coyotes

sbw1

sbw1

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Oct 10, 2006
8,188
West Michigan
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Was just looking out the window at a bunch of geese, gulls and ducks hanging out by our bubbled dock and all of the sudden they all took off like crazy. I was thinking maybe an eagle was about to move in and take the fish that were being eaten on the ice when something caught my eye. Two large coyotes were walking down the lake right to our dock and spoked everyone. These guys were the size of large German Shepards. I've always heard that they live among humans but this is the first time I've ever seen one. The hung around for a few minutes, walked around the yard and marked territory and then moved on down the lake. We have two coyote decoys that we put out in the summer to keep Canada Geese out of our yard. I was skeptical at first but they do work. After seeing the reaction of the birds to the real McCoy I can see why the decoys do the job.
 
It has been very cold and snowy in West Michigan with deep snow everywhere. I think they were out walking on the lake looking for something to eat because it's easier than going through deep snow. A few people keep their docks bubbled which attract lots of birds including gulls that pull fish out of the water to eat. It's not uncommon to see an old goose or duck die this time of the year because animals are getting well into their reserves at this stage of winter. The gulls clean up the dead fish and the eagles eat fish plus any large birds that die. The coyotes probably eat just about anything this time of year out of desperation.
 
They usually are nocturnal, preferring to feed when other preditors are not competing. Coyotes are usually sort of small and look like a starved German Shepherd, but those sbw1 saw apparently live close to humanity where trash/food is plentiful. That can also be dangerous since, when not challenged for food, coyotes tend to get bold and are not very frightened of humans.
 
Coyotes are a huge problem all over lately, their population seems to be growing rapidly. We had an incident in our town where someones pet dog was attacked and killed by coyotes who were living in the "woods" of a local country club. The police are trapping and relocating when they can, and I here every once in a while they even try to shoot them (off the record, I hear).
 
Petep I have heard of Coyote sightings out near Selfridge not long ago too. I wouldn't want them roaming my back yard!
 
Were you able to snap any photos of them?
This spring my sis-in-law had a small family of red foxes living in the woods behind her shed. The fox gave birth to some fox pups who liked to hang out under and behind the shed.
Once and a while they could be caught frolicing but mama waas always looking out for them.
It was difficult to keep my nieces from wanting to try and feed them....
 
This year, I shot my first coyote while pheasant hunting. She got within 12-gauge range and I did a favor for the cattle farmer. I thought I would harvest the tail for my grandsons. I quickly found out that I didn't know what I was doing and simply ended up pulling the tail off bone and all. Just so you can say you learned something today, here's how: Drill a 1/2 inch hold in a short length of 1 x 2. Then split the 1 x 2 down the middle. After making your cut around the base of the tail, slip the 1x 2 over the tail w/ the hole clamping down on the bone. Then pull the tail off the bone. Voila!
 
Nope. Didn't get a picture of them. I thought about it but was too interested in watching them wander around our yard. We were at some friend's later in the day for dinner and learned that this pair of coyotes had been out and about all day making the rounds on the lake. One of our neighbors had a small dog disappear recently. May have been coyote related.
 
We have them here in Swartz Creek, we live on a farm (no farm animals) and Last year they would come around at about 1am and howl and bark, it's a creepy sight and feeling. When you cannot see them but they can see you.
We had to watch out for our dog in the barn,seems that they will coax the dog out as if 1 is only playing with the dog, out to the pack then kill the dog and eat it....
I think they don't like Cats, noe of the darn Cats were taken either.... i can't get that lucky..... can I?
 
Well, they are back. People have been watching them walk up and down the lake since January. Snow pack is more solid than in the woods and they can cover more territory walking on the lake which is crusty and more effecient. This time of the year the wild life are living on the edge. The Canada Geese seem to prefer walking over flying and are looking for any open water to escape predators and maybe get a bite to eat. We've had our first thaw in weeks and actually have a litte grass showing. It was mobbed by geese eating the dry grass. Where are the coyotes when you need them? The eagles are waiting for the gulls to pull a fish out of the open water around our dock. As soon as a gull gets lucky, an eagle will drop down out of our trees and steal the catch. Interesting to watch mother nature at work.
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They're as far South as Mississippi, too. If you're driving in a rural area, you might see them troting accross a field, and it's not uncommon to see them at night, or as roadkill. I've called them in during turkey season more than once. I'm sure in the South, they're typically smaller than in the North.

Don
 
I live in the western suburbs of Minneapolis about 25 minutes to downtown. I saw one take out a big rabbit in my back yard last fall.
My father in law and his friends are paid by farmers and ranchers in North Dakota to hunt coyotes on their land. Last weekend they came home with 15 tails in 4 days. That was only half of their group.
 
Last summer, there was a case where a female jogger was killed by coyotes in Nova Scotia (Cape Breton). They're very comfortable in urban areas and plentiful in the ravines running through Toronto. Cats and small dogs are regularly snatched out of their backyards.
 
Before Ko-Jac we had a Coydog for 14 years, we raised him as a wet pup. Over those 14 years we learned about about Coyotes, Urban Coyotes, Red Coyotes and Coydogs. The Red Coyotes and Coydogs tend to be the most dangerous of the Hybrid Coyotes do to that fact they are cross bred with wild dogs or wolves. The urban coyotes seem to grow the largest and have the least fear of people. Before going off half cocked and freaking over a Coyote, read up on them and ask questions about the ones you are hearing and seeing. It is always better to be prepared with facts.
 
We moved to our current home about 4 yrs ago. It's sets on a couple of acres in the country. One night we were enjoying an adult beverage by the fire pit & heard about the most chilling noise I think I've ever heard. At the time I had no idea what it was. We used to call our little corner of the planet the rabbit and skunk capital of the world as it would not be uncommon to see a dozen or so rabbits at a time in the back yard. I haven't seen a rabbit on this property since sometime last year. I think this is why........

coyote2.jpg


coyote1.jpg
 
Jackie J V said:
............. They're very comfortable in urban areas and plentiful in the ravines running through Toronto...............
Click to expand...

Sort of like having a big, pet, dog that you can enjoy but without having to feed it or take it to the vet.
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