Anti-Hunters Kill Season

Coyote control

Federal wildlife managers have canceled a controversial coyote hunt on the Hart Mountain Antelope refuge in Eastern Oregon that was intended to increase the survival of pronghorn fawns.

The decision came after environmentalists filed affidavits from wildlife experts saying predators were not a major factor holding down increases in the antelope herd and randomly killing adults coyotes could increase coyote numbers through increased breeding.

Thirty-five hunters had been given permits to hunt coyotes on fawning grounds on the refuge starting Saturday.