Face to face with a Coyote

jymbee · Mar 4, 2012

There's lots of them around here but I can't say as I've ever given much thought to or was at all concerned about the possibility of an up close encounter with one given their tendency to avoid humans in general. We live in a very rural area (nearest neighbor a half mile away) and I typically take our dog (45 lb. mix) out for his nightly stroll on leash around 11p (always on a leash after dark ever since he took after and "caught" a skunk one night!).

Not unusual at all to hear 'em howling back & forth across the valley we live in, but awhile ago the pack was really close. Pitch dark, no moon so they probably didn't know we were around. Anyhow, I have to admit I, and my pooch, were a bit startled and kept an eye out as we made out way back to the house.

I've heard lots of opinions as to what to do when encountering black and brown bears, but what would you do if you came upon a coyote? Yeah, I know, you'd blow his brains out with whatever manner of killing machine you typically tote

but for the sake of example lets say your were not armed.

I'm a large guy so I guess I've always thought I'd stand my ground and make a helluva lot of very loud, threatening noises and gestures. I figure that would be sufficient, unless of course they're sneaking up on me from behind!

westcliffe01 · Mar 4, 2012

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqVE9qfg7yI]Coyote Attack Best Footage Ever - YouTube[/ame]

The guy shooting this video is pretty big and healthy and the coyote in that clip was trying pretty hard to eat him.. In broad daylight and there was only 1 coyote !! I'm guessing it was hungry...

jymbee · Mar 4, 2012

Big and healthy guy perhaps, but good grief-- not too sure about the sanity thing!
Seems like a good example of what not to do to me. Almost "inviting" the critter to get closer then toying around with it. Perhaps he was wearing his rabies proof boots??

westcliffe01 said:
Coyote Attack Best Footage Ever - YouTube

The guy shooting this video is pretty big and healthy and the coyote in that clip was trying pretty hard to eat him.. In broad daylight and there was only 1 coyote !! I'm guessing it was hungry...

Clumber · Mar 4, 2012

Man, I just peed. That guy is either brave or stupid. The animal probably thought the guy was injured and an easy meal or it was a territorial thing to attack alone such a big guy....

k0ua · Mar 4, 2012

My father was chased by a pack of coyotes when he was a kid. This would have been about 1925. Out walking late at night, and had what they called a bullseye lantern for light and he was armed with what amounted to a $1 Starter pistol, made out of some zinc alloy. He cut the bullet flush with the case of .22 short rounds to reduce chamber pressure by greatly reducing bullet weight so they could be "safely" fired in this non gun. So what was fired was just a small .22 disc. He fired while he ran with the coyotes chasing him. and cleared a barb wire fence and made it home, where the coyotes broke off the chase. He swore this story was true, and told it several times. I wasn't there, but I have no reason to doubt him.

James K0UA

Barnone · Mar 4, 2012

That guy in the video has probably been feeding that coyote. Dumb guy.

MossflowerWoods · Mar 4, 2012

jymbee said:
There's lots of them around here but I can't say as I've ever given much thought to or was at all concerned about the possibility of an up close encounter with one given their tendency to avoid humans in general. We live in a very rural area (nearest neighbor a half mile away) and I typically take our dog (45 lb. mix) out for his nightly stroll on leash around 11p (always on a leash after dark ever since he took after and "caught" a skunk one night!).

Not unusual at all to hear 'em howling back & forth across the valley we live in, but awhile ago the pack was really close. Pitch dark, no moon so they probably didn't know we were around. Anyhow, I have to admit I, and my pooch, were a bit startled and kept an eye out as we made out way back to the house.

I've heard lots of opinions as to what to do when encountering black and brown bears, but what would you do if you came upon a coyote? Yeah, I know, you'd blow his brains out with whatever manner of killing machine you typically tote but for the sake of example lets say your were not armed.

I'm a large guy so I guess I've always thought I'd stand my ground and make a helluva lot of very loud, threatening noises and gestures. I figure that would be sufficient, unless of course they're sneaking up on me from behind!

If you are that far out and unarmed, get a pistol or shotgun. Barring that a louisville slugger or an axe handle as a walking stick might be of some use, a 6 foot oak "quarterstaff" if you know how to use one would be better.

Me, I carry a 9mm.

DO NOT do the stuff the knucklehead in the video was doing!

Be safe, Be well.

David

Winmac · Mar 4, 2012

Been living with the wile coyote for years, never paid them much attention but things have been getting out of hand around here at least.
Cats and dogs go missing, rabbits and deer dont stant a chance either, its belived that they have interbread with dogs(malumute) and are lossing their fear of humans.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/846183--expert-stumped-by-recent-coyote-attacks-on-humans

k0ua · Mar 4, 2012

All the "knucklehead" in the video did was reinforce in that coyote's mind that the big vertical animals are not really all that dangerous and they taste like a rubber boot. The next one he sinks his teeth into may be wearing flip flops. At the very least he could have thrown a chunk of ice at it if he had nothing else. Of course he wanted the video to post.

James K0UA

Mounted Madness · Mar 4, 2012

I have no doubt that that coyote was familiar with that particular area. As mentioned previously, he or others had probably been feeding the animal.

I worked in the north and even 'dump' wolves and 'dump' bears, you leave them all well enough alone. They are familiar with humans, less afraid then most and clearly this particular one has become way too familiar with people. All that is accomplished is nurturing a wild animal to eventually crossing the line and getting shot.

The guy was an idiot.:thumbdown:

My two dogs know the sound of howling coyotes, and they do NOT like it, yet neither has ever been face to face with one. It is primal for them. They have more sense then this YouTube bonehead.