A question about coyote behavior

Ravenlost · #21 01/13/08, 04:42 PM

So, MTplainsman, from your information, should I assume that when my dogs yip and howl back they are letting the coyotes know this is their (my dogs) property and to stay away? Right now our outdoor pack is up to 12 (two more to join in when they are older). The three new ones are Husky mixes and they can yip and yowl just like those coyotes! What a ruckus all these dogs raise when they hear coyotes!

To me it sounds like we've got two coyote packs...one northwest of us near the creek (and closest to the house) and one to the south of us probably up across the road. There's 280 vacant acres there...five times that much vacant acreage back of the creek.

Last year a coyote came almost up to the house and two of our dogs killed it.

I used to have a coyote/chow mix. That was a pretty dog, but he would nip people if startled (not that I blamed him, but he bit two kids). I had to give him to my brother as I was running a home daycare and couldn't keep a biting dog.

Remembered something else. Several years back there was an overpopulation of coyotes in the forest (Bankhead National Forest) where I lived. My BIL and his nephew were hunting and had a couple coyotes run them up a tree! That same Fall I had a new puppy and two coyotes came right up to my back door and tried to get the puppy. It woke me up and they ran off when I turned on the porch light, threw open the door and screamed at them.

Daddy said they'd have killed and eaten the puppy so he built Toby a dog house with a secure fence around it for sleeping at night.

MTplainsman · #22 01/13/08, 05:52 PM

So, MTplainsman, from your information, should I assume that when my dogs yip and howl back they are letting the coyotes know this is their (my dogs) property and to stay away? Right now our outdoor pack is up to 12 (two more to join in when they are older). The three new ones are Husky mixes and they can yip and yowl just like those coyotes! What a ruckus all these dogs raise when they hear coyotes!

You got it! Most folks think thier dogs are just bored, or just having fun answering the coyotes back. In reality, your pet dogs still have a certian amount of wild instinct instilled in them, even the little lap dogs. Domestic dogs don't just howl back to say hello, they are reporting to the wild dogs (coyotes) that the territory over here is occupied by them and thier master (human owner) ...stay away, this void is filled. Domestic dogs will not make certian calls like thier wild cousins though. For instance, they will not belt out a feeding call. Domestic dogs have for the most part breed out of the pack scheme and into an independence type. To make such a call, would invite other domestic dogs, as well as coyotes and such. Domestic dogs want the good pickins soley for themselves.

BTW, Husky strains are a very close relation to wolves and coyotes, as far as domestic are concerned. It's no wonder that they answer even the slightest call of the wild.

**ladycat** · #23 01/13/08, 05:56 PM

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Fla Gal · #24 01/13/08, 06:19 PM

Ladycat, that is funny! I missed it.

It reminds me of when someone posted that their bread machine took a dive. The banner ad was for 50% off all bread machines.

Thanks to all of you for the replies and information.

empofuniv · #25 01/13/08, 11:53 PM

We've had 20 acres in the Anza Borrego Desert in So CA where we have a weekend/vacation place for about 10 yrs now. They've never been agressive and we've never had to run them off until this year. We've had terrible drought out there for 4yrs or so and we've had a pack/s of 5 or 6 that seem to cross our place on their daily hunts. Of course we don't have any livestock to protect, but do wish they'd take a few more jackrabbits than they are taking because the jacks are burrowing up our roads.

We see the coyotes in early morning and in afternoon going opposite direction.

We keep an eagle eye on our little dog-ette and I never walk him without a stout walking stick.

We spend about 3 wks out there around Christmas time and I guess the yearling pups are learning to hunt. The alpha male is a very pretty animal and he just marches along on his mission without paying any attention to us. One of the mornings I saw 5 of them heading south about 20 feet to the east of us. The chihuahua was going crazy snarling on the deck and the last coyote of the pack stopped, stared and started towards the deck. I let him take a couple of steps before I stamped my feet and hollered at him. He immediately turned and ran to join the pack.

