Coyote Ugly: Coyotes may soon be hanging out in your backyard

[onedef92]

Coyotes may soon be hanging out in your backyard
October 15th, 2012 08:51 AM ET


“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!”

Those creatures had Dorothy worried on the yellow brick road in "The Wizard of Oz" – and now you may need to worry about seeing them and other large carnivores in your backyard, an Ohio State University researcher says.

OK, there shouldn’t be any tigers – they aren’t found in the wild in North America – but lions (mountain), bears, wolves and coyotes are finding urban areas to be just right for a comfortable existence, says Stan Gehrt, an associate professor of environment and natural resources.

Gehrt says coyotes are leading the urban invasion by formerly rural carnivores.

“The coyote is the test case for other animals. Raccoons, skunks, foxes – they’ve already been able to penetrate the urban landscape pretty well. The coyote is the most recent and largest,” Gehrt said in a university press release.

One pack of coyotes has established a territory and is thriving about five miles from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, the third busiest airport in the country, according to Budget Travel.

“That’s an indication that they don’t have to go far to find food and water. They’re finding everything they need right there, in the suburbs of Chicago,” Gehrt said.

Coyotes spotted in New York City

And he said the urban environments may be even better than rural ones for the coyotes, with pups surviving in urban areas at five times the rate they do in rural settings.

“They’re so adaptable and so opportunistic,” Gehrt said. “In adjusting to urban life, they may change dietary items and habitat use, and become nocturnal, whereas in the country they’re active day and night. But with other things, they don’t change at all. Here, they’re able to maintain their social structure, territorialism, packs and mating system, even in the face of all these challenges of trying to live among 9 million people.”

In an earlier release, Gehrt said one trait that may be helping coyotes thrive in urban areas is their monogamy, which means dads are around to help raise the kids.

“If the female were to try to raise those large litters by herself, she wouldn’t be able to do it. But the male spends just as much time helping to raise those pups as the female does,” he said.

The urban coyotes pose little danger to humans, Gert said, and can be easily scared off by yelling at them or throwing a rock at them.

“You’re doing them a favor. They show a healthy respect and fear of people and that’s the way it should be,” he said.

Have you seen a large carnivore in the city? Tell us about it.

They also eat rodents and even bugs which can pose dangers to human health, he said. Of course, they may also eat your dog or cat.

The abundance of carnivore food may also bring larger carnivores into urban settings.

Gehrt said a mountain lion was recently killed in the Wrigleyville area of Chicago.

Sightings of mountain lions and bears in suburban areas are increasingly common. And they can pose a bigger danger to humans.

“They are going to be an even bigger challenge,” Gehrt said.

[DAB]

already have them here, seen several over the last 2 years, including one about 20 feet from the bedroom window. i chased it off.

snapped one pic:

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad214/brinkmancorvette/IMG_0755.jpg

[onedef92]

We saw one in our church parking lot a couple of winter's ago at 6 a.m. prayer. Did not like the look in his eye, stood on the horn and frightened him off.

I saw two this past spring at the U.S. Census Bureau parking lot in Jeffersonville, IN when I worked there. At first I was like, "that's the damned skinniest German Shepherd I've ever seen in my life" until I realized they were coyotes.

[Yerf Dog]

I saw one a couple of months ago in our neighborhood.

But by the time I put both cats outside, he had already gone. :shrug: :D

[onedef92]

They are awful wily and lowdown and dirty, too.

[Bucwheat]

They are pretty much everywhere,I shot one two years ago in another county in Ga.

[6spdC6]

I live out in the boonies on a large lake. We have them all Coyotes, Coy dogs, the occasional wolf and recently mountain lions are being spotted.

Lots of pets have disappeared and some farm animals killed. Many nights you can hear the Yotes howl on the mountain that’s right behind my house. I have seen a few, but never got off a shot as they pass quickly through close to the crick on the far end of my property. One day 3 winters ago I witnessed a deer being chased by a bunch of yotes, they all ran down my driveway. As the driveway was plowed the deer had the advantage and the yotes broke off the chase when I opened the door.

Many up here hunt the yotes and they tell me that we are overloaded with them, looks like the deer herd is in for trouble when the snow comes.

[onedef92]

Lots of pets have disappeared and some farm animals killed.

