Hunting season in NOTL

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It’s hunting season in Niagara-on-the Lake. Rabbits are on the top of the list, but shooting coyotes is also legal in certain areas of NOTL. Residents aren’t just worried about coyotes, they’re also worried about hunters.

Thomas Oppenlander operates a farm in the area. While he’s never had a stand off with a coyote he says they’ve caused problems to their neighbours. “My neighbours have reported farm animals gone missing and seem to think that it is coyotes.”

Oppenlander and his family own about 8 farms, roughly 600 acres and as a grape grower coyotes are actually helpful, keeping rodents that damage their crops in check, but only if they keep their distance.

According to one councillor, the concern isn’t coyotes roaming in fields, it is the hunters that are causing the problems. “They get nervous, they are driving down the street they see a couple trucks pulled off the side of the road and they don’t think much about it until they go further ahead and a couple guys on the street with rifles.” Said NOTL councillor Martin Mazza.

Mazza says he’s heard from a number of concerned residents about hunters. Most of the town is open to hunting expect in areas such as Virgil, St.Davids, Queenston and the former town of Niagara.

Coyotes are usually hunted if they became a nuisance to farmers. All hunters need permission from owners to hunt on private property.