Trailriding with coyotes anyone?

[wateryglen]

I need advice & thoughts on how this can be done.
I am new to coyotes presence in our country. I live in Warrenton,Va. area which is mostly populated with foxes. But coyotes have been moving in periodically and yesterday I had a disturbing experience with a pair of coyotes while on a trailride with my 55# neutered male english springer spaniel.
I have foxhunted for 25 years but their behavior confounded me. They came after my dog & I but I was able to break them off vocally and by riding toward them (like you would with fighting hounds etc). They barked repeatedly and followed us. The male followed us about 2 miles and broke off when I went into the open & out of the woods. He repeatedly barked & followed us very closely. Usually 30-40 ft parallel to me. Fortunately my dog responded well to my voice to stay with me and seemed to respect them ie: not go after them. Their proximity to me and brazen behavior was surprising despite my yelling & various attempts to shoo them off.
My guess is that they might have cubs or a den near my farm which is surrounded by woods. But its kinda late for them to have cubs?? The female was larger than the male and initially more aggressive. I assume I shouldn't take my dog riding anymore. This will break his heart! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif He is kept in fenced in yard but is let out to run pastures at various times.
Questions: How do you handle a situation like above? Is there anything I can carry or do to more effectively shoo them along? Should I stay in the open? Ignore them? Are they a danger to me & my horse? Danger to me on foot? Danger to my Dog? (Like Duh, yes but how so? he doesn/t seem interested in them) Any advice or cautions?
I look to you hunters who have coyotes in your country. Thanks for sharing!!

[wateryglen]

I need advice & thoughts on how this can be done.
I am new to coyotes presence in our country. I live in Warrenton,Va. area which is mostly populated with foxes. But coyotes have been moving in periodically and yesterday I had a disturbing experience with a pair of coyotes while on a trailride with my 55# neutered male english springer spaniel.
I have foxhunted for 25 years but their behavior confounded me. They came after my dog & I but I was able to break them off vocally and by riding toward them (like you would with fighting hounds etc). They barked repeatedly and followed us. The male followed us about 2 miles and broke off when I went into the open & out of the woods. He repeatedly barked & followed us very closely. Usually 30-40 ft parallel to me. Fortunately my dog responded well to my voice to stay with me and seemed to respect them ie: not go after them. Their proximity to me and brazen behavior was surprising despite my yelling & various attempts to shoo them off.
My guess is that they might have cubs or a den near my farm which is surrounded by woods. But its kinda late for them to have cubs?? The female was larger than the male and initially more aggressive. I assume I shouldn't take my dog riding anymore. This will break his heart! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif He is kept in fenced in yard but is let out to run pastures at various times.
Questions: How do you handle a situation like above? Is there anything I can carry or do to more effectively shoo them along? Should I stay in the open? Ignore them? Are they a danger to me & my horse? Danger to me on foot? Danger to my Dog? (Like Duh, yes but how so? he doesn/t seem interested in them) Any advice or cautions?
I look to you hunters who have coyotes in your country. Thanks for sharing!!

[race_run_jump]

WG - no idea, but would love to hear any info, as my 3 are NOT smart enough to remove themselves from the vicinity of an irritated coyote! Do you hunt with Warrenton?

[Elghund2]

Coyotes aren't usually very big and a single one would not be a threat to your dog. Also, they tend to shy away from human contact unless someones been feeding them.

I wouldn't think they would bother with a horse.

I wouldn't be surprised if they had some kind of kill nearby and felt that your dog was threatening to take it.

"I thought I was dead once but it turns out, I was only in Nebraska."

[breezymeadow]

I would think that the biggest threat from a coyote would be that - just like fox - they can carry/transmit all of the canine diseases - distemper, mange, rabies, etc.

My body is a temple - unfortunately, it's a "fixer-upper".

