I was going to play the "guess what animal my avatar/signature is" (if only because not many people can tell a coyote from a wolf) but then I wanted to talk about this topic and figured there was no need to make 2 topics.

Anyways, I always knew coyotes lived in this area but it's only recently that I've heard them at night. Most people would be annoyed but I like the sound. In fact I like coyotes period... but considering they are vermin around here and other states not many people do because well... they can be a nuisance and kill domesticated animals.

Speaking of which I havn't seen many deer lately but considering coyotes mostly eat small animals it's because of our dog walking all over the place and the smell of dog makes them not want to come near. Or considering this winter doesn't have a lot of ice and snow thus far that they just don't need to come by houses to get food.

Anyways, I just wanted to share that.

[Yoda]

I am one of those who don't care for coyotes because I have heard death screams of my cats when coyotes came into my yard. Usually coyote hunt alone but they will team up for larger prey like deer. As humans are expanding most animals are having problems coping with less land, less prey, et cetera but coyotes are flourishing and have become a problem in suburbs. They have become so much a problem in WV that there is now a $50 bounty on them. When I bought my farm twenty years ago they were not such a big problem but they are now a problem.

Coyotes have been known to attack children and even adults. Perhaps you may have read this article - http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Musi...singer.killed/

There is nothing innately wrong with coyote but I am just not fond of them myself.

[Naturefreak]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I am one of those who don't care for coyotes because I have heard death screams of my cats when coyotes came into my yard. Usually coyote hunt alone but they will team up for larger prey like deer. As humans are expanding most animals are having problems coping with less land, less prey, et cetera but coyotes are flourishing and have become a problem in suburbs. They have become so much a problem in WV that there is now a $50 bounty on them. When I bought my farm twenty years ago they were not such a big problem but they are now a problem.

Coyotes have been known to attack children and even adults. Perhaps you may have read this article - http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Musi...singer.killed/

There is nothing innately wrong with coyote but I am just not fond of them myself.

Yes , that happened not too far from where I live. Very sad . They are getting overpopulated around here and there has been a couple of incidents involving people. I don't mind them myself.

[jennaorgana]

the other day i went into my backyard and this beautiful coyote was having a stare-off with my 6 pound miniature maltese!!! my puppy just started barking and trying to play. i had to literally grab a fistful of bacon to try to get her back inside!!

i live in illinois, off a golf course. you can sometimes see them at night and just early in the morning.

I don't mind if people dislike them, or even kill them (considering they are over populated in areas and do cause a lot of trouble for people) it just is difficult to find people who do like them because they can be so problematic...it's perfectly understandable that you wouldn't like them if they have killed your pets

While the story is tragic, it should be noted that the attack was described as being unprecedented, extremely rare, and not expected or normal behavior. There have been many animal attacks from bears, wolves and other predators because they lived too close to humans, possibly being fed by them and that takes away their fear. Once they don't fear us we make pretty easy prey. Even non predatory wild animals like deer and birds can become very aggressive and cause serious damage in an attack if they either aren't given enough space (respect) and aren't fearful of humans.

[Yoda]

That is true. I have seen black bear a few times in the woods and bobcat but we didn't interact so I have no negative feeling toward them.

I did have a confrontation with a doe one year though. I was hiking in the woods about a half mile from home and apparently came close to a fawn (it was June). The doe came charging at me and stopped just a few feet from and kept snorting and stomping her feet. I was thinking, oh great, I am about to be attacked by a very pissed off deer. I stepped behind a tree and looked for my German shepherd and she had already headed for home without me. Yeah, protective dog, yeah right. I was carrying a machete that I used to kill briers and not knowing what else to do I stepped from behind the tree and started swinging the machete in wide circles over my head while yelling, F### You, Bambi, F### You, Bambi!!!! The deer was startled by my bizarre behavior and ran about twenty yards back into the brush and I decided the dog had the right idea and I headed for home looking back over my shoulder for the deer. The dog beat me home.

your story about the deer reminds me of this one, a warning for language... and the author's family being twisted.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Kaika

your story about the deer reminds me of this one, a warning for language... and the author's family being twisted.

