Coyotes in Their Economic Relations

"Coyotes in Their Economic Relations" by David E. Lantz is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This bulletin, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Biological Survey in 1905, examines the economic impact of coyotes on agriculture, particularly focusing on the sheep industry in the western United States. The work highlights the coyote's habits, food sources, and their detrimental effects on livestock, while also discussing methods of control and protection against these predators. In this comprehensive report, Lantz outlines the various aspects of coyote life, from their abundance across the U.S. to their diet, which includes both beneficial and harmful prey. He emphasizes the negative economic consequences of coyote depredations on ranchers and sheep farmers, citing significant losses in livestock. The document explores various strategies for managing coyote populations—including poisoning, trapping, hunting, and the introduction of coyote-proof fencing—as possible solutions to alleviate the pressures coyotes place on agricultural activities. Lantz's research advocates for practical measures that could enhance sheep production while restoring coyotes' ecological roles as natural predators of harmful rodent species.