Even if your dog or cat is a large breed, you may be at risk. It is known that a pack of coyotes can ambush and take down a whitetail deer. I don't think that size is a deterrent to coyotes.

My friend Bob Behrendt of McHenry let his pet Alaskan malamute out one night for a bathroom break. He told me he felt an eerie feeling and looked out his patio door. He saw his pet being circled by three coyotes. They were stalking the malamute, looking for the opportunity for one of the scavengers to jump onto the dog's back and take him down. Behrendt was able to save the day by yelling and screaming and throwing some oranges from a nearby bowl at the coyotes. They took off running.

I have had people report that they have seen a coyote or two on their backyard deck. I have been told about a pack of coyotes that howl at a pet dog from a distance of about 10 feet from the property's electrical fence. These shrewd animals learned that the pet would not go any farther than the boundary of the fence. It is plain to see that the coyotes are fearless and quite wily.

Are coyotes valuable in the grand scheme of things? On first look, it wouldn't appear so. Coyotes live in 49 of our United States. To the best of my knowledge, coyotes are available to be hunted in every state, 12 months a year, with no limits and with very few restrictions. It would seem that limits like that show no use for these animals. In actuality, coyotes hold a place in the food chain and keep smaller pests and vermin under control.

The coyote problem is two-fold. One is that we keep intruding on nature as we expand our living areas into the wilds that were previously only populated by animals. We now live in coyote territory. We are the intruders for the most part. Secondly, we offer too many opportunities for the coyotes to feed, grow and prosper.

Control of coyotes is under the auspices of the IDNR. Local authorities can offer tips on avoiding coyote problems but can do nothing else. I spoke to representatives from the animal control departments from both Lake and McHenry counties and they resoundingly said that keeping food away from coyotes is the most important thing in keeping them away from residential areas.

I was told that pets should never be fed outside. The dog or cat food that you leave out is a magnet for coyotes. Also, people should never feed wildlife, not deer, not raccoons, not even squirrels. I was surprised to hear the advice of making sure that the grease drippings pan under charcoal and gas grills is always cleaned out after each use is extremely important. Coyotes love the taste of that grease.

Garbage cans should be sealed. Just putting the tops on isn't good enough. The cans should have locking tops or you should weigh the tops down with something substantial. It's not just raccoons that love tipping over garbage containers to sift through the tasty trash.

If you'd like to take the time to learn about these extremely interesting creatures, I'd like to recommend a book I recently read. "Myths and Truths About Coyotes" by Carol Cartaino is very well-researched, entertaining and quite informative. It's a Menasha Ridge Press book and is available at retailers everywhere and on the web at suites like Amazon.

Cartaino explains everything about the coyote from its description to its genealogy to its behavioral patterns.

There have been many governmental attempts to place bounties on coyotes with the intent of eliminating them. Every attempt, although claiming the lives of animals by the tens of thousands, has been unsuccessful. The number of coyotes in our country and our local area is increasing annually. We have to learn how to coexist with them, plain and simple.


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My last article, the one about the proposed "Bikini Buck Shot" television pilot, created quite a stir. I'll make my final comments about it and then close the book.

I have a thick skin and most insults get ignored. I do appreciate differences of opinions and even enjoy discussing them. That is why my e-mail address is available. Heck, I'll even give you my phone number if you'd like to have a discussion by phone.

I will say that I did research that particular column very well, using all of the information that was provided to me by the producers. I do not consider my opinions to be the gospel and believe it or not, my mind is quite open to new experiences and new methods of doing things. That is, as long as they are worthwhile and do not make hunters or fishermen look like complete idiots.

If you want to see television shows that show women hunters in a great light, check out "Archer's Choice" with Vicki and Ralph Cianciarulo or "The Crush" with Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, both on the Outdoor Channel. Shows like these are what will bring more women and families into the world of hunting.

 •••

Northern Illinois – Dave Kranz from Dave's Bait and Tackle in Crystal Lake reports: "Warmer days are helping to bring up water temps. Fish the north sides of the lakes around sea walls, logs or rock. Crappies will take small fathead minnows. Bluegills can be caught on ice jigs and a wax worm. Rat-L-Traps or Chatterbaits are great spring bass baits. Call 815-455-2040 for updated reports."
For up-to-the-minute water conditions on the Fox Chain and Fox River, go to http://www.foxwaterway.state.il.us/ or call 847-587-8540.

Southern Wisconsin – Shore fishing from the harbors has been slow and the boats are just starting to be launched on Lake Michigan. You can call Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Fishing Hotline at 414-382-7920 to hear the latest fishing information for Lake Michigan and its tributaries.

Geneva bluegill action has been good in tiny ice jigs and waxies near pier pilings. Delavan crappies are taking minnows and the gills are good in the channels. Darrell Baker says the bigger gills are near the center of the channels while the big numbers are near the piers.

He's back! Todd Graf of Huntley ran www.huntingnet.com on the web for a number of years, growing it into one of the most visited sites on the Net in the world of the outdoors. After a two-year absence, Graf is back with www.bowhunting.net . It is as good his past effort, if not even better. If you are in the –sticks-and-string brigade, check it out. I am sure the wealth of information the site provides will put a smile on your face. Welcome back, Todd!

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Bob Kerans, founder of the Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail, reports that the group has established a new youth program for 2011, called the Youth Honor Roll.

The purpose is to honor Illinois youth anglers and to promote fishing practices that support conservation. Kids participating who catch a muskie will get a plaque engraved with their name and info about the fish. There is no cost for participating.

Bob Kerans, found of the Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail says successful anglers will receive a wood plaque with an engraved plate including the youth's name and the particulars of the catch. For more information or for an entry form, please go to www.illmuskie.com/youthtrail.shtml.

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Walleyes Unlimited has around 450 members that reside in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois.  They have two meetings a month and many of its members attend both meetings. In Wisconsin, they meet on the second Wednesday of each month at Root River Lanes, 7220 W. Rawson, in Franklin. It is three miles west of I-94 on County BB (Rawson Avenue). The April 13 meeting starts at 7 p.m. and features Dan Nowak talking about "Night Fishing on Lake Delavan."

In Illinois, the club meets on the last Wednesday of the month at the Gurnee American Legion, 749 Milwaukee Ave., 2 miles east of Gurnee Mills Mall on Grand Ave. (Route 132), near the intersection of Milwaukee Ave. (Rt. 21). The speaker for the April 27, 7:00 p.m. meeting is walleye champion, Mike Gofron from Antioch. Check www.walleyesunlimitedusa.org for more information.

• Steve Sarley is the host of "The Outdoors Experience" radio show Sunday mornings at 5 a.m. on WIND AM-560. The show can also be heard anytime at his Web site, www.oexperience.com. Contact Sarley at lcjedit@lakecountyjournal.com.