[KathyM]

Yoda

My husband and I were stalked by a doe too while out walking in the woods. We kept hearing a strange sound parallel to the trail, but it's a sound neither one of us had heard before. We stopped to take a closer look into the brush and saw her - that little lady was SERIOUS. Fortunately for us, we weren't headed towards her baby. As soon as we stepped out of her territory, she left us alone.

We have coyotes here in town now, and their numbers have grown. A friend of mine has a German Shepherd. The other day he noticed a pack of 5 coyotes staring hungrily through the window at his dog. His dog is big, smart and fast, but she wouldn't stand a chance if she decided to go out to defend her territory against those coyotes. Their increased viciousness around here is not really their fault. Like people, animals get hungry and need food too.

I am an animal lover. Here in Florida I have seen many different kinds. I love especially the sandhill cranes. I used to feed them bread from my hand. We had a problem with racoons where I live. They were coming to eat seeds from my bird feeder and before you know it they claimed the area as theirs and started coming after us. I fell running on day and one of them nearly got me. I got up and ran so fast I almost got in the house before my pants did. Peace - Dennis

[lonegael]

Raccons are vicious. I lived once in a trailer at a college I went to summer school att. The door had no good latch and the beasts would pry it open and march up and down in the corridor at night. They chased this one guy from Navy intelligence around the bathroom once. I'm telling you, second cousins to weasels and mean!

[Hippie]

Last night the coyotes were yipping away. Don't like them at all as they'll go by the house in daylight.
We have black bears and I'd rather have one of them around then a coyote. At least when my dog barks, a bear will hightail it.
Young man in the next town over was severly injured by a coyote when he tried to save his cat from an attack.
Sheep farmers around here keep donkeys because that seems to be the only animal a coyote is afraid of. I want a donkey.

[BashfullOne]

Sorry but you painted a funny pictured!! I fear the coyotes in our area here in Illinois - many have mated with stray dogs and created what we call a coydog - and a coydog is not afraid of anything! They unlike the coyote will attack you with weapon or no weapon! We have a coyote or coydog who regularly walks close to my back door on his trip in to town. I have one cat and two mini dogs and am afraid to let them out in the yard.

Denny, I'm glad you made it inside safely. They are a nasty critter to tangle with here as well!

[Yoda]

Yeah I agree that it is not the fault of coyotes for doing coyote things. That's why I said there is nothing innately wrong with them. I know they have to eat but all the same I wish their dinner were not my cats. I bought a humane live trap thinking I would catch coyotes and get the bounty. Even bought an audio lure but I just didn't have it in my heart to kill them so it sits unused. A couple of years ago my neighbor's horse hurt my Aust cattle dog's leg and initially it seemed to heal but then got infected and the dog was old so I took him to the vet to have him euthanized. The vet said we could try antibiotics but I said no because he had started lying in one place on the porch and no longer got up to greet my car when I came home. I was afraid coyotes would kill him and he absolutely would not come in my house. I tried but I think if I had insisted he would have bit me. I didn't want him to die a horrid death. Sorry if it seems I am a coyote hater - I am not. I just wish they would stay in the woodland but they don't understand that concept.

I know some farmers have problems with coyote killing calves and foals and have heard that putting a mule or donkey in with them is a good idea because they will trample the coytoes. I was going to get a donkey but just don't have time for an extra critter at this time.

About raccoons - in summer of 2009 we started seeing a couple of raccoons and a really fat oppossum on the porch eating dog/cat food at night. My son asked me if we should shoot them. I stood on the porch with them just three or four feet away from me and they were not aggressive toward me or my animals. My collie just laid there and ignored them as they ate. I watched to see if they were going to hurt the kittens but there was no conflict. So I just let them be and started putting the food dishes inside at night to discourage their visits. In Nov I talked to a DNR agent about another problem and I mentioned my critter problems. He said that a raccoon could really tear up a cat. If I had seen one acting aggressive I would have shot it but they weren't.

After my encounter with the doe I developed a new respect for animal mothers. Once me and my son and BF were walking in the back field and we encountered a dozen turkey chicks. About six inches tall, fluffy and cute as could be. My son and BF were interacting with the flock and I was spinning in circles looking for a raging turkey hen ready to come kick my butt. Don't mess with mothers!

Oh and while I have diverted this thread for the moment what do you think of Sarah Palin's aerial killing of wolves? I saw some video of the wolves dying and it didn't look humane to me. I think she even got Congress to take wolves off the protected species list. Am I right?

Now returning to Kaika's topic in progress

[Maven]

I don't hate any animals, but I'm more wary around some than others, mostly because I'm unfamiliar with them. I tend to take the stand that it's not a good idea to try to pet animals I don't know much about.

When I hear stories (and I've heard many) of coyotes killing family pets (including dogs; I don't think it's "rare" that they go after dogs, let alone other animals), it upsets me greatly. I don't take animal suffering well, and that also means if an animal killed a coyote, I'd be distressed for it, too. If my pet was being attacked by a coyote, though, or any other animal that I felt I could take on (and maybe even if I couldn't), I'd do what I had to to save my pet.

The story at that link was amusing, but it just goes to show you, deer aren't friendly, in general. I've seen video of deer attacks. Their hooves are quite strong. I love deer--I love all animals--but I paid attention to those animal experts and learned never to approach an animal in the wild, especially if it's a baby (because Mommy is probably near and will not appreciate you getting close to her baby). If you think an animal has been abandoned or is hurt, contact your local wildlife organization. It's a good idea to have the number handy.

I'm reminded of a story that takes place in Yosemite Park, if I'm remembering correctly. A bear wandered into an area where there were several people, and the ranger there warned everyone to stay away from the bear. But this one idiot told her husband to go stand by the bear and let her take a photo!!! I think the ranger shooed them away.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Maven

A bear wandered into an area where there were several people, and the ranger there warned everyone to stay away from the bear. But this one idiot told her husband to go stand by the bear and let her take a photo!!!

I wonder how much life insurance he was worth.

[VickiesPath]

I don't hate any animal. Except cockroaches. If I see a cockroach, it's WWIII.

We have coyotes in our yard every night. We also have a small dog. She is under 20 lbs and thinks she's a Great Dane. She goes outside and barks and barks. Just as I was reading this post at 2:44am, out she goes to bark at a pack of at least three coyotes on our property. We've seen them jump six foot fences to get some fresh meat. We are trying really hard for it to not be her!!!!! But she isn't getting the message. I had to run to the kitchen, out the door and scold her back inside and make her get into her bed and close the dog run so she couldn't get out again.

We have scorpions, rattlesnakes, desert quail (so cute!), snakes, lizards, javelina, roadrunners, rabbits, ground squirrels, all the desert animals and the coyotes are out there looking for dinner every night. We have to protect our little 20lb guard dog.

[Naturefreak]

Originally Posted by VickiesPath

I don't hate any animal. Except cockroaches. If I see a cockroach, it's WWIII.

I heard they make wonderful pets. lol

[KathyM]

Hope it's okay to stray off topic as well.....raccoons.

I now have a room that used to be a porch converted to a family room, but it's now a useless room - no heat/insulation, etc..

My husband had to have outpatient surgery on his leg. It was very late by the time we got home. It was a rough ride home (him having to drive), so I got him all settled into bed once we got home. I also changed into my nightgown and tattered old pink robe and slippers.

I realized we had left his pain meds in the car. It was very cold, and the snow was quite deep, but I figured I could run out to the car dressed as I was to get the meds - no one would see me.

When I opened the front door and stepped into the useless room, I heard a tapping sound. I turned and saw a racoon walking toward me. I stomped my foot, but it didn't scare him off. I went back into the house and got a frying pan and spoon to defend myself. It worked - he backed off enough to get me outside, but he looked ready to fight. He may have been injured or rabid.

I got the meds out of the car, but I was too afraid to step back into that room. The raccoon would have had the advantage, and I had made him angry.

I had no choice but to walk across my front lawn over to the back door - trudging through the snow wearing only my nightgown, ugly robe/slippers....carrying a frying pan and spoon, mumbling angrily to myself.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see a man walking his dog parallel to me. I didn't have the nerve to acknowledge him because I was too embarrassed of my appearance. He didn't have the nerve to acknowledge me either. He probably thought it was some sort of domestic dispute.

[Hippie]

Yeah Mama animals are not to be toyed with.
Two years ago my husband took our dog outside while it was still dark, and he went over and stood under a big old cherry tree we have. Well, out of the corner of his eye he saw a large shape about 100 feet away and realized it was a bear. So he slowly backed up and called our dog. Now, our dog is part German Shepard,part husky so she's not little but no match for the bear. She didn't know that and she chased the bear into the woods. A few seconds later the bear chased her out of the woods. My husband was able to get our dog to come to him and just as he backed up some more, three bear cubs jumped out of the cherry tree.
Luckily, husband and dog made it to the house in one piece.

[Shangrala]

I'm an animal lover, as well.
Grew up in the hills of the east bay area, california and back in my youth, there were ALL kinds of wildlife. I even had the honor of meeting up with a cougar, which, back then, was not uncommon.

Coyote and Bobcat was quite common, as were Racoon and Deer. Every night as I'd lay to bed I would hear the song of the Coyote. For some, that would sound like just a bunch of high-pitched "yapples"...but to me, it was a very beautiful sound.
Back then, despite the presence of the (possibly aggressive) wildlife, they still had enough of THEIR homeland to live on, therefore there was no need for aggressive tendancies toward people. We were able to live together without posing a threat to eachother.

Sadly, that isn't the case anymore. Not only has all wildlife been exterminated from the hills of the bay area anymore, but if and when a very rare and majestic sight is to be encountered, it is recieved as THEM imposing on us.....and to me, that mentality is the true crime.

When desperate, yes, Coyote do hunt in packs.
While I lived in Nevada some 20 years ago, a pack of Coyote chased my aged German Shepard from the security of home and killed him. I couldn't stop them, as there were many of them. He ran off in the dark of night as I could hear the cries of the Coyote in the distance.
I searched for days looking for him. A few weeks passed, and some friends found his remains.

As for any living being...hunger motivates to sustain life...and sometimes to desperate measures.

Shangrala

[anderson]

Coyotes are the teachers of the wild things. WE can see and understand both sides of the the stories. Most of my life I am at home in the wilds and do enjoy the sound of the Coyotes. But when my small animals are out I to will go charging to protect my own. Man has taken the balance of the animal chain and made it helter skelter now where is the animal that kept the coyotes population in check? What has man done to put things right? When we see this animal we see a teacher, a mirror of shorts for when we look at brother coyote how much have we as a human race repeate his behaviors in our daily lifes. Brother Coyote when in his true place in nature both helps and teach us in how we should teach each other.

[VickiesPath]

When I was a child, there was a small park and zoo about a mile from our house. It had been built by the WPA during WWII. There were peacocks there and every night we used to hear them calling. Being kids, we would answer them back. Must have been a pretty good impersonation because it would go on for hours.

Also, where I'm from, coyote hunting was a sport. I think the rednecks did it to irk the native Americans. What do you do with a dead coyote? Made me angry.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by KathyM

Hope it's okay to stray off topic as well.....raccoons.

I now have a room that used to be a porch converted to a family room, but it's now a useless room - no heat/insulation, etc..

My husband had to have outpatient surgery on his leg. It was very late by the time we got home. It was a rough ride home (him having to drive), so I got him all settled into bed once we got home. I also changed into my nightgown and tattered old pink robe and slippers.

I realized we had left his pain meds in the car. It was very cold, and the snow was quite deep, but I figured I could run out to the car dressed as I was to get the meds - no one would see me.

When I opened the front door and stepped into the useless room, I heard a tapping sound. I turned and saw a racoon walking toward me. I stomped my foot, but it didn't scare him off. I went back into the house and got a frying pan and spoon to defend myself. It worked - he backed off enough to get me outside, but he looked ready to fight. He may have been injured or rabid.

I got the meds out of the car, but I was too afraid to step back into that room. The raccoon would have had the advantage, and I had made him angry.

I had no choice but to walk across my front lawn over to the back door - trudging through the snow wearing only my nightgown, ugly robe/slippers....carrying a frying pan and spoon, mumbling angrily to myself.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see a man walking his dog parallel to me. I didn't have the nerve to acknowledge him because I was too embarrassed of my appearance. He didn't have the nerve to acknowledge me either. He probably thought it was some sort of domestic dispute.

ROFLMAO

Originally Posted by VickiesPath

Also, where I'm from, coyote hunting was a sport. I think the rednecks did it to irk the native Americans. What do you do with a dead coyote? Made me angry.

keep the fur?
Hey, it works with bears at least.
*points to the 50+ year old black bear rug we have*