Very early the next morning I was walking the dog-ette and was saying bad things about those jackrabbits when I happened to turn and saw a coyote watching us from about 12 feet away - from the other side of the fence. I waved my stick and it still just stood there. I scooped up the dog-ette and went back to the trailer with the coyote pacing me the entire way, but not coming any closer.

I put the dog-ette in the trailer and got out the shotgun. The coyote had come under the fence and was just standing there watching. I can't say that it was the same one from the day before, but I think it might have been. The pack wasn't around, just this lone coyote. It kept watching me and as I walked toward it, it would veer off a few feet and stop and watch. I'd advance, it'd veer off, stop and watch. It finally just turned and walked off.
I've never had one of them do that before. They will usually just turn and go about their business.

I don't know if it was just curious, or if it has plans on the little dog-ette. We are only out there about once a month or so. Even though we pay the taxes, for all intents and purposes it is their range.

Fla Gal · #26 01/14/08, 01:12 AM

The buggers started their sing song session again just a few minutes ago. It sounds like there are twice as many as there were last night.

If I went for a walk through the woods do you think I could find out where they're holing up? I doubt I'll see any of them but it would give me a better idea of what's going on in the woods.

According to my employer, the coyotes run when they see a human. There are two neighbor dogs that patrol this property often during the day. One is a male. The male, I'm sure, marks the territory on the boundary of the tree line on their rounds. I guess this helps keep the coyotes at a bit of a distance.

Something I wonder is if a male dog is neutered would him marking the territory be as effective as an unneutered male marking the territory? Would a female dog be as effective as a male for marking territory?

Terrabus · #27 01/14/08, 03:20 AM

Around here, cats are the preferred meal for coyotes. They love cats more than anything and most trappers use them for bait.

KS wife · #28 01/14/08, 08:55 AM

They munch on cats here too. I am currently catless because of them.

Bonnie L · #29 01/14/08, 12:17 PM

I know we have coyotes, we hear them often & see them occasionally, but haven't lost a single animal to them - not even a cat. The worst predators around here were the neighbor's dog, raccoons, & a bear.

Speaking of coyotes - how do you pronounce the word? I've always said it with a long "ee" ending "ky-ote-ee", most people around here leave that off & say "ky-ote". The dictionary, I just found out, has the latter. Maybe I should change?

**ladycat** · #30 01/14/08, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnie L

most people around here leave that off & say "ky-ote".

That's how I've always said it because it's the way I've always heard it. The only time I've heard it with the long e on the end is in movies.

Bonnie L · #31 01/14/08, 12:44 PM

Hmmm - maybe I learned it from tv westerns. I grew up watching a ton of them!

fixer1958 · #32 01/14/08, 07:33 PM

Good info. It all makes sense now as to why my dogs act as they do.

There was a female coyote that came into the yard once in daylight and just lay down.
She would get closer and just lay down.
There were others in the treeline watching the whole time.
I only had one dog at the time and assumed she was trying to lure him out there.
He didn't go.

I blew off a couple of 12ga. rounds and they all took off and it hasn't happened again.

MTplainsman · #33 01/14/08, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrabus

Around here, cats are the preferred meal for coyotes. They love cats more than anything and most trappers use them for bait.

You got some odd coyotes and even stranger trappers! LOL! Owls pick off far more farm cats than a coyote would anyday. Foxes take some cats, but coyotes who get blamed for most farmstead kills, don't snatch as many critters as one thinks. You notice your cats dissapearing in short order, shine your light around at night and look for the cats #1 preadator... the owl! I've also never heard of modern trappers use cats for bait. I'm sure some have tryed it, but it sure isn't the standard amongst trappers. There are far better baits out there than old barn cat. In most states it isn't even legal.

I know...sometimes I'm a mean butthead, so sorry in advance...please don't hurt me...

