70 Years Old And Death On Coyotes

Glenn Earnest has done his fair share of hunting in his 70 years, but nothing compares to his kills over the past six years. Nestled just below the Tennessee line in the small town of Crandall, Glenn spends his time outside on the tractor or hunting coyotes.

Glenn does most of his hunting off Highway 411 in Murray County. He’s killed approximately 700 coyotes in just six years. In an area filled with chicken houses, cow pastures and deer, it is the perfect spot for a coyote to make its home.

Although trapping is the most popular method for getting rid of coyotes, it is not something Glenn takes part in.

"I would rather just shoot them, said Glenn, "It’s more exciting."

Glenn uses FOXPRO electronic calls from time to time, but his favorite call is the Les Johnson Ruffidawg Jr. mouth call. Glenn said the best time to use these calls is during the late afternoon and evening.

Glenn realized that the population of coyotes in his area was quite significant, so he took action. He hunts over bait piles only from time to time, putting chickens around the outside of the chicken houses near his land. He says he lives out in the country, where he is able to hunt on private land with no worries of anyone complaining about his hobby.

Glenn  believes the chicken houses are the reason coyotes stay so closely to the area. At one point, he killed 24 around a single stack house. Most have been killed within a 5-mile radius of his home. However, he does think the chicken houses help keep these song dogs away from fawns and other wild game to an extent.

Glenn took up this hobby after retiring.

"I deer hunt a little bit, but rarely. I’d rather just hunt coyotes," said Glenn.

Since the beginning of this year, Glenn has killed 20 coyotes, but he has not hunted as much as he usually does. He doesn’t understand why more people don’t hunt them.

"It really helps everyone out," says Glenn.

Coyotes are known to have an affect on a dwindling deer population because they prey on fawns, meaning less deer reach adulthood in time for hunting season. For that reason, Glenn’s hobby not only benefits him, but avid deer hunters in his area as well.

He doesn’t hunt coyotes for fame, but simply because he enjoys doing so. He disposes of them at a place on his property he has dubbed the named "Coyote Hill."

 "I’ve had as many as 80 or 100 lying out there, people love to come by and take pictures," said Glenn.

"I’ve killed a bunch of them, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. These ‘antis’ may, but I don’t worry about them. I hope they go by and catch all their cats."