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.

jymbee · Mar 4, 2012

Hi David,

MossflowerWoods said:
If you are that far out and unarmed, get a pistol or shotgun.

We have plenty of weaponry, but just wondering if there is any concensus of appropriate actions to take assuming you're unarmed-- as there seems to be with bears e.g.

marimus · Mar 4, 2012

At the start of the video that coyote is heading away. Then you can hear his rubber boots squeeking as he walks and that dog heads right back in to see what it is.

I think they sound a little like a rodent, which is probably what the hungry coyote was looking for.

k0ua · Mar 4, 2012

jymbee said:
Hi David,

We have plenty of weaponry, but just wondering if there is any concensus of appropriate actions to take assuming you're unarmed-- as there seems to be with bears e.g.

Well if you are unarmed, I would shout, act aggressive, and keep throwing rocks, and looking for big sticks. and Kicking and punching if it comes to that. Just play it smart next time and slip that handgun in your pocket, you will feel a lot better and if push comes to shove, you will have more than "harsh language" to use to save your bacon.

James K0UA

westcliffe01 · Mar 4, 2012

One of the first things taught in the boy scout handbook is the "staff". A good piece of hardwood about 1.5" in diameter and about head height. Every scout was required to have one. In Africa, they had the "knob" staff, usually cut off where the branch leaves the trunk of a tree and where there is a nice big knot. In this case the staff is about 3/4" in diameter with a knob about 2" in diameter and about 4 ft long. I grew up with one of these in my hand since I was a kid, and I forget how many snakes and other pests it killed. Adders, cobras, spitting cobras, you name it.

It seems that simple tradition has been lost. In Europe they go walking with their titanium poles, similar to ski poles. They are a bit light, but anything that gets between you and the object with teeth is better than nothing. A hardwood staff would knock that coyote senseless and it would never try that again.

westcliffe01 · Mar 4, 2012

Here is another one:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Ij9kwfdxk]Coyote stalks and starts going in for attack on elderly lady and dog - YouTube[/ame]

Common theme: People not allowed to be armed, so wild animals eventually think you are part of the food chain.

MossflowerWoods · Mar 4, 2012

jymbee said:
Hi David,

We have plenty of weaponry, but just wondering if there is any concensus of appropriate actions to take assuming you're unarmed-- as there seems to be with bears e.g.

Well... Last spring I had a VERY large single coyote in my backyard in daylight. I was unarmed at the moment and my kids were all inside but we had some of our guinea fowl nearby and I was not going to take the time to go in the house and grab the shotgun. So I ran down the hill charging straight at him growling and yelling and waving my arms. He did decide I was insane and turned around and headed for the edge of my property. He stopped at the edge and would have come back so I kept pursueing him (thinking the entire time "This was NOT a brilliant Idea David") and he went over the ridge.

I went back got my shotgun and tried to track him, but failed.

I would never attempt such in the dark, or in a less open space, or where there are more than one coyote.

David

creekbend · Mar 4, 2012

There have been several threads in regards to coyotes on TBN recently. One fact is apparently clear. They are more numerous, more brazen, and are becoming a nuisance. Just Goggle and you will discover there are even coyotes living in Manhattan.

whistlepig · Mar 4, 2012

Coyotes are relatively new around here. First appearing first about ten years ago and are getting progressively worse. I have seen many while deer hunting. They are spooky critters and run at the first hint of movement. Maybe I'm stupid but I have no reason to fear coyotes. I don't even think about them. On the other hand my wife is getting pretty spooked by all the coyote stories that are going around here right now. So we have both camps in our house. Me, that spends time outdoors and has no concern for them at all. And then my wife, who believes every bad coyote story that comes down the pike.

westcliffe01 · Mar 5, 2012

So long as people don't tolerate them and remain free to shoot them if they get too close, coyotes will remain skittish and avoid contact.

In a Chicago or NYC type situation where concealed carry is out of the question and discharge of a firearm within the city limits is also prohibited, the animals over generations do not react in fear to humans at all. They seem to have uncanny road sense and one very seldom sees one killed on a roadside. They also seem to realize that they don't get attacked by people in cars, I have been approached to within 5 yards by coyotes in the roadway inside my subdivision.

Basically, the way our society has been structured with all its rules and regulations is starting to catch up with us.

cqaigy2 · Mar 5, 2012

Well, it is a wild animal. If you start walking towards it, it will think your up to no good. Not too hard to figure out why it went after him and it wasn't really trying too hard, most likely hoped the ding dong would just leave him alone.

I've spent alot of time out in the woods, grasslands etc. Don't f with the animals and that includes dogs when they pack up. I carry when im in the woods, but it's mostly for people.