Coyote Problem

I don't have much of an informed opinion on shock collars or training solutions, but we have quite a few coyotes around here as well. Many, MANY people have lost dogs, cats, and livestock to coyotes in this area. Like someone earlier said, they like to lure dogs out alone so the pack can make the kill. If it's not a dog that will give chase, sometimes the whole pack will come "make a house call."  Our solution around here is coyote hunting. It's good sport and saves domesticated animals. If I were you, I'd call up every redneck around & pay a slice of pie (or something else relatively inexpensive) for every dead coyote. Hunting AND food usually lends for a good turn out around here.

TexasDaisy

Our solution around here is coyote hunting. It's good sport and saves domesticated animals. If I were you, I'd call up every redneck around & pay a slice of pie (or something else relatively inexpensive) for every dead coyote. Hunting AND food usually lends for a good turn out around here.

Killing is good sport????  

Disrupting a coyote family group can actually cause suddenly orphaned juvenile coyotes to prey on easy targets like small dogs and cats, so your reasoning, in addition to being appallingly disrespectful of life, is erroneous.  Coyotes are also great natural controllers of the rodent population, and reduce the need for poisons and trapping.  A rodent free pasture is a safer pasture for horses and cattle - and coyotes seldom attack those animals unless they are extremely weak or ill.  While coyotes will occasionally prey on sheep, or other smaller livestock, and a farmer might argue that an individual coyote's death might be justified for that reason, in my opinion the use of a livestock guarding breed of dog, such as a Great Pyrenees, easily obviates the need for a shotgun.  A majority of coyotes prey on squirrels, rabbits, and destructive rodents.  If you have Lyme disease or Erlichia or other tick borne diseases in your area, you will appreciate that coyotes like to dine on the white-footed mouse, which is a vector for those diseases.  They will alter their diet, breeding habits, etc. depending on their environment, to survive, and have proven virtually impossible to eradicate since they are so intelligent and opportunistic. If I say what I really think of the type people who think it's *fun* to kill them, I will certainly get red inked, so suffice to say we are certainly not on the same page with regard to wildlife management. 

They will alter their diet, breeding habits, etc. depending on their environment, to survive, and have proven virtually impossible to eradicate since they are so intelligent and opportunistic. If I say what I really think of the type people who think it's *fun* to kill them, I will certainly get red inked, so suffice to say we are certainly not on the same page with regard to wildlife management

Yeah,,,kind of agree here. 

Just read an article about them...how they have survived in growing neighborhoods because they adapt to the way they change. One of few animals that could do that. In our city, our animal control just wants us to report them so they know where they seem to be lurking...they have done nothing to try to rid our city of them. For us...we worry about our pets....and leave the coyotes alone.

TexasDaisy

Our solution around here is coyote hunting. It's good sport and saves domesticated animals.

 I have no problem with hunting. I grew up in a hunting family, my husband hunts , my sons hunt. I have never hunted coyotes since I cannot eat them. I will say that the coyotes around here probably could use some hunting. They are a lot of them and they have no fear of humans. Perhaps hunting them would instill this fear that in my opinion would be beneficial for both the coyote and the humans.

 Those here are pretty bold. I have had them sit near our fence and tease our dogs. When they see me come out they do nto run away. They will retreat a distance if I throw rocks at them, but they do not flee in fear. Many here do not have fences yet and I cannot help but wonder what their response would be to a toddler outside alone, after all they have snatched dogs and cats right out from under their owners noses, in their owners own back yards.

 Killing a few might not be a bad idea, but we cannot shoot them when they are near the house. There are far to many houses within range and I would worry about a stray bullet hurting someone. My husband is talking about buying a pellet gun as the paint ball guns do not have the range needed. I have also thought about loading up some 410 shells with rock salt and blasting a couple. Just enough to give them a healthy respect for people.

