Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#123034 - 10/28/09 07:18 PM Coyote Attack
Rick Offline
member

Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 708
Loc: Ontario, Canada
This is a very disturbing story. I post it here wondering whether there have been other similar cases that others may know of.

There have been suggestions that these animals may have been coydogs or rabbies may have been a factor. Suffice to say there are many unanswered questions at this point.

CBC News
Halifax Chronicle Herald
Yahoo news

Top
#123036 - 10/28/09 07:49 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
It's a shocking and sad event. I have never heard of a similar attack and will be very interested to hear what the biologists have to say, if they ever figure it out.

Suffice to say I see them occasionally and coyotes are always quite shy, unless they're preoccupied with finding their next meal. They're usually pretty small around here, which isn't the case everywhere.
_________________________
--Rick

Top
#123042 - 10/28/09 09:29 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick_D]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
"carry a knife"

good god. I bet this twit knows nothing.. sorry.. I can't forgive that advice.

I also have never heard of a (non rabies releted) coyote attack.

I definately *have* heard of people here having rabid coyotes go after them, although never more than one. At least in alberta (I don't know about down east) rabies is endemic in the bat population and surfaces semi regularly in coyotes.




Edited by phat (10/28/09 09:30 PM)
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#123045 - 10/28/09 09:42 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Oh pleeez....we have 5 coyotes that frequent my park, in my back yard, sing to us often, and are by far the most well behavd dogs in the park. I can't imagine an attack.
We've had coydogs too. My vote goes to coydogs.


Edited by Dryer (10/28/09 09:44 PM)
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

Top
#123046 - 10/28/09 09:46 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Dryer]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Yes dryer, but rabies *does* make them a bit crazy..

Having said that coyotes are the last thing I ever worry about. up here I like listening to them sing. although I bet I can do things you can't do with your coyotes..

Mr coyote is deathly afraid of wolves. for good reason. wolves will kill coyotes as a direct competitor.. So what's really neat up here when I get a pack of coyotes singing is to listen along and when you decide to go to bed, just give a good wolf call... instant silence... (seriously!) - Not sure it would work down there - you don't have the wolves.

_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#123048 - 10/28/09 10:06 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Wow, that is odd. I've had two close encounters with coyotes in the past couple weeks. I was sitting alone by our fire ring in the forest behind out house after my wife, kids, and some friends had left after a cookout and a pack came by, probably after smelling ribs and hotdogs. I didn't see them because it was pitch black dark out, but they were only about 100 ft away when they all started yipping. I turned my headlamp on and pointed their direction and they lit out in an instant. I barely heard a rustle when they did.

The other was last friday when one by himself came into our front yard to see if he could snatch one of our chickens. Our dogs saw him and chased him off.

It's legal to kill coyotes here. Not many people hunt them for sport, but some do. Right now there are far too many living nearby us and it has occured to me that I might have to shoot a few before too long. I thought I might try to pop them with a paintball gun first to see if they'd relocate on their own.

This is the first time I've heard of more than one attacking a person though. Weird.
_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



Top
#123063 - 10/29/09 06:51 AM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: billstephenson]
bigb Offline
member

Registered: 07/05/09
Posts: 124
Loc: Maryland
Coyotes have circled my camp at night and got my dog pretty riled up. The actually worried me simply because it was several and they were fighting among themselves but not actually coming into my camp. Maybe they were shy or maybe they wouldn't cross were my dog had marked as well as hearing him bark and growl, i really don't know.

I do know if you run from them they will chase and try to bring you down, they will go right into prey mode. At least a pack would especially if they had been stalking you.
_________________________
"In the beginers mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few."
Shunryu Suzuki

Top
#123065 - 10/29/09 07:42 AM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: billstephenson]
scottyb Offline
member

Registered: 05/28/08
Posts: 278
Loc: Texas Hill Country
Originally Posted By billstephenson
Wow, that is odd. I've had two close encounters with coyotes in the past couple weeks. I was sitting alone by our fire ring in the forest behind out house after my wife, kids, and some friends had left after a cookout and a pack came by, probably after smelling ribs and hotdogs. I didn't see them because it was pitch black dark out, but they were only about 100 ft away when they all started yipping. I turned my headlamp on and pointed their direction and they lit out in an instant. I barely heard a rustle when they did.

