[showmebob]

I wasn't sure where to put this but here it is. Mods, feel free to move if needed.

http://beta.local.yahoo.com/news-jogger-attacked-coyotes-put-down

[Sheepdog1968]

We had this happen a couple of years ago in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The tree huggers were in an uproar. In my mind it was only a matter of time before the coyote would have snatched up a baby from a stroller. It needed to be put down.

[ApacheCoTodd]

I wonder if the "open space" Ranger got the right one with the first kill. I've so far only been concerned about these rascals trying to lure my dogs into the brush - never figured I'd have to worry about me...

[showmebob]

I never trust any wild animal. I was once chased by a fox in AZ while I was riding a motorcycle. He was in the road and came at me as I rode by. Always carry.

[Gator 23]

Texas Governor Perry shot a coyote last year while jogging with his lab. Gotta love TX.

[mjbike]

When did they start calling them "open space Ranger" ???
Sounds pretty strange to me.

[harrygunner]

Surprised they are that aggressive. Glad the joggers will be OK. I'll have to be more careful. They are all around us, even walk down our street at night.

One time I was walking at night in an unpopulated grassy area and two were coming my way through the tall, dry grass. They did not know I was there.

They were howling and playing with each other. (Imagine how loud that sounds when they are twenty yards away.) I turned on my flashlight and pointed in their direction. They scattered fast. Other times, I see them cross my path in front, then they hide in the grass waiting for me to pass. One was standing still just off the trail, but shaking so much I could hear the dry grass vibrating under his feet.

But, I always carry enough gun for a coyote.

[newbuckeye]

When did they start calling them "open space Ranger" ???
Sounds pretty strange to me.

Is that Buzz Lightyear with his face mask open?

[cor_man257]

Thought the same thing about "open space ranger".

What the heck?

[Bentley4700]

Thought the same thing about "open space ranger".

What the heck?


Its Boulder.....:eek:

[460Kodiak]

I hate the general statements in this story, but it is a valid point.

"Wildlife experts warn that coyotes are getting more aggressive."

Yes in urban settings were they have learned that people are not to be feared. I know a lot of people who are terrified of coyotes, and act like they are all rabid because they walked through the ally behind their house. This is BS. All animals are currently undergoing a behavioral adaptation and evolution transition right now. As habitat fragmentation grows, and human habitation increases, animals are either learning to adapt and live in their, now, altered environment, or they are migrating out of developed areas, or they are dying. Don't expect a suburban coyote to behave anywhere close to the same way a coyote in "the wild" does. The truly adaptive generalists have learned that human waste provides easy meals, thus they are not put off by our presence. I'm not saying they aren't dangerous if cornered, are defending young, or are desperate for food though. This does not mean that they are becoming more aggressive, and they should not be demonized. Be wary of any animal, wild or domestic.

I live in a very rural setting, and I work in the woods in the middle of nowhere, alone. I have had a coyote charge me in broad daylight and realize very quickly that it had bit off more than it could chew. It was probably a female that had pups near by. 99% of coyotes will run like hell when they see you or your vehicle.

I've also been chased by a domestic bull, (I've never ran faster in my life), dive bombed by a northern goshawk, had a bat follow me and flutter above me in broad daylight (That was creepy because it was behaving strangely and in daylight, so it was probably sick.), had a man accuse me of being up to no good on his property with a shotgun in hand (I wasn't on his property, he was just an ass.), been nearly ran over by three large whitetail bucks that were spooked by a dirt bike, been nearly run over by 6 elk that were spooked by my coworkers, and the one time I was actually injured by an animal was by a damn domestic dog. It was a border collie. I was walking back to my truck, it came out of the woods ahead of me, it calmly came walking toward me with its tail wagging, ears up, and a friendly look on its face, with a red scarf tied around its neck. I put my left hand out for it to smell and said "Hey pup.", and if kept coming, ignored my hand, and bit me in the leg........ hard! :cuss:

No animal is to be trusted unless it is YOUR pet.

[Ben86]

"Open space ranger?" Sort of an odd thing to call a park ranger. I guess when astronaut and cosmonaut are taken.

Dangerous wild animals are just one reason I carry.

Recently in my locale there were roosters allowed to run free in a downtown city (sort of a tourist attraction). They started attacking small children, scratching and pecking them pretty bad. I would have shot those roosters. I don't have any patience for violent animals.