On the tangent tip, the raptor population has become increasingly bold across Kentuckiana. Several cats and puppies in my subdivision have been attacked by Red Tail Hawks, Turkey Vultures and owls (the latter during the pre-dawn hours).

We have to be careful when walking Bruce, as he is still small enough to be attacked and carried off by one of the larger, predatory fowls. :ohnoes:

[island14]

Of course, they may also eat your dog or cat.

I wonder if they are a danger to small children?

[onedef92]

I wonder if they are a danger to small children?

I have it on good authority those savage cormorants are. :D

[Bucwheat]

I live out in the boonies on a large lake. We have them all Coyotes, Coy dogs, the occasional wolf and recently mountain lions are being spotted.

Lots of pets have disappeared and some farm animals killed. Many nights you can hear the Yotes howl on the mountain that’s right behind my house. I have seen a few, but never got off a shot as they pass quickly through close to the crick on the far end of my property. One day 3 winters ago I witnessed a deer being chased by a bunch of yotes, they all ran down my driveway. As the driveway was plowed the deer had the advantage and the yotes broke off the chase when I opened the door.

Many up here hunt the yotes and they tell me that we are overloaded with them, looks like the deer herd is in for trouble when the snow comes.

They do run pretty fast.

[6spdC6]

Lots of pets have disappeared and some farm animals killed.

On the tangent tip, the raptor population has become increasingly emboldened across Kentuckiana. Several cats and puppies in my subdivision have been attacked by Red Tail Hawks, Turkey Vultures and owls (the latter during the pre-dawn hours).

We have to be careful when walking Bruce, as he is still small enough to be attacked and carried off by one of the larger, predatory fowls. :ohnoes:


I hear you, owls at night here get a lot of the "summer folk" small animals. Us ‘’yeararounders ‘’know you do not let your 4 legged friends out at night alone. (Sometimes not during the day either)

I heard an owl get a cat one night a few years back at the neighbor’s camp, cat let out a noise that would have made your blood curdle. You could hear the cat still screeching and the owl’s wings beating as it flew through the trees! Surreal

We have 3 very big Maine Coon cats, but they are 100% indoor cats.

[99 pewtercoupe]

There is a retired couple in our neighborhood that have two Teacup Yorkies that they walk without leashes. The dogs run around and dont stay very close to them. I have warned them that I have seen a coyote in our neighborhood already and even pointed out a hawk sitting in a tree. One of these days a hawk or yote is gonna snatch one or both of those dogs right before their eyes

[Frizzle]

Coyote have been spotted in Philly in the parks. Been out here in the burbs for a few years.

Biggest issue is the anti-hunting/Peta/city peeps don't understand that Deer and Coyote are issues and need their population kept in check. Luckily in PA Coyote season is year round, and 1 kill a day. :D

[Brett K]

We are surrounded by farmland and have some as well. They are hard to put a stalk on in an open field to get a shot at.

[Kerrmudgeon]

"The dingos ate my baby".......aren't dingos Auzzy coyotes?:yesnod:


Soooo..... Wilie Coyote is going to eat Mickey and Minnie??:cry:

http://godandshoes.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/wylie-coyote.gif

[mrvette]

1/4 acre burb here, guarantee we see anything like that around here, and out comes the rifles and for ME, my 12 ga 00 buck.....

:seasix:

[ApexOversteer]

1/4 acre burb here, guarantee we see anything like that around here, and out comes the rifles and for ME, my 12 ga 00 buck.....

:seasix:

Yeah, that's what you want on your suburban street, a jibberish babbling loon with a shotty, chasing "Coyotes"... :rofl:

[Fastguy]

We already have them here, but they are "protected". One bit my dog pretty bad right off our patio and we had to put him down. If I see one again, it won't be pretty.

[Skia]

We have a pack living behind our house, you can hear them at night. Open season year round here and as far as I know there is a bounty on them.

[Omega Man]

I wonder if they are a danger to small children?

They are a danger to anything small. They are not dogs, they are wild animals. We have plenty in Texas. The new thing is the 'Yotes and the pigs fighting for control over the land.

I am hoping to hog and 'Youte hunting in the next few weeks.

nothing is as pretty as a Cayote pelt. Makes for good pillows, chair covers, hats, etc.