[Foxhunt4me]

A 22 pistol with rat shot would be good ( get your horse used to it ! ) Your whip might be good as well if it does not scare your dog towards the Coyote. Here in Nebraska you may shoot a Coyote at any time you want.

I do not take my dog where our local coyotes frequent they would come out and watch us. What I do now is every time I see a coyote while I am riding, I give a tally ho yell and turn my horse and gallop after it yelling. They soon learned to turn tail and run when they saw me riding nearby!

Same way works for a lot of the cur dogs you run into - they follow and yap and bark at you but once you turn on them and crack your whip and start after them they are long gone.

[Camstock]

Joel, fur gawdsakes, when did you become an over-reactive caveman? http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

I guess I should probably get off the valium, http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif, but I don't really get upset about the coyotes that I've come across when I ride. Now, granted my dogs weigh 70 and 120# (samoyed and newfoundland). One coyote that I have seen several times actually did the puppy "play" posture with its chest down and paws out front and tail wagging high over its head at my newf. They got within 5 feet of each other and nothing happened. No fighting, just curiosity, and whadya know, my dog didn't die of distemper. There are enough birds and rodents around to feed any even half-talented coyote. I just wouldn't get that worked up about it.

Party on. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Foxhunt4me]

It must be the lack of excitement around here in dullsville. Terrorizing wildlife is the high point of my otherwise uneventful life.

[sascha]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Elghund2:

I wouldn't think they would bother with a horse.
"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works but up here in South Western Ontario there have been horses killed by coyotes. In certain neighbourhoods it's just not smart to do nighttime turnout especially of foals and young stock. As for during the day while riding I have no contact experience, sorry.

[Leenah]

I'm in the SW desert and mostly have had them turn tail when I yelled at them on the trail. But I have to say that I have a neighbor who was not so lucky. She was out with her Aussie tethered to a 25 lunge line which she held as she rode (walked mostly) along. A pack of a dozen coyotes surrounded them and began vocalizing as her dog came closer to her horse and she yelled at them. They did NOT retreat but instead went after her dog 2 or 3 at a time which drove it under her horses legs. The coyotes were biting at the dog and the horses legs and of course the horse reacted which may be what saved the dog as they disbanded before serious harm was done.

I would not take a single (or even a pair) of dogs out alone on the trails in coyote country no matter how well trained after hearing of this. This dog was also 50# or more and no matter the size because when they pack up, well you know....

[Twinkletozzz]

Leenah, I'm with you. After riding in the Sierras last year, I have a much different view of riding with dogs in coyote territory than I did before. We left the pointer and the Akita chaperoned in the base camp while we rode. Our hosts were native to the area and suggested it was too dangerous to the dogs to take them along.

[Twinkletozzz]

Leenah, I'm with you. After riding in the Sierras last year, I have a much different view of riding with dogs in coyote territory than I did before. We left the Pointer and the Akita chaperoned in the base camp while we rode. Our hosts were native to the area and suggested it was too dangerous to the dogs to take them along.

[Twinkletozzz]

Leenah, I'm with you. After riding in the Sierras last year, I have a much different view of riding with dogs in coyote territory than I did before. We left the Pointer and the Akita chaperoned in the base camp while we rode. Our hosts were native to the area and suggested it was too dangerous to the dogs to take them along.

[Twinkletozzz]

Apologies for the triple post. My PC is making all kind of typos and mistakes tonight! LOL

[equinemidwife]

Glad I read these posts. I had no idea coyotes could be such a problem. We are getting them in our area of NC too, but I've only seen one once. One of my neighbors was woken up during the night when five of them came over to play with her dog. They were in the yard playing and when she shouted at them they left. So I guess ours are still worried about humans -- hope they stay that way.

[Foxhunt4me]

Best bet is to eradicate them in areas where humans , children and pets are found. Either yourself or find an interested hunter that would like to help out.

They have attacked childred playing out in yards.

Wilderness areas as was noted are especially bad as there are high numbers. Here I have only seen pairs or family groups.

