Coyotes Getting Bold

[A Dunne]

I will try to take pics, but I went outside (my house, not parents) to dump some compost. There were these huge tracks, as big around as the top of a medium sized cereal bowl,maybe a little larger.From my lack of tracking experience, feline or canine. I have had a wild rabbit hanging around most of this winter, it looked like it led whatever this was a merry chase! But I am sure it got the rabbit. He was always hopping around but not now.
I am thinking someone's big dog. These were made last night as they werent there yesterday.
Okay, NOT a coyote I know, but kind of interesting. But less intriguing considering my birds!

 

[herfrds]

It would help us to know what State you are in.

 

[jbowyer01]

This is one of the things that terrifies me. We just bought a couple of acres a few months agoo and we are getting ready for the house. We will be the only house on the road and I know there are coyotes and other wildlife. I respect the wild animals but am going to build the Ft. Knox of chicken coops and will carry a gun when I'm out. I have miniature doxies though they would give their life for me they wouldnt make much of battle for a coyote.

 

[A Dunne]

Sorry! Minnesota.

 

[6chicks&aduck]

A big coyote was hit on the road not even a block away from my place yesterday , i think they r looking for my chickens

. I've been keeping an eye out for tracks and such , so far so good

 

[5pinkarrows]

A Dunne--I believe if you see claw marks, it is usually a canine. Felines retract their claws. We have mountain lions here, but doubt you do. Either way, scary for your chickens.

Would you believe I had to chase off that same coyote trying to get into my coop again today? I just grab the broom and run out screaming like Braveheart, and it seems to work. I don't think it will hold him off for long. I think our coop is pretty secure, but those things are rather clever. We may have to shoot him.

 

[A Dunne]

Okay, thanks! I will take a look to see if there are claws or not. The pics I took are pretty blurry(snowing and I wanted to get pics before they were covered.) but at least someone can see the size, and thats what made me look twice.
Uploading them to photo bucket and then will see about getting them on here.
5pinkarrows, sounds like that coyote is wanting himself a chicken dinner and is pretty desperate to get it!
As far as cougars, they have been sited around here every now and then, more so in recent years.

 

[The Lisser]

I saw a coyote sitting outside my pasture at ten in the morning. It didn't seem too fazed when 3 of my llamas ran at it from inside the fence. My neighbor's husband saw one outside her chicken run a few weeks ago - in the pasture with her horses and donkeys! I have not seen one in my pasture (I have field fencing - It wouldn't keep them out if they really wanted to but it would take a little longer for them to get in) and seven llamas that would try their best to kill it. There are plenty of deer around here so I hope the coyotes keep to the wild prey. I'm thinking about getting a couple baby goats and I'm planning to lock them up at night, even with the llamas around.

 

[Caincando1]

Quote:
Where in MN?

 

[A Dunne]

Southeastern, Lake City/Wabasha area.
herfrds sent me a pm on tracks and that was IT exactly, maybe just a little bigger. Its hard to see the claws in the prints I saw, I suppose cause the snow is so deep. Said it was a wolf print. I didnt even know we had them around here. Wow.

I have heard rumors but only half paid attention.
And it brings even more home to me how this winter has been on all kinds of wildlife. We are on the very edge of town and this was right by my house. But I suppose if its quiet, its night and there is food, well, they are hungry.