The coyotes are here again...

[PirateGirl]

Coyote was here daily about a month ago and got my Yorkie..She escaped but $400 later..
This one seams to be a young Male that is on his own..My Aussie\Golden Retriver has managed to keep it away. He also is bold and not that scared of humans.

I'm sorry We try and be vigilant, but it doesn't always work. The days are already getting shorter. I sent my 2 dogs out at 5:30 in the morning a few days ago, pitch black out (man I miss the sun). I went to start the coffee and heard the coyotes start up their racket close by and went running out in my PJs to find the dogs and bring them back in. I probably shouldn't have sent them out alone in the first place in the dark, but we like to think that they are safe when they are close to home.

Then last night I was driving home and had to stop the car while 3 coyotes crossed the highway in front of me less than a mile from the house. They are really on the move these days.

I guess this thread can keep going as long as people want to continue to share stories and experiences. It's not necessarily about stopping the coyotes or keeping them away. They live here. They live in most of the US. We are encroaching on their natural habitat and they are very well adapting to the man-made environments as well. I appreciate that they keep populations of other critters in check and I respect them as predators, dang are they smart, the communication and the problem solving in unmatched. I love to listen to their sounds, especially when there is a lone one calling out to the rest of the pack, but it is all a bit eerie when you know they make a kill or one is especially lonesome or desperate. They certainly make me uncomfortable at times, and can be a bit bolder than I'd like to see. It's a love hate relationship for sure.

 

[chickens really]

I'm sorry We try and be vigilant, but it doesn't always work. The days are already getting shorter. I sent my 2 dogs out at 5:30 in the morning a few days ago, pitch black out (man I miss the sun). I went to start the coffee and heard the coyotes start up their racket close by and went running out in my PJs to find the dogs and bring them back in. I probably shouldn't have sent them out alone in the first place in the dark, but we like to think that they are safe when they are close to home.

Then last night I was driving home and had to stop the car while 3 coyotes crossed the highway in front of me less than a mile from the house. They are really on the move these days.

I guess this thread can keep going as long as people want to continue to share stories and experiences. It's not necessarily about stopping the coyotes or keeping them away. They live here. They live in most of the US. We are encroaching on their natural habitat and they are very well adapting to the man-made environments as well. I appreciate that they keep populations of other critters in check and I respect them as predators, dang are they smart, the communication and the problem solving in unmatched. I love to listen to their sounds, especially when there is a lone one calling out to the rest of the pack, but it is all a bit eerie when you know they make a kill or one is especially lonesome or desperate. They certainly make me uncomfortable at times, and can be a bit bolder than I'd like to see. It's a love hate relationship for sure.

Definitely I love all wild animals and the Fox and Coyote are only doing what comes natural to them. I definitely have a love hate relationship with them too. We sit out at night by the fire pit and I love the song of the Coyotes as the sun is going down. Proper management and knowing what could happen to my Birds and small dogs has me more diligent ..I'm happy my Little Lucy survived..

 

[PirateGirl]

Definitely I love all wild animals and the Fox and Coyote are only doing what comes natural to them. I definitely have a love hate relationship with them too. We sit out at night by the fire pit and I love the song of the Coyotes as the sun is going down. Proper management and knowing what could happen to my Birds and small dogs has me more diligent ..I'm happy my Little Lucy survived..

I remember once a friend's beagle went missing. Beagles wander and this was not entirely unusual, but she began to worry when it became a week instead of just a day. Then she got a phone call, a couple found the dog on death's door in their yard and brought him in to a local vet. The vet pulled a huge bobcat claw out of the dog's chest. That dog had battled a cat that was probably the same size as him and somehow made it to a random house and survived. Even our pampered domestic dogs can put up quite a fight if they need to. I imagine some primitive instincts for survival and fighting are lurking buried in our lap dogs.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Fox, coyote, raccoons etc are all just finding meals. The folks that aren’t willing to manage wildlife are under the impression that problem animals will go away. They don’t. Humans have taken away far too much habitat already. Animal human encounters continue to rise across the country. States like Mass, CA, CO, WA. have even more problems with wildlife because of laws pertaining to trapping and management. For those that are unwilling to remove the animals aren’t doing their birds much justice. Penned birds 24/7 with wildlife constantly harassing them from outside the wire isn’t a win. It will drive chickens nuts, hurt laying etc.

 

[chickens really]

I remember once a friend's beagle went missing. Beagles wander and this was not entirely unusual, but she began to worry when it became a week instead of just a day. Then she got a phone call, a couple found the dog on death's door in their yard and brought him in to a local vet. The vet pulled a huge bobcat claw out of the dog's chest. That dog had battled a cat that was probably the same size as him and somehow made it to a random house and survived. Even our pampered domestic dogs can put up quite a fight if they need to. I imagine some primitive instincts for survival and fighting are lurking buried in our lap dogs.

It was crazy because I was selling a Call Duck and my Maremma was out as was Lucy my Yorkie. They had a tiny little boy just walking too. My Dogs were both outside with us. I went for change for the buyer and seen blood on the sidewalk. I actually thought my old Dog was bleeding from a wart or a dew claw?..They left and I followed the blood to my Yorkie in her dog bed in the kitchen. Belly was torn and a huge amount of blood in the bed. Rushed her to the vet.
I'm so glad the Coyote didn't grab that baby. It must of been very close again..

 

[PirateGirl]

@chickens really that's crazy that it happened with all that activity around!

@roosterhavoc I agree, human/wildlife encounters are not something that is going away. "Problem" animals aren't going away. The human population of the planet is growing at an alarming rate and the destruction of wildlife habit is happening at an alarming rate. A greater percentage of people are living in close proximity to wildlife and a greater percentage of wildlife is adapting to the human encroachment on their habitat. Humans as well as wild animals must find ways to adapt to each other. There is no easy answer

 

[chickens really]

@PirateGirl
Wasn't a surprise because this Coyote had been hiding directly behind my house under a spruce trees bows and that's the first time Lucy was almost taken. My Ducks were in the kiddie pool only about 25 feet from the tree. Lucy barked so I got up to see what was under the tree thinking it was the Cat from next door and out popped the Coyote. It almost had Lucy but she kicked through the air off its head or something and came running back..Very bold Coyote.

 

[chickens really]

Also my Female Aussie/Golden Retriver has been fantastic at chasing off this Coyote. Bindi is covered in burs from the pasture and is always patrolling my property. She can fight if needed. My Maremma is actually scared of coyotes or so it seams. He stays home and only barks.
Bindi puts a full run on anything in my property..