[Leenah]

equinemidwife,

The coyotes may have looked like they were playing but.... the cartoon character was not named Wiley Coyote for no reason. This is a tactic they use in hunting. They will approach as a group and play, winning over the dog's trust and getting it to pack up with them. When they go off in a pack, of course the dog follows. Usually they take the willing victim down the wash a ways where another group waits and there they all turn on the victim. Afterwards they scream their bloodcurdling screams and yips into the night (usually it's night).

I have friends who have witnessed this firsthand. Another trick for a smaller dog victim is the pack has just one coyote approach and he feigns being crippled as he does so. Of course the little dog doesn't feel as intimidated and accepts him. Then he leads the little dog away to where the pack waits for dinner.

I have friends who have witnessed both kinds of these attacks.

Another poster described how coyotes are even attacking children in urban areas. This can and does happen even with a solitary coyote however they are much more dangerous in their packs. We humans are using up their habitat and so the paths cross now. It's really inevitable but not so dangerous if you understand what it is all about.

[equinemidwife]

Leenah, thanks for the heads up. I had no idea. I will inform my neighbor ASAP.

In fact, she and I were sitting out on my front porch this evening watching our horses (she's also one of my boarders) and we heard the coyotes howling. First it was howling, likes wolves, then their yapping. Kind of cool, but very eerie. My husband and one of my sons were outside and heard it too. Coyotes are new to us here, but there's definitely a pack that's moved into our "neighborhood". We're rural, so there's lots of woods and fields and farms but we certainly seem to have a very local pack.

[JackSprats Mom]

Cayotes do just play with dogs too. We have alot of cayotes where we are but they generally hang around in ones and twos. There is one that hangs out on the ball field where I walk my dogs and my little female (60# Border Collie mix) has been known to run off and play on the edge of the woods with him. There was never any intention of a kill. Plus no children here have ever been attacked.

I think alot of it has to do with the number in the group. Seems to me that larger numbers will obivously be bolder and I would use caution but I have NEVER had a problem with smaller numbers with my dogs or horses. In fact I quite often see one or tow cayotes out in the field with the horses and the horses show no concern and the cayotes sho no interest in them.

JackSprats Mom http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[sascha]

I did a search for the newspaper articles on the horse attacks in my 'neighbourhood' but couldn't find them, sorry! It happened a couple of years ago so I guess the files are dead by now.

[equinemidwife]

Please keep the info coming. It's very timely for me. Also, I'm particularly interested in experiences with east coast coyotes. Thanks all for your info and experiences.

[equinemidwife]

My farrier was out this morning and we talked about the coyotes. He's seen them and killed one or two. He also said he knew of a farm within 40 miles that lost a foal to coyotes. That scares me, since I foal out mares every spring here on my farm.

[breezymeadow]

When we lived in the mountains west of Winchester, VA, I had one cross the road in front of me. Although that was the only time I actually saw one, we did used to hear them howling at night, & it DOES make the hair on the back of your neck prickle!

I never left my horse out at night there, but then again day/night temps were quite a bit cooler than where we are now.

My body is a temple - unfortunately, it's a "fixer-upper".

[Loosepaint]

This is my first time on this forum so I hope this works. I board at EquineMidwife's farm and I'm the one that had the coyotes come into my yard to "play" with my dog - at 2:30am. I didn't get the impression they were there to hurt her. As a matter of fact one of them was in the play position when my daughter yelled out the window to have them "SHUT UP!" since they were right outside her window. At which time one of them (a youngster it appeared) ran off into the shadows of the trees in my yard. The others (a larger one and two sorta medium sized ones) just sorta crouched down. I also wasn't too concerned about it - I guess maybe I should have been - since they were SO loud and came right up to the house and were there for awhile and remained loud - howling but mostly yipping. When they finally left after my daughter's outburst (she's not a big fan of nature, etc.) my dog stayed right on my deck and acted almost sad that her "friends" left - she then began howling. They've never returned that close to the house but I do hear them occasionally across the road in the woods. It's such an eerie sound. I know lots of people consider them pests but I figure they're just doing what nature has told them to do to survive. And they're doing what they have to do to survive in the human's world

[Foxhunt4me]

They are quite fond of house cats for food.

