Coyotes Are Back

[herfrds]

Within 48 hours we have had 3 coyotes come close to our house.
Lost 1 chicken and almost lost DS's dog.

Thursday morning I was just finishing up milking my milk cow, DD was at the other end of the barn with her 4-H lambs when the dogs started barking. I knew something was wrong due to the way my cow freaked out and the tone of the bark.
Stepped out the door and there is a large coyote standing on the hill looking at the dogs around 150 feet away!
DS's dog started up the hill after the coyote. Yeah right a corgi is going to win a fight with a coyote, NOT!
I had left my gun at home since it is hard to balance a milk bucket and water bucket and a gun all at the same time.
Only thing I had was the empty bucket. I was yelling at the dog to come back, but she wouldn't. Only I could think of was to hit the bucket against the side of the barn as hard as I could. It sounded like a gun shot. Coyote took off luckily.

Next day while I was at work another coyote came down by the barn and came within 20 feet of our house and grabbed one of my laying hens that free range. DH heard the commotion went out and saw the coyote grab the bird and take off. He grabbed his .223 and shot at the coyote. Coyote dropped the hen and took off.
That night as I came home from work I saw a coyote coming across the hill above the barn and working it's way towards our house. (I did not know about the earlier attack until later)
Got the gun and lined up my shot. No idea how I missed that sucker with a broadside shot with the cross hairs dead on it, but I did.

Going to get another gun I can leave at our barn in a hard case.
Called all of our coyote hunters about coming out to get these dogs; too many and too close. Pretty sure I know where the den is too.

 

[TeamChaos]

. . .
I had left my gun at home since it is hard to balance a milk bucket and water bucket and a gun all at the same time.

I feel you on this- more than once my husband has asked me "didja have the gun with you?" when I've spotted something out while doing chores. Um, no. I had my hands full and not with a cup of coffee and my cell phone either.

You have my utmost respect- I hope you get those suckers. It's unnerving how quickly, quietly and confidently they'll move in.

Side note: I've had several corgis in my life and all of them would have thought they could take on a coyote too. Little dogs, big hearts.

 

[herfrds]

I was so scared I was about to watch our dog get killed by a coyote. Everyone has said that was quick thinking making that bucket sound like a gun shot to scare that coyote off but I'm afraid that might not work so well next time.

Yeah 4 gallons of milk in that bucket, no cell phone (dead zone any way) and no coffee cup either.

Going to call a family friend today who is very knowledgable about guns and get his opinion on what gun to get. I know he has one consigned at a gun shop, might see if I can get it.

Edited for spelling

 

[<3ChickenForever]

Those darned coyotes! I hope your hen is okay! I know how you feel too. We lost maybe around 7-9 chickens before to neighbors dog!

 

[Jubilee1111]

I would think a shotgun, a lighter 20 gauge auto loader with a shorter barrel would work well for you.

I saw a dog get lightly peppered with bird shot while out hunting because it popped up out of the undergrowth right as his owner took a shot at a pheasant. He was probably 50 yards away and even at that distance he went into shock.

Of course if your little Corgi is out there chasing, that might not be the best option.

 

[herfrds]

Contacted our friend and bought his 22.250 Remington. That gun shoots within a half inch. Going to run me $1050 but it will be worth it if I plug a couple coyotes with it.
I've shot this gun before hunting prairie dogs and gophers and this gun will drop whatever you put the cross hairs on.

Can you tell I'm excited?

 

[Joe.G]

$1,050, does it have work done to it? high dollar scope? What model is it? That seems like a lot for 22.250, you can get one a lot cheaper that will shoot just fine for your needs. The gun can shoot .05 MOA but the shooter has to be able to also.

 

[sourland]

Good luck in eliminating the problem.

 

[Kikiriki]

Considered a livestock guardian dog? Kengals are the best, IMO, followed by great pyranees, Anatolian shepherds (smaller than Kangals), and miramas.

This is about kengals:

http://kangalclub.com/

They are pricey because they are rare in the US. Turkey does not want them exported. They will kill coyotes and wolves, and if you have more than one kangal they can handle wild boars and even bears. If you decide to get one or more, make sure you get them from a breeder with a working farm who lets the pups go out with the parents to learn how to act with the animals. They do have strong insticts, but parents teach them not to mess around and wander off. Check for breeders in Canada, too, if you're interested.

The nice thing is that they are there with the animals when you and your gun are not... In Turkey, they go up in the mountains with the sheep and goat herds and sleep with them, too. These are not house dogs, although people try to make them conform to that. They are not strong on obedience, although if you are firm and kind they may elect to follow directions. I saw a video of a lady on horseback out with a kangal... The dog stayed right by her, took instructions, and even waited to cross a road until she said okay. There are lot of videos of them in Turkey on the internet.

From a quick search: http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=kangals+protecting+herd

Adding this note in edit: if you watch the videos you'll see them with spiked collars and there ears severly cropped. People might think it is cruel, but these are working dogs who fight wild animals. The ears are cropped to prevent them from being torn off out in the wild where they would not be easy to treat, and the collars protect their necks from deadly injury.

The kangals will also try to guard from strangers...i have not heard of an attack on a person, but they alert to strangers. They are also protective of their human family, like most dogs are.

To recoup the expense, you could start breeding them, as the pups sell for about $1000 each. If you have a lot of land, you would have the benefit of raising the pups with the parents to ensure they are good LGDs. If I had land, I would be doing it already!

 

[bj taylor]

these turkish livestock guardian dogs sound & read like incredible dogs, but it sounds like you need alot of space to keep them satisfied. for my little operation, i would have more trouble keeping them in than the livestock.