Huge Coyote - Where'd the Post Go?

[Daveinthebush]

I recieved this from a friend today.  It concers the huge coyote that I posted about a while back. The story gets more interesting. :roll:  

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Preddice" <tlpreddi@gw.dec.state.ny.us>
To: <hulbertranch@northernfcu.net>
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 8:25 AM
Subject: Re: New York State Record Coyote IS BOGUS


> Just thought you should know that a coyote hunter shot (Edinburg, NY
> -western Saratoga Co.) what he thought was a very large (~85 lb) coyote
> early winter /last Fall. He was to have a full mount done by a local
> taxidermist until he learned it would cost over $600, so he had the hide
> tanned.  He had the skull sent off to Syracuse (SUNY Syracuse ?) for DNA
> testing.  Results found the animal to be a full - blooded grey wolf
> (timber wolf).  This is a protected species not known to be wandering in
> NYS.  It is against the law to have in possession any parts from
> endangered species.  Federal agents and a NYS Conservation Officer
> showed up at the hunter's residence and confiscated the pelt.   Was this
> wolf introduced by an Adirondack sympathizer who wanted the return of
> wolves, was it an escaped/released pet or did this animal wander into to
> NYS from who knows where?

[WNY_Whitetailer]

I sure would like to know the "true" story about this...Seems more fiction than actual fact floating around...How can so many people hear so many different stories...

Oh well, maybe Bubba removed the post?  :?

[rebAL]

I saw a picture in local sporting goods store & talked with store personnel who had first hand knowledge.  I also read that some person from Maine (Likely a PETA internet prowler) tipped off DEC who initiated the DNA test leading to confiscation.
On another note, I saw a stuffed mtn. lion on display at local DEC office with notice stating the mount was being confiscated & owner fined for posession.  He tried to sell it in classified section of paper & some scumbag reported it to DEC. I think there`s a lesson to be learned here.

[Mikey]

Hay Dave:  I don't doubt we will see more and more grrey wolves coming into NYS from Canada.  It is a free range for them and the whitetail population and turkey population here is quite abundant and that may draw them in.  As you know, our eastern coyote is much larger than its western counterpart, by about half.  

I've read a couple of analyses about those animals and it seems that over the past 15 years or so the main staple of diet has gone from 80% small game and 20% whitetail to 80% whitetail and 20% small game, due in large part I am sure to the burgeoning whitetail population we enjoy here.  And, of course, let's not forget that they are well fed - on the prized and expensive shrubberies the NYC transplants to the northern part of the state feel they absolutely must have in their front yards (lol).  Just my two cents worth, though.  Mikey.