Coyote On The Prowl In Mohegan Lake

Hi Mohegan Lake Neighbor,

I saw a coyote run through my backyard yesterday evening.  This was after it ate several kittens the cat that lives by us recently had off in the town property south of me.  Mama cat ran to our house and tried to jump on the deck with "Lucky," as we've called the 6 [?] week old baby kitten, in her jaws.  It was funny cause the girls thought mama was eating the baby; then we had a discussion about the nape of the neck and how cats carry their young. 

At about 3 am this morning, the wife heard a goose dying a long--full minute at least--death, presumably by coyote too.  She was compelled to yell out the back door because it sounded like a human screaming. I'm actually cool with the goose control, but those poor goslings are so cute.  Remember that time I made that video of them to the yakkety-sax?   Or that one of geese and goslings swimming to "Walk Like an Egyptian"? Me too.

I am for thinning the Canada goose herd with a coyote. It's nature.  It's been pretty goose free up here at the top of the lake today.  Very quiet.  [queue the eery music and menacing coyote photo]. 

Question:  If I had a licensed gun and a hunter safety card, could I shoot a coyote on my property?  I thought I couldn't discharge a firearm in Westchester, but a little googling makes me think I might be able to if I'm not within 500 feet of a structure.