The other was last friday when one by himself came into our front yard to see if he could snatch one of our chickens. Our dogs saw him and chased him off.

It's legal to kill coyotes here. Not many people hunt them for sport, but some do. Right now there are far too many living nearby us and it has occured to me that I might have to shoot a few before too long. I thought I might try to pop them with a paintball gun first to see if they'd relocate on their own.

This is the first time I've heard of more than one attacking a person though. Weird.


We have a problem with coyotes around here as well. There were none the first 7 or 8 years after we built our home, but jackrabbits were plentiful. The coyotes came in and wiped out the jackrabbits. I was walking on one of my jobs last year and came upon some scat. The scat contained a tiny collar in it, probably from a cat.

This spring I witnessed how they do it. I have an invisible fence for my dogs that encloses them on two acres around the house. There were two coyotes in the pasture just outside the barrier. One of them would come in close and lure my big airedale to chase after him. The airedale (Rooster) would charge after him, but peel off at the barrier. The coyote circled around and came right back and did it again while the other one was waiting crouched in the fringe. Of course this all stopped as soon as I had time to get out my Henry .17 HMR. (Now it sits by the back door)

I tried for a couple years to fire warning shots, then dusting them with bird shot, then #4 shot, but they kept coming back. Now it's full scale war and take no prisoners. There are 4 fewer that there were last spring.
_________________________
Just because you don't take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.... Pericles (430 B.C)

Top
#123073 - 10/29/09 12:29 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: scottyb]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
And here I have to convince them to come close for a good shot.
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

Top
#123081 - 10/29/09 01:12 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
WOW, my heart goes out to the victims family. More rare than a lightening strike or shark attack.

It is hard to generalize about coyotes because they are so adaptable. The coyotes I have seen in the backcountry are very shy, but the ones around the City seem to be comfortable with humans. I really like the ones in our neighborhood because they control the goose population. However, they also have reduced the fox population. A person spoke at our City's Animal Control Commission and demanded that something be down to keep the coyotes from killing the foxes. crazy crazy

A couple of years ago I saw one at about 12,000 feet in January. What are they are eating at that altitude in January?

A terrible tragedy. I hope no one over reacts.
_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra

Top
#123082 - 10/29/09 01:13 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: phat]
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee
Actually i am not a "twitt" but I happen to think that having a knife would be better than trying to punch one in the nose. Any weapon, if you got into that situation, wold be better than nothing, which I think is what "she" had....Nothing and now she is dead DUH !!!!!!!sabre11004 lame
_________________________
The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

Top
#123084 - 10/29/09 01:17 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: scottyb]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Quote:

I tried for a couple years to fire warning shots...


Thanks for the info. It pretty much blows my paintball plan out, but I didn't have much faith in it in the first place to be honest. I might as well skip past deterrence.

My wife is ready to go shoot them herself as it stands. They've taken most all her outdoor cats and she's mad as can be.

I'm not a hunter, I haven't even shot a rifle in over 30 years, so I figured my next step would be to get a 410 shotgun and pepper their tail ends, but if that's not a real deterrent either than I'll just borrow a buddies rifle and get to business.

The pack that lives near us is getting bolder, that's for sure. And our dogs are no match for them. They're all either old, fat, crippled up, or stupid and they stay up late to howl like drunken sailors with the coyotes every darn night. I'm not convinced that they weren't chasing that one the other day in hopes to get some tail.

I supposed my best bet is probably to get up early and set out some bait where I can get a clean shot with a clear line of sight, then sit and wait.

One thing is for sure, I know they're going to keep picking off our critters if I don't do something.


_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



Top
#123095 - 10/29/09 03:04 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
First and foremost my heart goes out to the victim and her family.

