Sept. 27, 2022
Marjorie is a hunter. She hides behind a maple tree in our backyard and waits for the coyotes to
slip silently across our urban lot. And they come. We have a pack living in a wilderness park
that abuts our property. Lots of space for our local coyotes husband and wife to procreate. Exactly
where they have hidden their den I am not sure.
Coyotes are not endangered. Nor are most of the pets who coexist with the coyotes. Coyotes density
varies to as high as 2.3 coyotes per square kilometre in Canada. We live in a coyote dense area.
Probably because some neighbours feed them while other neighbours fear them.
Marjorie got this picture as our dog Woody confronted one small coyote who comes to see him every day…occasionally the whole pack appear
but their camouflage is so good that I rarely see them. They can stand as still and immovable as a gravestone. I am glad they are present…glad
they have learned to coexist with humans. You may not feel that way because a pack of coyotes may have silently appeared as you walk
your little dog. According to authorities on coyotes you have little to fear. They will attack dogs only because the coyotes feel dogs are a
threat to their normal food source of rabbits, squirrels, insects, rodents in general. I hear you screaming that I am wrong. Authorities seem
to agree with me however.
SOLUTION TO COYOTE FEAR
Marjorie bought me a hand gun just in case a coyote attacked Woody. Cost was $2 with ammunition. Nice looking hand gun that we got
at the Dollar Store and I packed under my belt one dark evening just in case we were attacked. Sure as God made little green apples
an attack occurred. An adult coyote slid from behind a tree and danced across our path. I made a quick draw with the gun and managed
to fire three quick shots. Bang! Bang! Bang! I think I got the coyote. He or she disappeared. Wounded?
Where was Woody? He broke free from Marjorie and took off dragging his leash. Was he in hot pursuit of the cap gun wounded
coyote. Not in the least. He ran to a neighbours open doorway. Then slunk back to us. Was he a coward? Maybe. Marjorie thinks
one of our coyotes gave him a slap in the ass when he got too close to the pack. Woody is not s fighter. He does raise proper hell
however every time a coyote comes up to our back fence. Protecting us? Possibly. But more likely telling Marjorie, hidden behind
the maple tree, that a coyote wants its picture taken.
alan skeoch
Sept. 27, 2022
Our lot is large….400 feet deep, part of what was once the last
patch of land owned by the Mississauga people before they were
hustled off to the New Credit reserve near Brantford.
This coyote looks friendly, right?
This coyotes does not look friendly, right?
IS MY PET SAFE? HOW CAN I PROTECT THEM?
Coyote Watch Canada labels coyotes as opportunistic omnivores, meaning their diet usually consists of smaller species like rodents and rabbits, as well as berries and insects. The wildlife organization says that while coyotes might not be able to distinguish a cat between one of their usual preys, dogs are not a common food source. Caution should still be taken however as coyotes often see dogs as a threat to their family or as potential competition for food.
I did not take these close up picture of coyotes. They are too smart for that.
They fear my cap gun.
Part of our lot is fenced to keep Woody from wandering. The other
half of the lot is not fenced so that coyotes can coexist with us.
