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February 28, 2018
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MONROE OUTDOORS by Terry W. Johnson
Will coyotes and foxes be content to share space in Monroe ?
W hen the first
European colo
nists set foot on
the eastern
shores of North
America, only one wild canine,
the gray fox, roamed what is
now Monroe County. However,
since then the red fox and coy
ote have also staked out territo
ries here.
Whenever
new species
arrive in areas
occupied by a
native species,
the question
always arises,
will the native
and alien spe
cies coexist?
A study
recently con
ducted on the
lands sur
rounding the
University of
Wisconsin’s
campus in Madison is shedding
light on whether or not coy
otes and red foxes can coexist
in urban areas. Although the
study did not include our local
native gray fox, it may shed
light on the coyote and red fox
populations living in Forsyth.
The first thing that strikes
me whenever I see a fox or
coyote is that they are actu
ally much smaller than you
would think. An average coyote
stands only about two feet tall
at the shoulder and can weigh
from 20-50 pounds (most weigh
20-25 pounds). Very large ani
mals can weigh upwards of 55
pounds. In comparison, a red
fox is only 15-16 inches tall and
Terry W. Johnson
weighs but seven to 12 pounds.
Since coyotes are much larger
and stronger than red foxes,
you would think coyotes can
easily out compete red foxes for
food. These canines also share
many of the same foods (e.g.
berries, small rodents, insects,
reptiles, and amphibians, to
name a few.) Several studies
have shown where the
ranges of coyotes and
red foxes overlap in wild
habitats, coyotes will
actually displace red
foxes. Additionally, they
will actually eat adult-
red foxes.
In 2015, Marcus
Mueller and his col
leagues launched a
study t.o determine if
the same held true in an
urban setting. The biolo
gists chose the campus
of the University of
Wisconsin in Madison as
the focal point of their
research. This area included a
wide range of urban habitats,
such as, residential communi
ties, parks, a college campus
and commercial properties.
The group captured and
radio-collared 11 coyotes and 12
red foxes and closely monitored
their movements from January
2015 through December 2016.
Prior t.o the study the
researchers hypothesized the
study would demonstrate coy
otes would force out red foxes
living in the same area. What,
t-hey discovered was truly sur
prising. According to study
leader Mueller, “They were
a lot closer together than
we thought they we going to
be. They’re potentially
able to coexist better
in urban areas.”
Unlike red foxes in
rural areas, which
often simply move out.
when their territories
are invaded by coy
otes, the red foxes in
this study area stayed
put. In one instance
the researchers record
ed a vixen did not.
become alarmed when
coyotes scavenged
scraps of food near her
den housing two pups
several times over a
month. In fact, the
female kept her young
at that location until
they were old enough to hunt,
for themselves.
In another instance, research
ers were transfixed when they
had the rare opportunity to
watch a fox and a coyote calmly
hunting for food for over an
hour in the same field within
20 yards of one another.
Some of their findings reflect,
ot-her studies that have shown
coyotes in urban areas prefer
to live in the less developed
portions of this urban environ
ment. However, coyotes showed
no hesitation making forays
into more developed landscapes
at times of the day when they
were less likely to encounter
humans.
On the other hand, red foxes
seemed to prefer open areas
and even more developed
habitats as long as they were
coyote-free. However, in those
spots where the ranges of these
two predators overlapped they
were much more
tolerant of one
another than
the two species
might have been
in rural settings.
Although the
researchers have
not definitively
determined
why coyotes
and red foxes
seem to coexist,
bet.ter in urban
situations, they
strongly believe it related to
availability of food.
Within our communities, food
is often far more abundant than
it is in the wild. Our yards,
parks, and undeveloped sites
are often awash with a wide
range of prey such as chip
munks, squirrels, and rodents.
It stands to reason when food is
easily available to wild preda
tors, competition for food is not.
as intense.
