Just how wiley are coyotes?

[gottsegnet]

Thanks, and yes, I think we are relatively close to where they den. About a 1/4 mile down the road is a line of trees along a river. Well, what passes for a river out here. I'd call it a glorified creek, but it has water year round so out here it is a river.

Anyway, there are lots of holes between the tree roots and I'm guessing it is perfect habitat. Up to now, they have also had good cover from there all the way up to our house. We're going to mow some of that back in Spring, though, so they have to come out of the tall grasses to cross the property, not that they seem to care. There is no cover now, nothing but snow drifts, but they didn't seem to care about that until the dogs gave chase.

I've been careful about feed, and locking up the pets and such because we can see all manner of tracks in the snow. And since it was vacant for at least 2 years, I knew it would take a little time for the wildlife to cede the land, but I wasn't expecting the coyotes to be that bold! I always thought that was an urban issue, not a rural one! The ones we dealt with in the suburbs never showed themselves and we only knew about them because of the late night calling.

We haven't seen them since, but that was our first confrontation. I'm taking the dogs out on leashes now, when they bark. A 20 foot one for the big dog and a 4 ft one for the little beagle. Hoping the three of us barking and yelling to the property line and back will drive them off without further risk to my dogs!

 

[gottsegnet]

Also, does anyone know anything about coydogs? Three of the pack members were jet black and the one my daughter saw ten feet from me in the grasses awhile back was black as well. I've read that can be a natural, though rare, color variation, but I'm wondering if some dog genes couldn't be contributing to their boldness?

 

[Cara]

Coydogs are significantly more dangerous than coyotes as they aren't nearly as timid of humans. We only have coyotes here, and every one of them is 'coyote coloured'. There are some variations in shade, but certainly not any black ones. Do the black ones look the same other than colour?

 

[MagsC]

I am not an expert but havent heard of "different" colored coyotes unless they WERE mixed with dog?

 

[NarutoTn]

they could be miniture wolves

 

[breezy]

Your dogs arent safe even on a leash. Coyotes will work as a team and come for you and the dogs. Here in Colorado we had an attack on a woman walking her 80 pound lab. She was in a suburban, heavily populated, heavily trafficked area. Her lab was on a leash. One came for her while 2 came for her dog. They worked as a team. She was bitten badly and her dog was badly injured as well. I have had client after client lose their pets to coyotes in their own backyard. You cannot take a chance with them especially as you have a large number. If you cant bring yourself to go after them and kill them then ask a local hunter or trapper to come do the job for you. Those coyotes have no respect for your presence and bring serious danger to your family and pets. You can live in peace with most predators and wildlife but coyotes are the exception. They need to go

 

[gottsegnet]

I'd have no problems shooting them if I had a gun.

& yes, other than color, they looked just like the coyotes...same size, same build, same way of moving. Not boisterous like dogs, just sort of slinky with their heads generally down. I'm fairly certain I know where "home" is, but there are signs posted all over "No trespassing. No hunting." I'm going to talk to the neighbors next time I see them and see what experience they've had with them. They raise cattle and don't seem to be doing anything special to protect them. Our other neighbors have goats, but they are penned in an old corn crib.

Re: the lady with her dog. I think I heard about that, but all the attacks seem like that...in suburban environments where there are lots of people and lots of coyote/human interaction. People shoot them out here. In fact, I heard gunshots coming from the direction the coyotes ran.

 

[JP33]

Dana, if I were you, I would talk to my neighbors and ask what type coyote activity they are experiencing. You guys need to band together.

What you are experiencing is not normal. Coyotes are generally timid & sneaky, running in the shadows where your coyotes are brazen and can care less that you are there & acting as though you are not.

You mentioned a deer leg. Are there people hunting deer in your area? You need to find out & if so, where are they dumping the discards? If hunters are taking deer and dumping the discards, your coyotes are getting a free meal whenever this is done. This activity, if it is going on, obviously needs to stop.

One more thing, most ranchers keep a few jackasses amongst their herds to keep coyotes away.

I wish you the best of luck.


...JP

 

[gottsegnet]

I don't know of any hunting. The areas that look like prime hunting land are clearly marked w/ no hunting and no trespassing signs. The first deer leg they brought home was actually from a deer on our property. Not sure what happened to it. We found the legs and the spine, the meat was completely gone. I am guessing it was hit by a car, though there isn't any traffic out here. We're the only ones on our road and past our house, the gravel ends.

They haven't come back yet. Not seeing any tracks and the dogs aren't alerting to anything but rabbits, but it has only been a couple nights. I know it may be wishful thinking, but I'm hoping the little confrontation taught them this territory was taken. Up until then, they expressed curiosity, but were never confronted. I only found out about their presence after the fact or I would have thrown something at them or something.

 

[Judson]

Since not owning gun is the only reason to not shoot them I would say that that needs to be a #1 priority. What do you do when you get up in the morning and there is a ticked off coyote in your chicken run? They seem to be able to get into plenty of places they can't get out of. A cheap 12 gauge and some buck shot is all you need, and if you didn't want to kill them you can get special "home defense" rounds that are hard rubber pellets. They are considered non-lethal but will definetly say "I mean buisness", but I think if you can see them out your window your gun should be loaded with lead.
Coyotes are beautiful animals... in the wild. I have shot my fair share from my front porch, they don't belong within a mile of where my kid plays. I am less concerned about the cat and chickens, but they have been known to take much bigger prey. Hungry ones have been known to kill elk and moose, were talking 500-1000 pound animals.
I hope you can get them under control son for the safety of your family and animals. As far as the dogs chasing them off and making a point... I would guess they will be back sooner than later. I know guys that use a barking dog to call in 'yotes, it's called a challenge bark and works real good this time of year.