 Most of the folks that hunt coyotes do so with long range rifles (cannot use those here) or packs of dogs. Deerhound, wolfhound and greyhound crosses in order to have the speed needed to catch them. Hektor is more than willing to hunt them but he does not have the speed needed.

spiritdogs

Disrupting a coyote family group can actually cause suddenly orphaned juvenile coyotes to prey on easy targets like small dogs and cats, so your reasoning, in addition to being appallingly disrespectful of life, is erroneous.  Coyotes are also great natural controllers of the rodent population, and reduce the need for poisons and trapping.  A rodent free pasture is a safer pasture for horses and cattle - and coyotes seldom attack those animals unless they are extremely weak or ill.  While coyotes will occasionally prey on sheep, or other smaller livestock, and a farmer might argue that an individual coyote's death might be justified for that reason, in my opinion the use of a livestock guarding breed of dog, such as a Great Pyrenees, easily obviates the need for a shotgun.  A majority of coyotes prey on squirrels, rabbits, and destructive rodents.  If you have Lyme disease or Erlichia or other tick borne diseases in your area, you will appreciate that coyotes like to dine on the white-footed mouse, which is a vector for those diseases.  They will alter their diet, breeding habits, etc. depending on their environment, to survive, and have proven virtually impossible to eradicate since they are so intelligent and opportunistic. If I say what I really think of the type people who think it's *fun* to kill them, I will certainly get red inked, so suffice to say we are certainly not on the same page with regard to wildlife management. 

  Although I respect the opinion of those who deem hunting wrong, I must add that things have changed in the world. Coyotes do keep the rabbit and mouse population down and they are needed. The problem is that in the area where we are, there is nothing that hunts the coyote. The coyotes are already taking cats and dogs. They killed my neighbors cat in his backyard. They snatched another neighbors puppy up and took off with it, almost under the nose of the puppy's owner.

 I do not advoacate exterminating them, but hunting them would reduce the population and would also instill a healthy respect for humans.

 In today's world it is important to hunt a certain part of the population. Hunting deer, elk and other wildlife helps to keep the herds at the proper levels and insures there is food for all. Not hunting them would increase populations and would result in sickness and starvation. Poaching is wrong, taking the wrong sex or taking more than you are allowed is wrong, but hunting is needed. The funny thing is that most avid hunters care more about conservation than many non hunters and give of their time and money to make sure the animals are cared for and thrive.

*edited for formatting----for some reason, my paragraphs disappear when I hit post.*

 I never said I was opposed to hunting.  Certainly, all our ancestors hunted, to provide themselves with warmth, implements, and food.  I simply think that hunting for sport, or disrespecting the animals you kill, by deeming their death "sport" is despicable. Sorry, I don't buy that that's the solution to the problem.  To be honest, I think it's pretty darn arrogant of us humans to think that we have any more right to exist on Earth than any other species.  It's a dangerous world - if you eradicate spiders, snakes, bats or coyotes, you are still not safe.  Microbes might do you in.  While I think that to kill certain animals that enter your home or property could be considered self defense, and justifiable, I do not think that eradicating "any coyote I see in the area" is either justifiable or prudent.  Most of them do not do us any harm, and if we are smart enough to avoid making our little plots of land attractive to them by leaving dog food outside (or the dog, for that matter), or planting berry bushes close to the house, then they will probably avoid areas of human habitation.  Apparently, in your neighborhood, people still keep their dogs, and thus their dog food, outdoors.  Coyote magnet.  Maybe a campaign to bring the dogs in would do more than a campaign to kill the "song dogs".  The hunting that you think is going to thin out their numbers sufficiently may actually be increasing the number of family units, thus making it more likely that those new groups will move away from the territories of other coyotes, and in to the city limits. 

There are firearms solutions that you can use at closer range that don't have the distance considerations that long arms have.  A 12 gauge shotgun with #4 buckshot or smaller  is an effective coyote solution up to about 40 yards.  Actually a .410 with a slug very good on a coyote sized target.  A hunting pistol .223 or larger is also effective.  These weapons don't have the down range considerations and at close range are very effective.

spiritdogs

if we are smart enough to avoid making our little plots of land attractive to them by leaving dog food outside (or the dog, for that matter), or planting berry bushes close to the house, then they will probably avoid areas of human habitation.  Apparently, in your neighborhood, people still keep their dogs, and thus their dog food, outdoors. 

I live in the suburbs. We have coyotes-a-plenty, and in my experience they don't need an excuse to check out your yard. They are here, period. I have never had outside dogs, nor kept food outside, and I've had coyotes in my back yard. I see them crossing the street at night. When Ivan was a pup I had to escort him to pee at night - in my own yard. They have been known to jump in an open window and snatch a toy breed dog. I am completely serious. I make sure to stay alert when I'm out with my daughter after dark.