House dogs as well on occasion.

They also will , on rare occassion, breed with domesticated dogs and produce ' Coydogs '.

[onthebit]

Foxhunt4me beat me to it. We have a lot of coyotes in my area (middle Tennessee). They have killed a few of our calves, but so far it has always been the smaller weaker ones. They have never bothered any of the horses (yet) and since we have six large dogs I think our own "dog pack" is big enough to keep the coyotes away from them.

What REALLY concerns me are the coydogs that Foxhunt4me mentioned. These are much more aggressive than coyotes and have attacked adults and large animals in our area. We heard a terrible uproar one night and discovered three coydogs attacking - more like ravaging - our goats. They had already ripped apart and killed two of them, it was awful. None of the three coydogs made it off our farm alive that night. I hate to be so callous about it but those animals are highly aggressive and dangerous to humans and other animals. When we see them on our farm we shoot to kill, not just to scare them away, because I don't want myself or any of my animals to be their next victim. I have a lighted riding ring in one of my fields next to the barn and one night a coydog came up to the ring and started running around the edge of the ring next to me as I was riding (the ring has a 4-board fence along with a board running all the way around the bottom to keep the footing in and I had the gate closed also). He then started trying to work his way between the boards into the ring. Thankfully my father happened to be at the barn and I screamed for him and dismounted and he shot the coydog. I am convinced this story would have a much scarier ending if no-one had been within earshot of me at that time.

[Foxhunt4me]

Good tales to tell - most times folks think you are exaggerating when you tell them that they should go after these critters. We need to rid ourselves of the ones that have no fear of humans and are comfortable around us - just trouble waiting to happen.

There are enough problems in some areas with packs of dogs that wander around getting into things.

[Hannahsmom]

Loosepaint and equinemidwife: Foxhunt4me is right. Coyotes are more than happy to lure a pet dog off and then somehow the dog disappears and is often found dead or who knows. I have had them come up to me within 15 feet of my horse out riding and try and lure off my dog to follow it. Maybe it was playing, maybe not. For some reason my JRT hasn't succumbed yet but I figure she is coyote bait so it's either tie her up or take the chance. This is in the midwest btw. The coyotes were really prevalent when they were breeding cattle on the farm. Because of the potential for sickly calves I would think. They are quite smart and adapt well to urban/rural.

I had heard that coyotes were introduced to the area to help keep the deer population down. They may be doing that, but you have to watch your dogs.

[purplnurpl]

Great Thread.

We have lots of land behind our barn where we set up cross country fences and also trail ride. There was this one big tree/bush that my horse has always been afraid of. makes the approach to X country fences difficult becuase she feels the need to hop and run fast past this particular foliage. Well, I was out trail riding (by myself) and I took her over to that very tree and out pops a coyote. maybe 20 feet from me or less. I was scared stupid. I slowly turned around and walked off as calmly as possible. my horse never spooked but I was waiting for an out burst that would leave me on the ground with coyote lunch written on my forehead.

so I picked a different route that day and alas, I came across some adults with a trillion pups. they were far enough away they didn't see me but you can bet I turned around and went straight home.

since then I have had at least one medium coyote either run into the woods or pop out of the woods on my rides. yikes!! they freak me out, never seem to cause a threat, but my horse jumps when she sees them. I have since then found a different field for my conditioning.

