Coyote Behavior Question

Randy Rooster · #1 10/04/12, 07:47 AM

About a week a go I had an older rooster of mine that I let wander loose go missing - I figured something got him. This morning as I was carrying my coffee to the puter station I happened to look out the window and there was a coyote standing in my front yard about 30 feet from the house having a stare off with one of my cats - I immediately grabbed the .22 I keepby the door and went out - coyote of course ran and I got about 6 shots off at him - but with my adrenaline kicked in and all I flat out missed him as far as I can tell. My question is - scared as he was do you think he will be back and or how soon?

WJMartin · #2 10/04/12, 08:32 AM

I would say it depends on how hungry he or she is.

SFM in KY · #3 10/04/12, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Rooster

My question is - scared as he was do you think he will be back and or how soon?

Likely to be back but more likely to come at night. And even if you did hit him with a .22 at that distance it's unlikely that you would have done any real damage.

Fowler · #4 10/04/12, 08:59 AM

Yes they always come back

Big Dave · #5 10/04/12, 10:04 AM

Your 22 will kill it. If you want to get THEM you can call them up and take them out one at a time. Listen at sundown or right after dark to hear how many there are around you.

ninny · #6 10/04/12, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFM in KY

Likely to be back but more likely to come at night. And even if you did hit him with a .22 at that distance it's unlikely that you would have done any real damage.

You need to go to "The Great Outdoors" forum and take a look at my thread "lethality of the .22LR" That may change your mind about what a .22 can do.

.

KrisD · #7 10/04/12, 10:43 AM

Coyotes are extremely smart and every time we have a missed opportunity to kill them they learn from it. So unfortunately if you missed they will come back just when your not around. I have similar issues and yes they always come back until you kill or maime one. Call them in or lure them then kill them.

ninny · #8 10/04/12, 10:50 AM

Tether a chicken in a spot where you have a good clean shot. The cackling of the chicken should draw the coyote in and you can take care of business.

.

MO_cows · #9 10/04/12, 10:56 AM

Coyotes are very adaptable and their behaviors vary widely. What holds true with our local coyote population would not hold true somewhere else.

So most likely the coyote got your rooster, now sees your place as a source for a meal. It came back and was eyeing the cat for dinner but you broke up the party. I think the coyote will be back but more cautious. Make sure it can't find a meal again. You take a risk by simply shooting every coyote you can, because more will just move in to the territory and those might have even worse habits than your resident population.

RJMAcres · #10 10/04/12, 11:44 AM

A .22lr will do the job nicely out to about 50-75 yards.
Shot placement is the key and use good hollow point bullets.
Next time, just open the door or a window far enough to get the rifle out and aimed right and shoot
from there rather then going outside and spooking it.
Yes, it will be back. it's found a place for easy meals.

flewism · #11 10/04/12, 12:51 PM

We've have coyotes problems every couple of years. I seems like when a new pack forms up they attempt to add our small livestock to their hunting territory. Our two stout dogs do a fine job of teaching them they do not belong here. A 12 gauge with buckshot is my weapon of choice. Kill a couple and they will figure it out.

tinknal · #12 10/04/12, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO_cows

Coyotes are very adaptable and their behaviors vary widely. What holds true with our local coyote population would not hold true somewhere else.

Very true. The only standard coyote behavior is that there is no standard coyote behavior. Around here there are plenty of coyotes but they are very wary and seldom seen.

julieq · #13 10/04/12, 08:29 PM

We've had a coyote through our back pasture yesterday and the day before, mid day. DH, injured, with his finger in a heavy wrap, took a shot each time and they ran off.

So, as they are coming so close to our little goat herd and it's legal here in Idaho, we're going to bait them. Don't really give a carp what standard coyote behavior is, if they are coming through in broad daylight, we're going to shoot at them and hopefully take them out.

RJMAcres · #14 10/04/12, 09:29 PM

Sure wish some of you folks with coyote problems were closer.
I enjoy hunting coyotes.

Right now I'm dealing with a mountain lion problem. Killed 1 of our goats in broad daylight and
within 100 yards of the house. I just can't get eyes on it.

julieq · #15 10/05/12, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJMAcres

Sure wish some of you folks with coyote problems were closer.
I enjoy hunting coyotes.

Right now I'm dealing with a mountain lion problem. Killed 1 of our goats in broad daylight and
within 100 yards of the house. I just can't get eyes on it.

So sorry for your loss!

We hear a huge pack of coyotes go through at night frequently. They go down the side of our property from the big open grazing land out back and then across the road and down a couple miles to the kill pit at the local cow dairy. Then early in the morning, before dawn, they head back through the same route. And of course it wakes us up as our dogs bark at them each time.

But the ones coming through in broad daylight, who don't seem to be bothered by us or our two large dogs, worry us most. We were gone yesterday to town on errands, but we'll be watching for them today while we're out cleaning goat pens.

Randy Rooster · #16 10/05/12, 09:35 AM

I appreciate everyones advice and any more anyone wants to give

- in addition to my .22 ( yes loaded up with 14 rounds of hollow points) I keep a 12 gauge loaded with buckshot by the door now - unless hes out of shotgun range and standing still its going to be the shotgun I grab if I see it again - thinking about putting a scope on the .22 as my eyes arent what they used to be. Ive got other weapons available but dont feel compfortable letting rip with them as close to neighbors as I am. Im pretty sure I can hit a moving target with the shotgun - though its been a while since Ive hunted rabbits and doves and such.

simi-steading · #17 10/05/12, 09:55 AM

If you don't feel comfortable using a larger caliber rifle because of neighbors, then I wouldn't be using a 22 either. In ways, that 22 could be worse. Those slugs like to bounce around, especially if they are copper jacketed. More people are killed with a 22 than any other caliber in the US..

You might consider a at least 000 shot buck, or a slug in the 12 gauge.

Myself, I'd be relying on my 45 if I was within about 25, 30 yards or so.. .

65284 · #18 10/05/12, 10:23 AM

simi-steading, the "give blood-own a Macaw" bit is hilarious. Only someone who has been really nabbed by one can truly appreciate what you mean. We used to have several but are down to 2, a B&G and a Scarlet that can be a little nippy at times.

JPiantedosi · #19 10/05/12, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

If you don't feel comfortable using a larger caliber rifle because of neighbors, then I wouldn't be using a 22 either. In ways, that 22 could be worse. Those slugs like to bounce around, especially if they are copper jacketed. More people are killed with a 22 than any other caliber in the US..

You might consider a at least 000 shot buck, or a slug in the 12 gauge.

Myself, I'd be relying on my 45 if I was within about 25, 30 yards or so.. .

We used to kill about 100 yotes a year over hounds and I can tell you that with a full choke #4 buckshot or 00buck is near perfect for yotes to 50yds, and with 3in shells 75yds.

Jim

simi-steading · #20 10/05/12, 10:41 AM

<hijack> I have a rescue B&G. He wouldn't hardly let me near his cage when I got him. He's gotten a lot better, but every blue moon he'll lay into me.. Now it's mostly a sudden grab to test me and see if'm I'm afraid of him. I'm not, but I sure have given my share of blood earning his trust. I can handle him most any way I want now, including flipping him over on his back. He isn't fond of it, but he deals with it pretty good. </hijack>