Coyotes, like the one
pictured below, and
red foxes, like the
one to the left, both
call Monroe County
home. A Wisconsin
study gives insight
into whether they
will continue to co
exist. (Photos cour
tesy of the Georgia
Department of
Natural Resources).
It will be interesting to see if
similar research in other locales
will corroborate what was
learned in Wisconsin.
Terry Johnson is the retired
Program Manager of the
Georgia Nongame-Endangered
Wildlife Program. Pie has writ
ten the informative column
‘Monroe Outdoors’for the
Reporter for many years. Email
him at tjwoodduck@bellsouth.
net.
MCMS boys remain unbeaten
By Richard Dumas
forsyth@mymcr.net
The Monroe County Middle School boys soccer team
is 3-0-1 after opening its 2018 campaign with wins
over Fort Valley Middle, Byron Middle, Henderson
(Jackson) Middle and a tie with Lamar County.
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Bulldogs earned a 1-1
tie on the astroturf of Trojan Field at Lamar County.
Monroe County struck first late in the first half when
eighth-grade striker Asher Dingmore was tripped in
the keeper box, earning a PK. Midfielder Park Davis
drilled the free shot into the upper left quadrant to
make it 1-0.
The Bulldogs would hold the lead and controlled pos
session much of the game until there were just- two
minutes left- in the game. The Trojans got- a breakaway
and slipped it- in the net- t-o tie it- at- 1-1.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Bulldogs won 3-0 at- Fort-
Valley.
Eighth grader Park Davis scored first- on a penalty
kick. Eighth grader Austin Starr nailed a long shot
that- deflected and went- in t-o make it- 2-0.
In the second half, eighth grader Camden Anthony
made a run down the left- side and made a nifty, last-
minute cross with his left- foot- The ball rolled in front,
of the goal where a sprinting Park Davis found it- and
blasted it- into the net- t-o round out- the scoring at- 3-0.
On Monday, Feb. 12, the Bulldogs travelled t-o Byron
and beat- the Eagles 2-0.
Despite being on offense almost- the entire contest-,
the Bulldogs couldn’t- score and the game remained
0-0 with five minutes to go. But the Byron coach had
requested both teams pull t.heir starters to let- sixth
and seventh graders play in the final five minutes,
and so they did. Soon, Luis Martinez scored and then
Dawson Dell added an insurance goal t-o give Monroe
Count-y t-he 2-0 win.
Keeper Adam Hamm had four saves, and keeper
Jordan O’Quinn had a save as well.
On Monday, Feb. 5, the Bulldogs hosted Henderson
t-o open the season. Seventh grader Dawson Dell got.
the scoring started just. 17 seconds into his first- middle
school game, and eighth graders Camden Anthony,
Austin Starr and Park Davis added goals in the first-
half. Eighth grader Asher Dingmore put- up one more
score in the second half t-o round out- the scoring for
coach Tracy Buffs 1-0 Bulldogs. Luis Martinez had
From left, Park Davis, Camron Ward and JT Smith brace
themselves in the wall before a Lamar County free kick dur
ing Wednesday's 1-1 tie in Barnesville.
two assists and Park Davis and Evan Miller had one
assist- each.
Buff credited defenders JT Smith, Tripp Shipman,
Evan Miller and Seth Rice for shutting down
Henderson, not- even allowing a shot-
The MCMS soccer teams were set- t-o play at.
Henderson on Wednesday, Feb. 28, though rain is like
ly, and t-o host- Crawford Count-y on Thursday, March
1. Then the Bulldogs are set- t-o play at- Jones County
on Wednesday, March 5. The girls play at- 5 p.m. and
the boys at- 6 p.m.
Rec volleyball to
begin on March 6
Jump Start Sports is teaming up with the Monroe
County Recreation Department- to offer girls volley
ball this spring.