I'm a city boy but I live on the edge of the city....big coyote country. I hear them at night all the time and I run or cycle through their habitat on the way to work. Usually at night. Just about every one I've ever seen turns tail and runs as soon as they notice me. The critters in this attack don't sound like "normal" coyotes.

I'm much more worried about the mountain lions. eek
_________________________
If you only travel on sunny days you will never reach your destination.*

* May not apply at certain latitudes in Canada and elsewhere.

Top
#123097 - 10/29/09 03:15 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Trailrunner]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
I suspect chumming to incite that type of behavior from coyote. The Department of Transportation uses an area in one of the local open spaces to dispose of road kill. I have seen aggressive coyotes in that area.
_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra

Top
#123132 - 10/29/09 10:55 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: ringtail]
Good Day! Offline
newbie

Registered: 09/19/09
Posts: 11
Loc: Bay Area
I lived on a government sheep research station in Idaho for a year as a child. They were researching, among other things, coyote predation on sheep flocks. They used great Pyrenees dogs to protect the sheep from yote attacks. For those with livestock and pets threatened by yotes you might look into these types of dogs.
At the station nobody seemed worried about people being attacked by the yotes. Maybe times are a changing.
They did trap live ones for research purposes. I had an uncle visit and he looked at the nice little coyotes in the dog pens. One came up to him so he stuck his finger in to let the "nice little yote" sniff it... yup, uncle got stitches.
Times might be the same...

Wild dogs, pet dogs, coyotes, cougars, even smaller animals will attack people at some points in time but lets not go crazy.
My condolences to the family. That pack of yotes should be hunted.

Top
#123139 - 10/30/09 12:17 AM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
I've spent a lot of time with coyotes but never was afraid of them. I do keep my dog away from them and I wouldn't hesitate to kill a coyote to protect my dog, but I like coyotes. Generally I do not have my dog camping with me, so I don't worry but rather I enjoy hearing them howl.
Jim
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

Top
#123158 - 10/30/09 09:44 AM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick]
Haiwee Offline
member

Registered: 08/21/03
Posts: 330
Loc: Southern California
When I was a child, our family was camping on the beach near San Felipe in Baja, and my Dad and I woke to find a coyote sniffing my sister's face (she was maybe eight at the time). My Dad chased it off, but he was visibly shaken by the episode. Other than that, I've never had a close encounter with one. I had never heard or read of a coyote attack on humans before.
_________________________
My blog on politics, the environment and the outdoors: Haiwee.blogspot.com

Top
#123167 - 10/30/09 12:40 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Jimshaw]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Quote:
I like coyotes


Me too, Jim. We've always had packs running the ridge and hollows where I live, and I have never heard of one being aggressive towards people. But this past year all my neighbors have lost pets to them.

It may have a lot to do with the Lake level being so high. The Army Corps has flooded the lake for most of the past two years and this has decreased the nearby surrounding habitat by around 1000 acres where squirrel, rabbits, quail, rats, and other small critters used to be plentiful.

At the same time we've had the Conservation Dept, the Forest Service, and the Corp close well over a hundred miles of off-road access trails to vehicles in our County and those that border it. This has certainly led to an increase in their population and forced many coyotes to head out into nearby areas. Everyone within a few miles of me lives on at least 5 or more acres surrounded by public land so it's easy for them to hide out on the fringes of our living space.



_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



Top
#123169 - 10/30/09 02:16 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: Rick]
GrumpyGord Online   content
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 945
Loc: Michigan
Another factor is that we have killed off all of the wolves which are natural predators of coyotes. Any time people fool around with the natural balance, things get screwed up. No predators = over population. Removing habitat = change of behavior or extinction.

Top
#123177 - 10/30/09 05:42 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: GrumpyGord]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
That's true and it's sad. But, after reading these accounts from early settlers in this area I'm not so sure I'd want packs of wolves running around here anymore.

Silas Turnbo Manuscripts

Most of these stories relate things that took place very near to where I live, some within walking distance.