[zonzin]

Just go to YouTube and search for Coyote Attack,, more than you think.



.

[OregonJohnny]

The only time I'm "worried" about coyotes is when I'm walking my dog near where I've seen them. He's a Welsh Corgi, and probably looks like the perfect size meal to them. I'm probably a slight deterrent to the average lone coyote, but if there were enough of them, and they were hungry enough, I wouldn't put it past them to come after my dog even if he's on a leash at my side.

If I'm walking without my dog, I assume that I don't look like an easy meal to a coyote, and I'm not quite as cautious when walking by a field or grove of trees.

A few years ago, I was walking alone on a sidewalk next to an orchard, and spotted a coyote in the middle of a side road, about 50 yards away. I froze and stared at him. He froze and stared right back at me. We just kind of stood there in a staring contest for about 30 seconds. Finally, he ran off into the orchard.

If a coyote made any kind of deliberate move in my direction, I'd be on high alert, as that isn't typical behavior. Around here, they are very wary of people, and you'll only catch a fleeting glimpse. A coyote, alone or in a pack, continuing in my direction after spotting me, would elicit an immediate draw of my handgun.

[Ben86]

A few years ago, I was walking alone on a sidewalk next to an orchard, and spotted a coyote in the middle of a side road, about 50 yards away. I froze and stared at him. He froze and stared right back at me. We just kind of stood there in a staring contest for about 30 seconds. Finally, he ran off into the orchard.

This is similar to most people's experience with these mostly avoidant creatures.

In my most recent experience I was looking at a field next to my house. A lone coyote suddenly stood up in the middle of the tall grass. We stared at each other for about 30 seconds then it trotted off into the woods without looking back. It was probably a scout. Coyotes send "scouts" in different directions to search for meal opportunities instead of bringing the whole pack everywhere. They are surprisingly intelligent, tactical creatures. I have the utmost respect for them as long as they aren't after my animals or my people, or people in general.

[MCgunner]

Took one out at near 400 yards with a .308 once. :D

Some folks are sure paranoid of nature. probably ought to stay in the house. :rolleyes: I mean, I'm armed 24/7, but it's because of my mistrust of my fellow man, not nature. I've spent my life in the woods, or the marsh, or any of many other open spaces, either hunting, fishing, or hiking or just enjoying. The only animal that's ever attacked me were a couple of domestic dogs. Oh, there was this Javelina once, but only after shooting him too far back with a 7mm Rem Mag and blood trailing him for 300 yards. You'd be POed at me too if I'd done that to you. :D

[newbuckeye]

This guy ran past my ground blind during gun season this fall. I just happened to have my GP 100 .357 sitting on my lap... I have a shoot on sight policy with 'yotes.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/flipntired/1203111029.jpg

[dcarch]

I was walking through some fields this past summer, and the corn was over head height. It was around dusk, and I began to hear yapping and yipping from BOTH fields on either side of me. I heard them running through the field on my right, probably no further than twenty feet from me. I really wasn't worried, but it sure was a hair raising sound. And for those who doubt that 'yotes will attack, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/10/28/ns-coyote-attack-died.html. It happens.

[marine 97-03]

There all over alabama...fun hunting indeed ....along with wild hogs....

[MachIVshooter]

Wildlife experts are warning that coyotes are getting more aggressive.

I can vouch for that. Adults aren't usually at much risk, but children can be seriously injured or killed.

I live in a very rural area in Eastern CO, there have always been tons of 'yotes, but the worst that usually happened was stupid cats or small dogs had very short life spans. This year, however, they've displayed unheard of levels of aggression and brazenness. Walking right up to my fence in broad daylight with my 115 lb GSD barking like crazy, hanging out in pastures and fields completely carefree about people being near. The last one I shot, I walked straight at her, and she just watched me. I stopped about 120 yards short and took aim. She was still staring at me until the bullet hit her in the neck.

They're not bears or big cats, but still wild animals with sharp teeth, and they do work in packs. One should always remember that and act/prepare accordingly.

[ApacheCoTodd]

While I've noted no increased aggression for my part (though don't doubt it as reported) I have seen a marked change in the Sonoran and White Mountain coyotes behavior when I'm out with one of my dogs should the dog be in heat. This alone is what has caused me to start carrying while running with the dogs - well, that and a seriously unfortunate and expensive sidewinder interaction, damn the buzz-worms!