The volleyball program, which will be held at.
the Monroe County Parks and Recreation Youth
Center, is for girls grades 6-12 on Tuesday and
Thursday evenings, March 6 through April 19 from
6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. No classes are scheduled for April
3 and April 5. The fee is $65 to participate, which
includes a t.-shirt..
For more information and to register, visit- www.
jumpstartsports.com or contact Jump Start’s area
manager Katey McCandless at- (404) 205-2634.
Persons can also go to Jump Start Sports Georgia
on Facebook or @JumpStartSportsGeorgia on
Inst.agram.
GIRLS
Continued from Front
AAAAA Mustangs
play teams that. MP
often faces in the play
offs. He hopes it. will
be good preparation
for that.
Hall said the girls played better in the first, half,
and that, despite not. getting much work, keeper
Lori Smith showed good leadership in the goal on
those rare occasions when the ball reached that,
end of the field.
Along with Davis’ four goals, Taylor Buffington
and Hope Brooks added one apiece.
On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Lady Dogs mercy-ruled
rival Jackson 10-0 at home. Taylor Buffington had
five goals, Abbie Davis and Lauren Hamm had two
apiece and Alexis Havens added one.
Hall said it. was a good game to help the girls in
getting comfortable with the ball and keeping pos
session.
“Every once in a while,” said Hall, “we need those
kinds of games to get. confidence.”
The Lady Dogs were set. to play at. Upson-Lee
on Tuesday and then at. Perry on Friday before
hosting Howard on Tuesday, March 6. Girls games
start at. 5:30 p.m.
BOYS
Continued from Front
goal on a header of a corner
kick. Dawson Daniel, William
Atkins, Alex Rivera and even
keeper Brock Hulsey had
assists. Hulsey’s came on a
booming punt. that, speedster
Jacob Anthony caught, up
with near the box before driv
ing a shot. home. Hulsey had
nine saves.
The Bulldogs out.shot. the
Bears 11-7. Yet. every time
MP scored, it. seemed Houston
had a response. At. least, two
Bear goals came when MP
defenders or the keeper were
caught, out. of position or on
the ground.
“We should’ve won the
game,” said Luton. “We were
up 3-1, but. made a couple
of mistakes defensively. But.
we’ve got. a lot. of new guys
who are playing different,
positions, and it. happens.
It’s a learning curve with so
many new faces. Offensively,
we were very good. It. was
a good game to learn some
things about, ourselves
against, a good opponent.”
The tie left. Houston County
at. 2-3-1 on the year.
On Feb. 16, MP thumped
lowly Ola 8-0 at. Lancaster
Field.
The Bulldogs took control
early and never let. go, out-
shoot.ing t-he Mustangs 25-4.
The Mustangs from Henry
County fell to 1-3-1 on the
season.
Seniors Jakob Cox and
Jacob Anthony, as well as
sophomore Julian Rivera, all
had two goals apiece. Dawson
Daniel and Gabe Medlin
each added one as well, with
Medlin getting his first, var
sity score.
Dawson Daniel had two
assists while William Atkins
and Julian Rivera had one
apiece.
Coach Allen Luton said
Anthony, who’s become an
offensive force for MP, came
into the season in really good
shape and stepped up for the
Bulldogs as a leader.
On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the
Bulldogs throttled rival
Jackson 11-1 in Forsyth.
Senior midfielder Alex
Rivera scored four goals,
while his brother Julian
Rivera and Jacob Anthony
each had three scores.
Luton said it’s always good
to beat. Jackson, as MP out.
shot. the Red Devils 23-4.
Julian Rivera and Jakob Cox
each had two assists while
William Atkins added one.
The Bulldogs were set. to
play a showdown at Upson-
Lee on Tuesday. The Knights
were the only region team to
beat, the Bulldogs last. year.
Then MP plays at. Perry on
Friday before hosting Howard
on Tuesday, March 6. Boys
games start at. 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the JV boys
soccer team lost, t.heir season
opener to ACE 6-0 on Feb. 17.