_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



Top
#123180 - 10/30/09 06:07 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: billstephenson]
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee
I have been hiking since the early seventies and have seen many many animals. The one animal that I have never seen in the wild is a coyote. I have pretty close encounters with bears, cats, and a fox or two but never a coyote. I had an encounter with a cat in the early eighties that we thought that we were going to have a problem with but in the end, it worked out ok, but it was as close as I would want to come to a conflict with a wild animal...sabre11004... eek eek eek eek
_________________________
The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

Top
#123187 - 10/30/09 11:20 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: sabre11004]
wandering_daisy Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/06
Posts: 2865
Loc: California
I am afraid of domestic dogs! I have been attacked by domestic dogs while riding my bicycle. I am apprehensive when hiking alone and hear a pack of coyotes too. All it takes is one bite in the wrong place and any dog can kill you.

In the late 1970's my ex-husband and I hunted coyotes for the money. A good quality hide would bring $70 - $50 for the hide and $20 bounty. Coyotes were really killing lots of domestic sheep so at that time there was a good bounty on each. Ex had a job winter feeding elk on the big bend of the Green River. We would put bait out the bedroom window and pop off the coyotes early in the morning. Coyote money is what fed us that winter. (we also had two kids - age 1 and 3).

All wild animals are dangerous. I watched elk gore each other to death. The moose were very aggressive and would chase us while we were riding on the snowmobile.

I honestly think that a major problem is that no hunting is allowed in national parks. Animals shy away from people when they associate us with danger. Hunting establishes this connection. As for anti-hunters -- all I can say is that if you cannot look something in the eye and shoot it, gut it, clean it and cook it, you have no business eating meat at all. Honestly, when habitat is reduced by human population, hunting is really needed. I saw so many antelope starve to death in the winter. Hunting to keep the population down makes a lot of sense.

Top
#123189 - 10/30/09 11:53 PM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: wandering_daisy]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted By wandering_daisy

In the late 1970's my ex-husband and I hunted coyotes for the money. A good quality hide would bring $70 - $50 for the hide and $20 bounty. Coyotes were really killing lots of domestic sheep so at that time there was a good bounty on each. Ex had a job winter feeding elk on the big bend of the Green River. We would put bait out the bedroom window and pop off the coyotes early in the morning. Coyote money is what fed us that winter. (we also had two kids - age 1 and 3).


I bought a new rifle with coyote pelts in high school (early 80's) when I could get $135 a pelt for them in january and february..

Quote:

I honestly think that a major problem is that no hunting is allowed in national parks. Animals shy away from people when they associate us with danger. Hunting establishes this connection.


I agree completely there, especially with the big cats and wolves/coyotes.

Quote:

As for anti-hunters -- all I can say is that if you cannot look something in the eye




Quote:
and shoot it




Quote:
gut it




Quote:
clean it




Quote:
and cook it




Quote:
you have no business eating meat at all


No problems here.. backstrap's mighty tasty out of them little ones. wink


_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#123193 - 10/31/09 12:51 AM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: sabre11004]
oldranger Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
I have seen coyotes, as well as bobcats, within our city limits several times. Routinely hear them howling in the surrounding hills.

Top
#123200 - 10/31/09 11:20 AM Re: Coyote Attack [Re: wandering_daisy]
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee
That's funny that you say that because I do not eat meat...at all.. I think nature has a way of taking care of it's environment and it's animals. When you think about it when we are in the back country we are in "their" territory. We have basically ran them out of their own habitat so they have every right to be there and to do what they see fit to have an established territory, which again, we are slowly stealing from them. Hell, no wonder they are pissed off and get at us every chance they get. You can't really blame them. I do carry a weapon to protect myself and it would always be a last resort to shoot one of them. I also always carry a couple of packs of firecrackers in my pocket when I am on the trail and that has always worked to scare off any animal, and I have had to use them on several occasions...sabre11004... thanks
_________________________
The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

Top
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 209 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum