Coyotes On The Move

[dave1949]

Two nights ago about 2 hours after sunset, the coyotes were howling and yipping. They were in close to the house.

Today around noon, a young (9 or 10) neighbor boy came up the drive on his bicycle and asked me to show him where the snowmobile trail runs. I explained it and he rode off down the trail to check it out. My wife was out walking our dog and she spoke with him too. Shortly after he rode on my wife heard him yell and he came flying back up the trail. She asked what was wrong and he said there were two coyotes further back and he wasn't going there. Smart kid

On the way back to the house, my wife saw one good sized coyote running across our pond opening. Very odd to see coyotes moving like this mid-day. There is no hunting on Sundays here. Fortunately, the dog my wife was walking is always on a leash, he loves to wander far and wide otherwise.

Anybody seeing similar things? The only explanation I have is the deer hunters have disturbed them in the areas where no people usually go and they are looking for somewhere quieter?
Dave.

 

[two_bit_score]

This time of year always does bring them out into the open more. I saw three this week-end at my place in east Texas when I rarely see any.

Hogs are a nuisance animal to me and I shoot them and leave them where they fall if I don't have anyone handy to call who wants them. With everyone deer hunting right now there isn't anyone I can call to pick up the hogs. I shot two in my back field about a week apart and the coyotes drug them both off.

 

[whistlepig]

The place we lived three years ago is over run with coyotes. Development is crowding them in. Small dogs and cats are snatched out of backyards all the time there now. They are not afraid of people. They won't let you see them but they are there watching you. Just at the fringe of your yard. I could hear them in the weeds less than 30 yards from the house. They were following the deer at our old place. When the deer moved the coyotes moved with them. We now live out in the country where the coyotes aren't so concentrated. We do hear them now and then but they are always far away here. I don't like them around my house. They are too smart.

 

[dave1949]

The place we lived three years ago is over run with coyotes. Development is crowding them in. Small dogs and cats are snatched out of backyards all the time there now. They are not afraid of people. They won't let you see them but they are there watching you. Just at the fringe of your yard. I could hear them in the weeds less than 30 yards from the house. They were following the deer at our old place. When the deer moved the coyotes moved with them. We now live out in the country where the coyotes aren't so concentrated. We do hear them now and then but they are always far away here. I don't like them around my house. They are too smart.

Not much development going on here, so that hasn't changed. Not many deer either. I think one older doe and a spike buck, they are scarce this year and last. Maybe the coyotes are low on deer meat

I know they are always around as I see their tracks in wet spots on the trails and some scat. They hadn't been making daytime appearances.
Dave.

 

[beenthere]

We have had coyotes close to the house on our country land for the near 40 years we've been here. Not something to fear, in my book. Usually hear them howling and yipping 3-4 nights a week. And see them in the daytime, occasionally but year round.

Bow shot a buck last week, and couldn't find it right away. The coyotes had eaten the rear quarters already and were working their way up to the front.

The coyotes keep the rabbit population in check, as well as the feral cats (that get captured, neutered and then released !!! ) OMG

 

[jinjimbob]

I shot two in my back field about a week apart and the coyotes drug them both off.

This will only help increase the number of coyotes, I hope you know that, you are upsetting any hope that any natural balance might happen.

 

[Western]

This will only help increase the number of coyotes, I hope you know that, you are upsetting any hope that any natural balance might happen.

What natural balance??
Feral hogs aren't "natural" in fact they have already upset the balance. Coyote's are to smart to mess with an adult pig, especially a large feral, they wont even mess with a strong javelina (sic) much. We are the natural balance as far as "feral" hogs are concerned.

Last study I read on a coyotes diet was 60% mice, remainder was everything else. They are opportunist and not to picky, if its easy.

Coyotes, like most other animals, will be seen more during the winter on their search for food. Cold weather increases the heat loss, so the need for nutrition is greater. Survival mode.

 

[texasjohn]

Neighbor was loosing sheep, another loosing chickens. This was several weeks ago. Fortunately, one neighbor knew a fellow who LOVES to hunt coyotes...I've invited him to hunt my place. 3 dead coyotes so far in 6 hunts.

He uses electronic game call, electronic lure (thing that flips a ratty tail looking thing in the grass to create interest), 243 rifle with scope, lots of camouflage, watches wind, etc...

He's stopped deer hunting, does coyote exclusively. Can be done all year round, day or night, choose good weather, smaller target, more sensitive nose than deer, etc.... considers it more challenging.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, he practices safe hunting.... never taking silhouette shots, always identifying his target, making sure no livestock or habitation structures in line of fire, etc.... I know, nobody and nothing is PERFECTLY safe, but he's convinced me by talk and deed that he hunts as safely as I do...that's all i can ask.

This time of year, this years pups are nearly full grown, thus beginning to hunt for their own territory, also, need more total food items since larger appetite... plus hunting, etc.. all contribute to more coyote sightings and predation.

 

[20 20]

I've been hearing them more this year out back.

 

[MoKelly]

We're in Missouri. I've seen more this year than in the past (we've lived here 3years) and they are larger and look much much healthier than in the past. In fact, a few I've seen remind me a small German Shepards vs. the old scrawny coyotes.

I've never really been worried about the coyotes I've seen in the past but this year I keep thinking I really wouldn't want to mess with one ... or two.

Does anyone carry a hand gun for protection "just in case"? Any suggestions as to the size needed?

MoKelly

 

[dave1949]

Last study I read on a coyotes diet was 60% mice, remainder was everything else. They are opportunist and not to picky, if its easy.

Coyotes, like most other animals, will be seen more during the winter on their search for food. Cold weather increases the heat loss, so the need for nutrition is greater. Survival mode.

I am sure that must account for more sightings this time of year. Before we built here, I would camp out for 2-3 nights while doing some tractor work. I heard coyotes often. Then, after we moved here three years ago, I didn't hear them much at all until this Fall. I thought our dogs (at 110lbs and 140lbs, they couldn't look like an easy meal), were maybe keeping them away. So much for that theory
Dave.

 

[deerefan]

They really get vocal in the cool weather around my place. When they get too close, I fire a gun a couple times into the ground and it seems to shut them up and if I here them again it is usually much further away. The hogs are a bigger problem in my area.

 

[beenthere]

We're in Missouri. I've seen more this year than in the past ..............

Does anyone carry a hand gun for protection "just in case"? Any suggestions as to the size needed?

MoKelly

No, don't carry for coyotes. But anything that makes a noise would do the job and scare them away. Do you have a cap gun? Should do it.

 

[trook]

It has always been my experience that coyotes, if they know you are within 300 yards of them, will haul tail (pun intended) the other way. At least that's the way it is in Mississippi. I guess they don't like people shooting at them.

 

[whistlepig]

I think that is the problem with coyotes where we used to live. It is in the city limits and discharging a firearm is illegal. They have no fear of humans there. A small dog has to be kept on a leash. Just standing by the dog isn't enough. The coyotes will run out of the bush's, snatch the dog, and run back while the owner is watching. I still read the local news there. Coyote's snatching cats and dogs is getting to be a big problem there

 

[ToadHill]

With problems like you describe, I'd be all over the local politicians to get some local hunters to take care of the problem. Depending on local laws you might consider carrying a pellet gun. I have one that will not kill but will put the pellet through the skin and they'll know they've been hit.

 

[tractorski]

we have a pack of coyotes that come through our yard almost every morning(5-6 am) on their way back from the night's hunt. We can hear them quite well, and we see many signs of them, but have only seen them once at night. Never during the day. I think it would be a good idea to find out why they are out during the daylight, i think that is very unusual.

 

[beenthere]

I think that is the problem with coyotes where we used to live. It is in the city limits and discharging a firearm is illegal. They have no fear of humans there. A small dog has to be kept on a leash. Just standing by the dog isn't enough. The coyotes will run out of the bush's, snatch the dog, and run back while the owner is watching. I still read the local news there. Coyote's snatching cats and dogs is getting to be a big problem there

Would you, could you, site a link to the local news reporting on coyotes snatching cats and dogs while the owner is watching? I would like to use that information for support.

The closest I come to this is people thinking that it would be possible. Sounds like you have factual information available.

Thanks.

 

[OcalaPat]

I live in north central Florida and they have been very active lately. Wife and I saw one running accross a pasture last week in the middle of the day. I often hear them yipping out in the fields at night. Sounds like a pack of em.

 

[blueriver]

Dave ... like it or not you may wish to consider having your firearm ready ...