Having been involved with Predator Masters for the last six years and learning from 'scratch' what hunting the Coyote, and other predators, is involved, I can recognize a huge difference between our intents and other organizations that are wildlife oriented...
In the same vein, we need to officially align ourselves and our efforts with those organizations that are promoting the habitat for Ducks, Quail, Pheasants, etc., since our passions are really complimentary to each other...
A "normal" game species population is dependent on a healthy overall environment; food, shelter, and population control and those are all part of responsible conservation, whether Wetlands, Nature Preserves, or other efforts..
Predator control is equally important, and maybe more so...For if there is an over abundance of predators, the active population in any of the other game species will become diminished to the point of extinction and if the predator population is too scarce (while not likely but certainly possible), then overpopulation of a 'game' species is unhealthy as well...
It's just my personal opinion, but I think that on a state and local level, we should be actively aligning ourselves with some of the other organizations in a cooperative attitude towards promoting stewardship of all species....
Most other game species have limited hunting seasons that are established by individual states, based on active populations and their respective State Conservation offices, these efforts are supplemented by organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever...
It seems that many states have a basic open season on common predators, but there are some normal game species regulations that impede on our efforts, as well as a general ignorance on the part of the general public and various landowners, and I think that by working together with some of the other organizations, we may be able to effect some political, and social perception, changes that will open up our overall acceptance within the scheme of predator control...
I know that locally, we have a few seasons where you should not be out in the woods with a rifle, without a Deer Tag in your possession, even though you are not hunting Deer...The same holds true for Turkey season as well, and these seasons are coexistent with prime predator hunting...I think it's unfortunate that there is not some way for one of us to differentiate ourselves, legally, from other types of hunters that would be recognized by conservation officials, other than by the types of calling equipment we happen to use...
I would also think that becoming recognized authorities in Predator Control might be helpful as predators are becoming more common in urban areas and becoming dangerous to the average citizen, most of which are not normal hunters...Usually local Animal Control officers are not trained or equipped to deal with predators that migrate into the urban environment.. With state and local budgets shrinking in the immediate and near future, some locales are going to be even more stressed due to the impingement of predators...
We have a variety of members that have necessary means and experience to track, capture, and eliminate a potential threat to a community, but need the legal and social acceptance for which to be called upon...