The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 07:22 PM

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency: Coyote Population Not Growing But Creatures "Not Going Anywhere"

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (SOURCE: WVLT, WIRES) -- The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency said Wednesday, they get more calls about coyotes than anything else.

Wildlife experts said they do not believe the coyote population is growing, but they "ain't goin' nowhere."

East Tennessean Thomas Allen has never considered himself a huge hunter, but he said it's just something he's always done.

He said he has a problem with coyotes because they prey on what he enjoys hunting, and they don't fear humans.

"They just crouch down and creep a little closer," he explained.

Folks in East Tennessee have expressed concern for their pets, wildlife and live stock, turning to the internet for help killing the coyotes they think were responsible.

"I'll remove your nuisance if you give me permission to take a deer or two," offered Allen.

It's hard for Allen to get around, after a serious accident in 1992 left him unable to walk.

"My parents were informed that if they wanted to see their child again, they should get to the hospital ASAP," Allen recalled.

Since the accident, Allen began answering people's calls for help, dealing with coyotes in exchange for using close-by hunting property.

"Like a barter," he added.

Contrary to popular belief, TWRA explained coyotes typically do not rely on pets and garbage for food. Evidence showed they mostly feast on small rodents