A tanned hide is worth about $350-$400 depending on the size.

[island14]

They are a danger to anything small. They are not dogs, they are wild animals. We have plenty in Texas. The new thing is the 'Yotes and the pigs fighting for control over the land.

I am hoping to hog and 'Youte hunting in the next few weeks.

nothing is as pretty as a Cayote pelt. Makes for good pillows, chair covers, hats, etc.

A tanned hide is worth about $350-$400 depending on the size.

You would think with the price of hides being so good there wouldn't be too many of them.

My neighbors would take em just for the meat... :D

[island14]

We already have them here, but they are "protected". One bit my dog pretty bad right off our patio and we had to put him down. If I see one again, it won't be pretty.

We don't have them around here, but if we did and they were a danger to my kids or pets, I would be setting up sand bags and lay in the cut. :yesnod:

[DAB]

You can shoot them on sight. No permit needed.

[island14]

You can shoot them on sight. No permit needed.

Even in City Limits? :island14:


Not sure where Fastguy is but they are protected where he lives. :confused5:

[DAB]

Even in City Limits? :island14:


Not sure where Fastguy is but they are protected where he lives. :confused5:

Other rule: can't discharge firearm within 150 yards of occupied dwelling without owner permission.

[Jobaka]

Even in City Limits? :island14:


Not sure where Fastguy is but they are protected where he lives. :confused5:

Laws vary regionally and locally. Urban/suburban Massachusetts (Fastguy) is going to be far more strict than Middle-Of-Nowhere, New Mexico (DAB).

[Jobaka]

Yeah, that's what you want on your suburban street, a jibberish babbling loon with a shotty, chasing "Coyotes"... :rofl:

:omg: :rofl: That's damn funny. No offense, Gene.

[onedef92]

I heard an owl get a cat one night a few years back at the neighbor’s camp, cat let out a noise that would have made your blood curdle. You could hear the cat still screeching and the owl’s wings beating as it flew through the trees! Surreal.


To paraphrase Thoreau, mighty is the hand of aboriginal nature (and shit).

[NEVRL8T]

already have them here,

:iagree:
We have them here by the droves. I do a lot of coyote hunting. Love to take them down from 350 yards out.

[8Up]

Yep, got 'em. Year round open season, no limit.

[NEVRL8T]

Yep, got 'em. Year round open season, no limit.

Us too, almost. We can legally hunt them during any open hunting (any game) season, which in Arkansas, is pretty much year round.

[onedef92]

I know a girl from Nevada who had a small, coyote-looking, shepherd mix of a dog once named "Chili. "

She tied a red bandana around its neck so the ranchers wouldn't mistake it for a coyote and shoot it.

[Yamma]

We've got plenty near us, and a bobcat or two has also been spotted within 1/2 mile of the house. While I've never seen any in the neighborhood, I still don't let my pups out of sight, and I only let them out the front door at night (on leashes) since there's a small patch of woods behind us.

[Stangkiller]

We know where the Coyote dens are on the ranch...we will kill the Coyotes off as soon as grandmas evil dog disappears. :leaving:

[78SA]

$350 each? I'd make a killing. :lol:

[wickedstyxx]

Got em here in eastern South Carolina.
They love road kill deer.

[onedef92]

Shoot coyotes in NM, win assault rifle as prize

Posted: Thu, Oct. 18, 2012, 12:28 PM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Coyote hunters in New Mexico will have the chance to compete for a couple of high-caliber grand prizes just in time for the holidays , a pair of Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifles.

A shooting range and gun store in Albuquerque is hosting a two-day contest to see who can kill the most coyotes, despite protests from environmentalists.

KOB-TV reports Albuquerque gun business holding coyote contest | KOB.com[/url]) that Calibers Shooting Sports Center is holding the challenge for two-member teams beginning Dec. 1.

Susan Weiss, an advocate for the "Coexist with Coyotes" group, calls the competition "immoral and disgusting."

Caliber's owner, Ryan Burt, says he came up with the idea after he was approached by several ranchers from around the state who have been dealing with coyotes harming livestock.

Coyotes have no protection under New Mexico law.

,,,

Information from: KOB-TV, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Local News, Breaking News, KOB Eyewitness News 4 | KOB.com (http://www.kob.com)