Replies

"It is unusual. This is first attack on a man I recall. I’ve camped plenty in coyote country and never been bothered by them."

There were many days over the past year, especially during summer, that one coyote or another would pace back and forth about 200-300 yards away, staring in the direction of me, my dog or the livestock. Haven't seen that before. Every year previous, they moved on instead of hanging around and stayed out of sight during the day, and nothing else has changed on this place.

In a previous comment here, I also mentioned a change in mountain lion behavior. They're more often seen during the day, and we're seeing tracks and sign in unusual places.

Maybe it has to do with the recent drought (only about a year, though). Or maybe it has to do with the apparent decreases in numbers of elk (drought, increases in poaching, unusual spikes in cold temperatures last winter, predation,...?).

That makes sense to me. The time of year may factor in too. This is a season when some animals go into more populated areas foraging for food.

Last month had a bobcat come in my backyard around lunchtime, bright as day. My son, who is prone to over exagerate looks outside and yells OMG!!!

I look out thinking at best a turtle crawled out from the pond and lay on the grass.

No, it’s a full grown bobcat on top of a hen that just had her hatchlings. Pissed me off to no end.

I really believe wildlife is getting more bold and it is not always due to the excuse they are running out of land.