Rural Banter

Author: ERICA GOODMAN

Coydog: [ k dôg , -d g ] n. offspring of a coyote and a dog



From the moment of birth, mothers thrive on worrying about their children. What results is a long list of demands to ensure that their greatest fears do not lead to the demise of their offspring. My mother, of course, is no exception. Always wear your seatbelt. Don't forget the sunscreen. And finally, don't go running without your pepper spray! A strange request, one might think. My relatives live in all of the houses along my running route. The chances are very slim that an irate aunt or uncle will jump out of their house in a panty-hose mask to steal my wallet. But the root of my mother's concern is the villainous predator inhabiting the woods of North America - the coydog. They are a mangy beast whose soulful, child-like cry echoes through the mountains on many a starry evening.

The coydog's hunting strategies range from sheer predatorial to scavenger. He will dabble into a garden as well, sneaking vegetables when the urge strikes. The problem lies when our furry friend decides to specialize his taste. Whereas many Middlebury students are reluctant to eat anything other than Proctor fare, a coydog will sometimes choose to only feast on a single type of animal. Wyle E. Coyote chased the road runner but in the Northeast kingdom, a coydog often chooses an easier bait - domesticated livestock, deer and, according to my mother, 20-year-old joggers. The picky eating habits of the woodsy meat-eater become problematic when he steals chicken dinners and fresh steak from local farmers on a regular basis.

If you follow any local news, you know that the widespread presence of the coydog and his pureblooded cousin, the coyote, has been a topic of hot debate. For some, the solution is clear. Addison County hunters have been organizing coyote hunting parties to reduce the state's coyote population and protect the deer. Hunting is part of the area's culture, a practice that has bonded Vermonters for centuries and bolstered businesses too. Reducing the coydog and coyote population would protect the animals and the livelihood of area farmers. Uproar from the opposition surrounds sentiments that the practice is unethical - hunting one innocent species to stop it from hunting another hardly seems fair - and ultimately inefficient, since the nature of this beast is to procreate in proportion to their population threat.

The question of controlling a wild population is difficult to answer. Sure, mother may sleep better at night knowing her daughter will not have to ever try to outrun a coydog. Yet, she would also lose one of her favorite summer activities - sitting on the porch in the quiet of twilight and listening to the heart-breaking moans of the wild dogs as they embrace the darkness.