Hunting gives me the willies, but coyotes really are amazing and problematic critters.  They are very similar to dogs in that they adapt to human environments. A while back there was an uproar because two coyotes attacked a woman and her two Rhodesian Ridgebacks in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Highly unusual, but coyotes can't be taken for granted.

spiritdogs

   To be honest, I think it's pretty darn arrogant of us humans to think that we have any more right to exist on Earth than any other species.  It's a dangerous world - if you eradicate spiders, snakes, bats or coyotes, you are still not safe.  Microbes might do you in.  While I think that to kill certain animals that enter your home or property could be considered self defense, and justifiable, I do not think that eradicating "any coyote I see in the area" is either justifiable or prudent.  Most of them do not do us any harm, and if we are smart enough to avoid making our little plots of land attractive to them by leaving dog food outside (or the dog, for that matter), or planting berry bushes close to the house, then they will probably avoid areas of human habitation.  Apparently, in your neighborhood, people still keep their dogs, and thus their dog food, outdoors.  Coyote magnet.  Maybe a campaign to bring the dogs in would do more than a campaign to kill the "song dogs".  The hunting that you think is going to thin out their numbers sufficiently may actually be increasing the number of family units, thus making it more likely that those new groups will move away from the territories of other coyotes, and in to the city limits. 

Do we have more right to exist? Not necessarily, just more means to ensure our survival happens. Though it's not as lovey-dovey as the "let's all live in harmony with nature," it IS a major part of the way nature works.

Sure, the world isn't safe, but that doesn't mean we should knowingly overlook danger. Do you want into a busy street without looking? That would be reckless and stupid. Just as allowing dangerous creatures to propogate unchecked around your home is unwise. Some people do leave their dogs outside at night as people have for centuries. But the coyotes kill animals that are just let out for a few minutes on a potty break or animals that are being taken on a walk. Not everyone can afford a secure compound--most HAVE to go outside sometime. And what about the livestock owners? Should they let their pet cow live in the house to avoid being attacked by coyotes? Good luck getting people to buy THAT idea. And no one said anything about a "campaign" to kill anything. Weekend hunting to thin the numbers does NOT constitute some mass government sanctioned extermination program.

i dont think yotes are in any danger of disappearing off the face of this planet.... not any time soon at least. i like coyotes because i have a lot in common with them but there is a bit of a line in the sand. the coyotes around here are respectful. you hear them.. you see signs.. but you never see them. i rather like it that way. i dont go into their territory and they certainly dont come into mine because everyone around here knows that anything that strays into my yard has the potential to end up as dog poop... i have livestock to protect too you know. the animals i raise provide food for my family... otherwise i would be buying eggs and meat from some junk store like walmart or IGA...

i also have small children that i love with every fiber of my being. if i ever SEE a coyote on my land he had better not make the mistake of coming back because it has been well documented that coyotes will snatch small children despite the parent being close by. when it comes down to my kids and dogs or a coyote's natural pack structure.. Old Man Coyote is goin' down.... i think the government is now beyond sponsoring major eradication programs like we saw with the wolf and other large predators... those proved to be fatal mistakes in many cases. However sometimes i wonder even IF the government did sponsor such a program for coyotes would it even make a bit of difference in the population? sure it might knock it back to what it was when the wolf was still around, but i highly doubt it will any major damage.. just my own thoughts though.

and i have to agree that a coyote is probably a VERY sporting challenge. talking to lurcher men who use their sight hounds for what they were ACTUALLY bred to do i've learned that coyotes can give as good as they get!! they're nearly as fast as a deerhound, and very cunning. its not the same "challenge" as say... setting up poison or baited leg hold traps. at LEAST the coyote has a chance to survive and learn a valuable lesson which it will pass on to its offspring as opposed to just all out shooting the yote and, as someone else said, forcing the orphaned pups to fend for themselves.. however it depends on the age of the pups. sure they might catch a stray puppy or chickens in a coop... but unless they have some experience they're not likely to "bite off more than they can chew" they'll most likely stick to knocking over garbage bins and eating left over pet food.

But there it is.. Coyotes are opportunists and always will be. they have to be! they dont live in family groups forever.. at least the ones where i live dont.