~save us from the storm, save us from the rain,
and save of from the horses of Trakehne!~
-unknown-

[Camstock]

I think there is a middleground between my position and Joel's that is more accurate than either. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif

[Loosepaint]

Thanks for all the "heads up" information. Since we're (Equinemidwife and me, Loosepaint) in the Southeast, this coyote phenomenon is pretty new to us. I had always heard that coydogs were more aggressive than the "purebred" coyotes but, frankly, I don't really want to be on the receiving end of either one. My dog is spayed so her coming up with some coypups won't happen. And I do keep my kids and my other animals inside most of the time - especially at night - or when they are outside they're supervised. But, again, it's good to know of other's experiences. And I'll be keeping an eye out for them

[Foxhunt4me]

I do not think that there are ANY innaccuracies in my statements. You may not agree with my approach, but it is the safest approach to take. Coyotes are not needed near areas inhabited by humans and not needed around livestock and pets - period.

Coyotes do not control a deer population like Wolves would - they are just not big enough to
be a significant predator to deer - evidence our booming population of both.

Coyotes prey on and compete for the same food as Foxes, increased Coyote numbers means a decrease or elimination of the Fox population in an area ( especially where food is scarce) .
Coyotes also prey on Foxes. I think we all would like more Foxes and fewer Coyotes especially if you like Foxhunting. I know of few foxhunters that would rather hunt Coyotes than Fox given the chance at either.

In fact some east coast hunts spend time out shooting the coyotes in their territory.

As far as Coydogs being more agressive - I am not sure that has been documented - there are a few websites dedicated to having Coydogs as pets. I know someone that insisted her pet was a coydog:

http://nhh.glencarry.com/coydog.htm

Not sure about that - she was a sweet thing - very friendly. Dissappeared some months back.


p.s. We go by screen names here.

[Foxhunt4me]

Hunting , mange and hard winters has managed to keep the population down to reasonable numbers in this area. Local farmers told me in a discussion last week on this exact topic that the numbers are much reduced from some years ago. They used to have a coyote hunt every Saturday with multiple trucks with hunters coordinating hunting via radio.

I am aware that there are some instances where increased hunting can cause a population increase following. If you closely monitor the population and understand where the critters live you can manage them.

There also used to be a bounty on coyote here which has now been lifted - that did start raising numbers in a lot of areas as there was no longer profit in shooting them.

[Camstock]

Ouch, Foxhunt4me. If you were referring to my comment, I only said that there is a middle ground that is more accurate than either your or my position. I don't think either of us knows every fact.

Aldo Leopold would not agree that your way is the "safest" or best approach. I'm guessing Maggymay has probably read everything he's written. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif Great stuff.

Sorry to use your name. Won't happen again.

Camie Stockhausen

[This message was edited by Camstock on Aug. 07, 2003 at 12:24 PM.]

[wateryglen]

Everyone thanks for the insight. I went on the internet to learn more about coyotes. I do not foxhunt with the local humt but with another in next county. But I did notify local hunt however of their presence and they can deal. They are mostly not on my property but on my neighbors(a fixture). We are now sure they have cubs and I have riden many times without seeing them but we hear them at times. They seem to move around within their territory. Don't hear for a few days then hear them nearby. I am trailriding with my huntwhip when I bring dog. Am compromising for now. I think our local deerhunters will get them when season comes around. My hubby wants to shoot them now but I'd say the coyotes are safe (from his aim I mean!). We will continue to observe. Our fox population has clearly been decimated ie: have only seen 2 foxes in last 6 months. Used to see with every trailride and on our farm. This is very sad. Turkeys have also decreased markedly. Stay tuned!

[Elghund2]

There is also an increase in VA in the Mountain Lion population. They are more likely to have an impact on the fox population than the coyote.

I think the interesting thing is that all of these animals used to coexist and maintain a balance. If we let nature take its course, we'll see a balance again.

"I thought I was dead once but it turns out, I was only in Nebraska."

[ponyjumper4]

I neighbor the area Loosepaint is from (Yanceyville) and we had a coyote in our front yard a few feet from our porch one evening as my mom pulled up. My dad has killed two in the past few months (since they're in season year round)--one was a 60pounder. We have to make sure our cats are inside every night. There has been at least one case in the county where a few coyotes were chasing a guy's horses. We actually have quite a population of coyotes in my area, but fortunately we haven't seen too much of them. Coyotes usually go after smaller animals like cats, dogs, and calves, but they will go after larger things like horses, at least in packs.

Adult Pony Rider Clique http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[equinemidwife]

Sillyponies, you are "in our backyard"! We are in Cedar Grove, so not far at all. And it's all coyote country between us. You've actually known them to chase the horses and go after calves??? Do tell more.

What about cougars? I've heard from several people I know that they've seen cougars in the area too.

Also, some research I did says that coyotes in our area are often in the 40 - 60 pound size range. I haven't lost any cats yet, but they're all indoor/outdoor and it would be nearly impossible to get them all in at night. Still, might be worth the effort.

I would like to hear more.

[ponyjumper4]

I go through cedar grove on the way raleigh usually. I'll have to talk to my dad when I go home this weekend more about the coyotes but I did see pics of the ones he killed and that 60 pound one was huge.

Adult Pony Rider Clique http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Loosepaint]

Elghund, I agree with you and I'm sure others will not be impressed with the opinion. But I figure we've invaded their territory and they're doing what comes naturally to them to survive. Everything will eventually balance out - maybe at the expense of some mice, chickens, cats, etc. I have two cats and they would be absolutely miserable if they were inside all the time - so would I. So out they go. We also have a bunch of deer around here - some with babies - that seem to be pretty mellow about the whole situation. I think the coyotes are pretty fascinating maybe because they're relatively new to us. After the novelty has worn off my attitude may change.

Now the mountain lions I think are pretty interesting too. I've heard that we have them around here but I haven't seen or heard them yet. I think I'd be more intimidated by one of those.

I do believe that both species are basically fearful of humans unless someone is silly enough to try and domesticate or "befriend" one - then the whole equilibrium is messed up and the coyote is completely confused. Or if the animal is hungry and can't find wild food (which wouldn't be an issue around here - lots of rabbits, mice, etc.)or if they were sick. And if someone doesn't get their dog spayed or neutared so they start creating coydogs. I guess there are lots of variables.

I think they are variables that can be lived with and dealt with. I think if I want to ride and not just in a ring then these are chances I"m gonna have to take.

[ponyjumper4]

Well I talked to my dad and he said the first coyote shot this year in our county was while it was chasing the man's horse. It was just a single coyote, not a pack. Dad says that coyotes are fearful of humans and they usually hunt or attack smaller animals, such as rabbit, cats, small dogs, deer, and turkey, but then there is the occasional cow/calve and horse. Oh and the one my dad shot was 40lbs, not 60, but it's still big in my book.

We also do not have mountain lions, we don't even have them in the state of North Carolina. What we do have are bobcats, which typically go after the smaller animals, like rabbits. They too are typically fearful of humans. We do however also have bear in the area. My families land borders the gamelands and preservations and occasionally they do escape (my dad was chased (not exactly attacked, but close to it) a few years ago by one of 3 that had escaped. However, last week a guy in our county a "wild" one that didn't belong or live to the gamelands/preservation. (He is facing charges due to the results of an investigation around the kill. The man put a picture of it in the local paper, claiming it was chasing his children. This was highly unlikely if not impossible because bear can outrun horses in short distances, let alone a child. Anyway, the wildlife and police department investigated and it turned out the guy's a bear hunter and they found where he had been baiting the bear, which is illegal as bear are not animals that can be hunted in this area. He's facing up to $4,000 in fines).

Adult Pony Rider Clique http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[equinemidwife]

We may not officially have cougars, but I know quite a few people in our area who have seen them over the years .... a biology teacher and her husband, a farrier, a cattle farmer, a contracter. And they do know what they saw. All were surprised, but knew it wasn't a bobcat or big dog. I also have heard several people talk about bears and several have been documented within the last few years. But those are all quite rare and it's the coyotes that worry me as they are HERE and will undoubtably grow in number.

[Foxhunt4me]

Cougar / Mountain Lion are spreading back across the US as most states have no hunting for them. Of course now with higher population densities thay are causing a lot of trouble. Talk about an animal that will launch an unprovoked attack on a human.

We have had incidences of horses in this area that have been attacked and have claw slashes on them . Horses are an easy target being in paddocks as opposed to a deer running free but other than babies I am not sure they could kill a horse easily.

The first thing you will get from your local wildlife 'experts ' and State DNR is denial that it is a mountian lion. Then, when someone provides vidoetape as one man did here when it was under his pickup truck at his house, they eventually listen and admit that the animals exist. I saw this in both Iowa and Nebraska - you are best to trust reports from knowledgable hunters and farmers about whether an animal is in your state. There was even a moose found in Nebraska a few years back and the experts all KNOW they don't live here. One musta got drunk in Minnesota and lost his way.

[Camstock]

In Iowa we have cougars. Our DNR has kept the public well-informed. Sightings are regularly on the news. One was hit and killed by a car about a year and a half ago. Can you imagine the driver's surprise? http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[Kestrel]

I live in the suburbs of Seattle on a 500 acre equestrian park, which has a population of agressive coyotes (or coydogs, I'm not sure about their breeding). They will follow people walking in the woods and will follow and chase horses with riders. The kids in the area fill their pockets with rocks when they go out. Some of the coyotes will walk across my deck and stare in the windows at me. There are very few cats in the neighborhood over 2 years old.
We also get black bears and cougars in the neighborhoods around here pretty regularly. The bears especially like the dumpster at the Rib restaurant and any back yard with a bird feeder. Also known to eat poodles when available.

[x-rab]

Coyotes occupy the same ecological niche that fox do. Since they are bigger and faster than fox, if the coyotes move in, then fox usually move out.

[wateryglen]

Further update: The coyotes are gone ie: no sign of them, don't hear them. Does anyone know if this is normal? Bet their food supply is depleted for now as they were here all summer. Foxes are gone also. This is very sad as they were numerous here. Lots of deer tho! Decision made to hunt the coyotes if they return. I am getting 2 PMU foals(weanlings) in Nov. and have fingers crossed this isn't a problem. I anticipate return of coyotes tho. I live on a mountain ridge and bet they move up & down it. Stay tuned!

[Nancy!]

I live in BC and have had several experiences with coyotes. Two attacked my dog right next to my house. My husband went out and my cattle dog was fine - not a mark on him and they ran off but my husband shot one.

The next time I was riding with friends and my dog was much older. It came up behind us and we chased it like a fox hunt. Was lots of fun until I realized that it had bit my dog. Luckily he was fine.

Another time a friend and I were running on my property with her dog off leash. A coyote ran at her dog and I ran at it and chased it off. It then followed us and sat on a stump about 500 yards from my barn and watched us.

I don't leave my dog out by itself for any length of time but then I'm overly protective. I did once see a coyote approach an old lame mare of mine and I ran it off as well. I think that one was more curious than anything.

I am careful but always chase them on horseback if I get a chance. But do watch because they do try and lure your dog away.

We live on the edge of town and the coyotes seem to live on the other edge of us and regularily cross our property to get to town. More cats I think.

Nancy!

www.diamondrpaints.com (http://www.diamondrpaints.com)

[Foxhunt4me]

Yep, cats taste like chicken.....

Good tales to tell , I just dont like those Coyotes around. I have not seen any here around my house for 2 years now - might be the drought has stressed them or maybe they have met their demise in other ways but good riddance.


We still have our neighborhood Fox though - one neighbor just built a chicken coop - I am sure that will keep Reynard's attention.

[Foggy Clouds]

Now Foxhunt4me, just HOW would you know that a cat tastes like chicken?????

[Foxhunt4me]

Didn't you ever go to a Chinese restaraunt and have the Mee Yow Chop Suey?

MMM MMM Good !

How about the Bow Wow Lo Mein ? Old rover is a close second !

[Foggy Clouds]

Yuck!! Fortunately Omaha isn't known for its Chinese restaurants!

[Foxhunt4me]

Hey Foggy - who do you hunt with in Iowa? Do I know you?

Talking about cougars / Mountain Lions - one was caught in town in Omaha last week ! 108 pounds ! Followed a creek into the suburbs.

Now thats worse than the coyotes....

[Foggy Clouds]

I'm the East and West coast transplant. No hunt horse at the momesnt.

[Foggy Clouds]

How do you edit? That was supposed to be "moment".

[Painted Wings]

I have had coyotes track behind me in the woods when I was riding. I have also seen several running across the fiels. We have fox too. I see the fox up near the house and the coyotes in the lower fields. One time I went down in the pasure to catch a horse and there were four coyote puppies (about 7-9 months) stalking the horses. The horses were paying no attention to them which makes me think that they are really used to having them around. My horses don't spook at deer either. The only time I had a problem with things attacking the horses was when we had a wild dog pack in the area. They are much worse than coyotes.

We did lose all of our barn cats and the farm dog (a stray that had followed me home on a trail ride once, cattle dog cross of some sort) so now the replacement cats are locked up at night and that seems to be working.

We had a cougar killed on the hwy. last year about 50 miles from here but I've never seen any evidence of them on our farm.

The hunt club is less than a mile away and they hunt through our place all the time. I wouldn't mind it at all if they would catch a few of those pesky coyotes.

http://members.aol.com/lesliegra

[wateryglen]

Update: They're back! All 7 of them but 1 killed on road by car. It appears the pair had 5 cubs and are being seen by area folks. 3 came out of a hole and barked at a tractor once before they ran off. They howl at night with any sirens they hear and my dog joins in! I've had no further confrontations which makes me wonder if the only time they're really dangerous is when they have small cubs like last summer. My dog is clearly scared of them and whines when he smells them (bitten once). I am worried tho'as I am awaiting the arrival of 2 weanlings and hope the coyotes leave them alone. Have had only glimpses of the coyotes and mostly they seem to be running away. Thanks for the info everyone. I am learning to cope!

[Peggy]

Never had a problem with our California coyotes when trail riding. It is a bit strange when they stare at you as you ride by, tho. When we rode in Malibu years ago there were a lot of coyotes and we never brought our dogs along. Maybe an old horsewives tale, but we were told that you might have more problems if there was a dog along.

And definitely lock up your cats and poultry at night.

[Foxhunt4me]

Hey foggy - your own posts will have an extra icon in the lower left with a folder - the middle icon - you click on that to edit.

Well if you are in Des Moines - Moingona hunts near there , out in the western part of the state there are 3 active hunts. I am not sure about the eastern part of Iowa but as I recall there was a Hunt in Illinois near Galena.

[poltroon]

My horse lives about 100 yards from the City of Los Angeles boundary, and we have coyotes pretty regularly. They made me nervous at first, but even when I've come across them alone, at night, they have never threatened me or been aggressive towards me or my horse. Sometimes we chase them off.

Feral dogs would be a much bigger worry, or dog-hybrids.

The coyotes absolutely will eat a small dog or a cat. But for my health and safety, I'm more worried about the mice that keep getting into my tack locker.

[Sleepy]

Coyotes are NOT indigenous to this area. I might take a less hard line if they were. They have been imported, probably by people on game preserves who wanted to hunt them - the fish in a barrel approach. That was the explanation I got from my hunter (guy with a gun) who keeps my groundhog population in check. And just to make things interesting, I now have a bobcat.

But coyote WILL have an impact on the already decreasing fox population because they are competing for the same food. I have never seen a fox snatch a dog though and coyote will.

''Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.''
- Pablo Picasso