April 2012 Gem Lake Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 Coyotes Spotted Regularly in Gem Lake (Continued from pg. 1) Coyotes resemble a small, lean German Shepherd with a bottle-shaped tail. Females average about 25 pounds, males average about 30. They usually prey on small mammals, but sometimes kill large mammals and livestock. They don't get along with their larger cousin, the timber wolf. Coyotes are nomadic animals, according to the DNR. Males can roam over territories as large as 36 square miles, though the females roam an average territory of about 6 square miles. Adult males may share the territory of two or more females, which may overlap the ranges of other males. Coyotes move two or three miles a day. Their predators are bears, wolves and human hunters. The DNR says they are found throughout the state, and in increasing numbers in the Metro area. They prefer a combination of farm land and forest. Most coyotes avoid people and domestic animals, but don't count on them leaving Fido alone. They have been known to occasionally kill sheep, turkeys and calves. They may also raid garbage cans and kill domestic cats and small dogs. There hasn't been a recorded attack on humans in Minnesota. However, attacks by urban coyotes on humans have been reported in other states. Experts think these attacks occur after a coyote has become accustomed to humans or are being fed by humans. (Super dumb) Gem Lake sightings are random and can be affected by the amount of traffic, light and noise in your immediate area. Council Member Rick Bosak said recently, "I saw three of them hunting through my yard and I am hoping they take down the rabbit population." Rick lives on Goose Lake Road. Across the lake Council Member Tom Rasmussen reports seeing fewer this year than last. "The mild winter has not seemed to benefit the coyote population as the noise and sightings from my vantage point, the south west edge of the lake, have been far less than last summer and fall. " However, two other residents who live nearby have seen coyotes recently and on a number of occasions. Planning Commission Chairperson Faith Kuny reports seeing lone coyotes three different times. Fritz Magnuson, who also lives on the southwest edge of the lake says "We have had a few encounters at our home, including a night time visit when we were having a bonfire with our grandchildren. We also have regularly found coyote scat in our dry river bed. We believe they had a den to the northwest of us and they roam freely through the woods to the east." Here are some things for the "DO" list: secure your garbage cans and bird feeders, confine small dogs or cats or supervise them when outside, consider installing coyote proof fencing in your outdoor pet areas, harass any coyotes that bother you by chasing, shouting and getting loud and obnoxious with any coyotes that don't run from you. Here are the "DONTs": don't feed them, don't leave pet food outside, don't allow your cats and small dogs or other pets outside unattended. The DNR considers coyotes to be "unprotected" in Minnesota, leaving their removal up to local authorities and landowners. However, most cities prohibit the use of traps, firearms, etc. without a city permit. This includes Gem Lake, which does not allow coyote hunting. Recycling Participation Strong (cont. from page 1) Another report done from a county level, ranked 16 cities in Ramsey County in terms of pounds of recycling per household for 2011. On this report, Gem Lake ranked 7th with an average of 447 pounds per household for the year. White Bear Township came in first, recycling an average of 639 pounds of materials per household for the year, closely followed by Arden Hills with 633 pounds. The two lowest ranking cities were Maplewood in last place, with 315 pounds per household and St. Paul, coming in second to last with 365 pounds per household. Household income, education and median home value did not appear to have a significant correlation on how much a household recycled. It is important to note, however, that this county report includes municipally sponsored drop-off sites and city clean up events in its total recycling numbers.