We’re surrounded by acres and acres of woods. It’s nice, but I always look out the window before opening the front door and when I have to take my 14 year old Ridgeback outside at night, I turn on the lights, speak with a raised voice to her and clap my hands five+ times, as loud as I can.
Three years ago I saw a huge wolf-coyote hybrid about 200 feet from the house where the pasture starts. He was just leaving the pasture, crossing the grassy lane and going for the tree line when I saw him while looking out the kitchen window. He was as big as my Doberman, but fluffy fur. He was quite impressive and I was very surprised to see him. Never saw anything like that before. Anyway, I took my gun out with me for a few nights when checking on the horses in the barn. I saw my first gray wolf a year later a few miles from here. I pulled over and howled at him after he’d crossed the road I was driving on, he turned and looked so I guess I did a good job! LOL