**fordson major** · #34 01/14/08, 08:16 PM

coyotes must differ, here they like dogs and cats as a first course as well. they are not detered even though we have a whole herd of dog smells and sounds here. there has been some talk that we have a hybrid running here, part dog part coyote but the coyote that my wife got the other night was not a cross, pure brush wolf! as a rule they leave people alone, would not try and pet them though! and carry a big stick when ever you go out! part of our problem is the increased acreage of corn, gives lots of cover were before we could tag them in the hayfields of neighboring dairies.

gina kay · #35 01/14/08, 08:37 PM

Every evening as it's getting dark I start hearing the yipping then howling about 1/4 mile behind us on the other side of the woods. The property owner there has cattle but he doesn't live on site (has a manager that comes out daily) so there are at least 3 jack asses that protect the cattle. Our 14 dogs start barking then howling when they hear the yipping. So far haven't seen a coyote on our property and all twenty something outdoor cats are fine alng with all the other critters. I let at least 4 dogs run loose (others are in a pen) and can even leave the chicken coop doors cracked open(so they can start free ranging at daybreak). Last weekend one of the Heelers barked incessantly at 5am, dh went out and found a possum playing dead in the doorway, so he shot it. The dog stood guard til it was shot. I have dogs sleeping in the coops along with cats.

mwhit · #36 01/14/08, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gina kay

Every evening as it's getting dark I start hearing the yipping then howling about 1/4 mile behind us on the other side of the woods. The property owner there has cattle but he doesn't live on site (has a manager that comes out daily) so there are at least 3 jack asses that protect the cattle. Our 14 dogs start barking then howling when they hear the yipping. So far haven't seen a coyote on our property and all twenty something outdoor cats are fine alng with all the other critters. I let at least 4 dogs run loose (others are in a pen) and can even leave the chicken coop doors cracked open(so they can start free ranging at daybreak). Last weekend one of the Heelers barked incessantly at 5am, dh went out and found a possum playing dead in the doorway, so he shot it. The dog stood guard til it was shot. I have dogs sleeping in the coops along with cats.

My dog snaps their necks

When my dogs hear coyotes they take off and chase them. You can hear the coyotes getting farther and farther away. They're good dogs. The farmer that borders me out back has lost a few calves and a beagle to coyotes, but so far (knocking on wood) I have not lost any critters except maybe a cat or two. Ford Major is correct-- our coyotes love to eat cats. It's common to find kitty fur in their scat so it's pretty obvious they ate them.

Michelle

copperpennykids · #37 01/14/08, 10:17 PM

If you don't like the coyotes, or are worried about your critters, then get a Pyrenees.

True Story...We sold a 2 year old experienced/trained Great Pyrenees to an alapca farm that had been bothered by coyotes and ravaged by stray dogs/coyotes digging under their fences and killing their young alpacas (cria). Several weeks after bringing Ketchikan home, the coyotes were really yapping it up. Their Golden Retriever/Pyrenees cross was barking and barking. They were uncertain about what Ketchikan would do, so stepped to the screen door to look.
Ketchikan finally stood up and let out a long low howl. The coyotes quit yapping and they didn't hear another peep that night.
suffice to say, they are very happy with Ketchikan.

No more dog attack incidents...all of the critters, wild or otherwise give their property a wide berth.

I know I sleep a lot better with my Pyrenees on duty.

Camille

MTplainsman · #38 01/14/08, 11:02 PM

For the record I apologize for sounding like a know-it-all jerk... I just hate it when the coyote always takes the wrap for livestock and farm killings... guess it's a sore spot with me. I guess it may seem ironic that I am a strong defender of the coyote since I made my living from them. Coyotes do eat what is available and plentiful in different areas for sure... but I hear all the time from customers, about how the coyotes are eating all there cats! When I show up at thier farmsteads or ranches to take care of the problem, I will tell you all that the assumed coyote was usually NOT the murderer. Though coyotes eat cats most certianly, Owls are still the #1 cat killer of most homesteads. Anyways, sorry if I acted cranky on this subject. Joel

P.S. From my past experience out here and everywhere...Everyone loves to hate mr. coyote

I'm over my fit now, please everyone proceed...

**ladycat** · #39 01/14/08, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwhit

My dog snaps their necks

I have a dog that does that. He has just about killed off all the possums within range of us. He HATES possums!