Coyotes use to be extinct in my grow area but in the mid 80's they began to return and I noticed the first small den of 4 animals. I didnt know anything about them, so on that initial encounter, i acted very aggressive and confrontational, running at them yelling and slamming my shovel against the ground. Over the next 10 yrs, 2 more dens moved into the area and I acted the same way when i first encountered them. Twenty + years later, those same dens still existand I have never had any negative encounters with them. They know me and I believe understand that if not confronted, i am no threat. Even though the animals in the pack have changed, they seem to have passed on our mutual understanding.

Other guerilla growers in areas surrounding mine however, have for the past year or so told me the animals that they encounter in their areas are very aggressive and dangerous and some have taken to carrying handguns. I have trouble believing that. Ive done a couple of searches but ive read nothing that would indicate aggression toward humans. There was one news article out of Calif. of coyotes attempting to take a child from a yard in a rural area, but nothing else.

Does anyone know anything about these animals? Has anyone encounterd packs of them and felt threatened? Im puzzled by the different perceptions and experience between me and others. Ive never had any indication that they would be aggressive or dangerous.

anyone?

[FreezerBoy]

Children are food. Hard to imagine them going after a grown man unless it's about protecting young. But then I've encountered a pack, let alone been surrounded. Most I've seen is pairs or a mom and some pups. Is it possible your pals are easily frightened.

Get Saibai to send you some monkeys.

I hear you on the easily frightened FreezerBoy. They've scared my wife and she's not wanting me to go out after sunset or before daylight. I enjoy the peace of those times.

The packs I see are large now, with 12/15 adults. I recently came upon a pack that had only momments earlier taken a young deer. When I popped into the openning, the big alpha male ran at me making the sound they make,(they dont really bark), but i backed away and the rest of the animals pulled the deer away. I went the opposite direction. That is the only even remotely negative encounter Ive had and i see them every trip out.

[fishheadbob]

Coyotes have been around here for a good 15 years but I rarely see one. Every blue moon I might see one at a distance in a field. Mostly you can hear them on occasion yipping at whatever they yip at . I think they are great since they keep bunnies, and mice numbers down. I'd guess that the deer you saw wasn't killed by the coyotes, that's rather big for them, they were probably scavenging it, but we don't seem to have large packs in these parts so I don't really know.

Yeah, fisheadbob, they take young deer, fawns up to a month old all the time. I come across the kills with only the hooves and parts of the head left and a big area of flattened grass where you can tell the struggle occurred. I think they come upon them hidden in the tall grass and the mother runs.

My neighbor told me that he knew they killed and ate a newborn calf and he beliefs the pack came upon the cow giving birth and actually killed the calf before it was fully birthed, causing the cow to try and run in mid birth. He said he's putting his cows that are near birth in pen near the barn now.

[BACKCOUNTRY]

Coyotes are cowards, at least the ones out here are.
I've only actually seen them a few times running across a field(chasing livestock). But once they see a human, they scatter. Of course, in urban settings they are known to steal small dogs and cats right out of peoples yards, but this is a learned behavior for a easy reward.

I don't fear the Coyote myself at all, but I do fear for my smaller livestock, thay can be murder on them. Insted, I'm more worried about Cougers......

[Derty]

I grew up in a northern wilderness area with a lot of coyote's in the area. There were a lot of farmers with cattle and livestock. Never heard of any animals or people that were attacked by them. They fear humans and stay hidden during the daytime. I have heard them at night. They were very active during the deer hunting season. During the day you would occasionally see one or two looking for wounded deer that were easy for them to find. When there is plenty of wild game they are not a threat. Stay clear of any denning areas in the spring when they have their young and you should be ok.

That's pretty much what Ive experienced Backcountry. They seem avoidant to me. Its usually at night that I encounter them. I do think they hunt ferrel cats, which are thick around cattle barns where the feed attracts rats. Cougars are serious stuff. They attack from a ambush position. Thats a real growing challenge now. Being killed and eaten!

Derty, I still doubt my neighbors story, unless the calf was still born maybe. I think peoples fears run away with them. I see them at roadkill deer at night all the time on country roads. Easy meal, as is a fawn hidden in the grass.

[Hindu Killer]

Here they are seldom seen..but ever present. We have cats come up missing and rarely a small dogs. Just the other night I was out and yippy yipp was going on around me...was thinking to myself all I have is this shovel. Anything can happen! Let us not forgett this!

[hamstring]

Isn’t a great bonus to see wildlife as we tend to our plots. I am big fan of and have respect for the wildlife in my area. I have encountered coyotes a few times this year and one in particular. I once saw him shadowing a calf that had a bad leg but the mother cow would not let him get close. Like most dogs coyotes are opportunist that if given the chance will go after most anything. In my experience they are very shy and reclusive but I will admit many years ago while coming back from a plot at dusk hearing a group of them vocalizing was frightening when you are all alone out there but I do not think I really had anything to worry about.

They are or have reintroduced many animals in the Midwest, Turkey, Otter, Wolf (as far south as WI) and even a wild Cougar (it was deemed not a released or escaped pet) was spotted in northern IL. I know others are not so happy because of their family pets security but I say lets all live together. I love hearing about other growers from Canada and Northwest US who have a lot of other concerns than farmer John on his combine.
I actually look forward to the day when you have to be concerned that you are not the dominant predator in the bush anymore.
PEACE