Letters to the Editor

Valley coyotes are here to stay

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte is one of our better representatives but like all congressmen he can't resist spending federal money in his district.

The $150,000 he acquired for coyote control in the Shenandoah Valley ("Congress to aid Valley battle against coyotes," Dec. 21) will have minimal effect and on a per-animal basis is quite expensive. Likewise bounties.

The Eastern coyote came along the Canadian border from the west, breeding with red wolves along the way and appeared in the New York Adirondacks in the early 1940s. It spread south following the burgeoning deer herds until it was firmly established in all states. 

Some biologists say the Eastern coyote's genetic characteristics are more wolf-like than coyote as they run 10 to 15 pounds larger than coyotes from the West. Coydogs are even larger but as the pups are born in the fall they don't survive the winters. Regardless, the Eastern coyote is here to stay and as wild canines control their populations in accordance with the food supply, we will have to put up with them. Coyotes are omnivorous and eat just about anything digestible, including fruits and vegetables. They particularly like watermelons. They are hard on small pets and even porcupines. They have learned to live, even in New York City.

Our population probably peaked about five years ago and is now stabilized. Deer are a dietary mainstay, but coyotes haven't hurt the deer herds here as they have in Vermont. I don't see many coyotes but did catch one in a trap in, of all places, my driveway.

Most coyotes do not damage livestock and there is a danger in removing innocent ones from a neighborhood to be replaced by livestock killers.

Coyotes may just restore the wildlife balance that existed when I came to Virginia, where we had many ground nesting birds and animals, such as quail. Because the animal rights people killed the fur trade there was a proliferation of coons, skunks and opossums, which took a heavy toll of traditional wildlife. Coyotes diminish these secondary predators.

Coyotes are here and we will have to accommodate to them as they are almost impossible to control.

Corbin Dixon

Staunton

-----

Return of lines at DMV are a shame

As a citizen and resident of these United states, state of Virginia, for 61 years — and a licensed driver in good standing for 45 years — I am adamantly opposed and "jumping-up-and-down mad" at the very thought of having to present myself and my birth certificate to DMV to renew my license ("DMV to renew long waits," Dec. 19). The online option has been a convenience I do not wish to relinquish.

Homeland Security — bah, humbug. The real security issue started with illegal aliens acquiring driving permits. Had I not been around since the covered wagons rolled across the plains, I would not object. What more do we have to step aside for- Our schools have changed to accommodate. Our stores, books, newspapers, utilities have changed to accommodate.

To those who wish to live here: Apply for legal status and citizenship. Learn the English language. Earn your stripes. Stand in line at DMV the first 10 years then you, too, may apply online. My days of standing in long lines at DMV to prove I am not a terrorist or illegal alien infringes on my birthright.

Joan Martin

Waynesboro