Brash coyotes, fearful families

Philly Inquirer ^ | Jun. 04, 2007 | Edward Colimore

[george76]

Five-year-old Brayden Gazette was crossing a neighbor's lawn near his Monmouth County home last month when a coyote burst out of the pine woods and bit him on the head.

Twenty-month-old Liam Sadler was in a relative's backyard in April when a coyote grabbed him by the neck and tried to drag him off.

The rare daylight coyote attacks on humans were interrupted before the yellow-eyed beasts could kill. Nevertheless, brazen coyotes have rattled residents across North Jersey's Monmouth and Bergen Counties, where scores of sightings have been reported and where numerous pets have been killed or mauled this spring.

In a state known as America's most densely populated, the eerie nighttime yip-howls and almost daily reports of sightings and attacks signal fresh strife in New Jersey's struggle with its wildlife.

Last year, authorities killed several bears that were marauding in urban areas. Persistent but unconfirmed reports of cougars and panthers continue to plague South Jersey residents.

"There is considerable community concern about coyotes," ... "We have 3,000 of them in all 21 counties of the state.

"The problem now may be a bold pack of coyotes that are ...seeing children as a possible source of food. We don't know."

Middletown Township Administrator Robert Czech said the township had begun to feel like it's "the Colorado of the East." ...

Capturing or killing them is the goal, Czech said. "This group of coyotes has decided it's going to go after young children because of their size.

"If they can't be contained, then I hope they terminate them."

Also, the number of bear-human encounters has risen steeply.

[trisham]

A coyote looks like a German shepherd. They tend to be sighted at the edge of cover at early morning or dusk. They are grey and look scrawny.

*************

Yes, except for the "scrawny" part. There's a woman in the neighborhood who drops off sides of beef for our coyotes.

[oneamericanvoice]

I am NOT insane. I would NOT be pleased if the situation that you desrcibed occured anywhere, even in your backyard. You, however, are, rude and reactionary that has probably never lived in the country for any length of time. Coyotes do a great service of keeping the other wild animal population in check. You DO NOT eradicate them. You learn to live around them. If you relocate them to a non-populated area, what is the problem.

[oneamericanvoice]

Since you probably didn’t see my other (numerous) responses. I lived in the country in Arizona for over 20 years before coming to Los Angeles. I know how to live with the wild critters, and will deal with the ones that are dangerous. Of course, the coyote would like one of the ferals. He was attracted to the food I put out. I feel sorry for all those people who don’t watch out for their pets. It is apalling how many people are on the kill, kill, kill the coyotes rant. If there weren’t coyotes, there would be too many squirrels, rodents, etc. In a pack they may get a deer, but not solitarily.

[oneamericanvoice]

When the American Hunter starts hunting the rodents, squirrels, rabbits, ect in the burbs, you can deal with the out cry by those that don’t want the balance dealt with naturally.

[oneamericanvoice]

Yep, which means keep Fluffy and Susie indoors.

[oneamericanvoice]

Yep, which means keep Fluffy and Susie indoors.

[oneamericanvoice]

Well at least you are consistent, since you’ve managed to stoop to names and insults rather than discuss the issue. I guess I’m stupid or unevolved because I tolerate your viewpoint.

[HairOfTheDog]

Since you probably didn’t see my other (numerous) responses. I lived in the country in Arizona for over 20 years before coming to Los Angeles. I know how to live with the wild critters, and will deal with the ones that are dangerous. Of course, the coyote would like one of the ferals. He was attracted to the food I put out. I feel sorry for all those people who don’t watch out for their pets. It is apalling how many people are on the kill, kill, kill the coyotes rant. If there weren’t coyotes, there would be too many squirrels, rodents, etc. In a pack they may get a deer, but not solitarily.

I agree with your balanced approach. Here, the primary diet of coyotes are rabbits and rodents.

It's my responsibility to put up a good fence for my dogs... and keep my cats in at night.

[Hacksaw]

I’m all for Coyotes in PA. I’ve hit 2 deer in the past month (the second one actually ran across the highway into my car). Hopefully the coyotes will thin out the deer herd, the deer being the stupidest animal that God put on this earth.

[BBell]

“The mexican coyote is worse.”

Yeah they are. And they always charge so much.

[twntaipan]

Of course you aren’t insane. That was uncalled for. I apologize.

I live in a semi-rural area. One that until very recently was quite rural, but is being encroached upon by new housing developments. There is still rural area not so far away.

New Jersey, however, is highly populated. Where could they be relocated to?

What has happened is that as the hunting population in the US has declined, all manner of wild game has returned with a vengence. This brings back the preditors.

[Kay Ludlow]

When the American Hunter starts hunting the rodents, squirrels, rabbits, ect in the burbs, you can deal with the out cry by those that don’t want the balance dealt with naturally.

Actually, all the older hunters I know learned their skill and accuracy hunting "varmints" like squirrel, rat, rabbit. When our culture and our schools started teaching children that hunting was 'tearing apart animal families', and that you shouldn't kill any animal unless you also planned to eat it, children whose parents didn't know how to counteract that message didn't teach their children to hunt varmints. Add that to the message that we should feel horror and fear when we see someone with a rifle or hear gunshots in the distance, and you'll see how the very people who today say we need wolves and coyotes to maintain balance in the environment are the same ones who said we were disrupting the circle of life by hunting needlessly...

[oneamericanvoice]

Apology accepted.
The wild life adapts to the encroachment. People in Los Angeles have generally adapted to the presence of the wild life. There are signs in the Hollywood Hills (where alot of “stars” live, that say, “beware of mountain lions”. I’ve seen deer along the major freeway (405).

You ask where the coyotes could be relocated. Not all of New Jersey is highly populated. The one that we saw was a young one that they could truck to areas not far from here that are more sparse.

You are correct with regard to the the decline of a hunting population being tied to the rise of game, however, it is not the only reason. For instance, if the rabbits reproduce more, the predators such as coyotes don’t always survive to hunting age, or reproduce in greater numbers to begin with.

There was a lady walking two small dogs this morning that I warned of the coyote. She was visting from a nearby area that is more semi-rural. She deals with coyotes by erecting a wrought iron fence that is sunk deeply so as to make it hard to dig under, with the posts only 3” apart so the dogs can’t get out. She also put “snake wire” to a height that the dogs can’t get out or coyotes in.

I recommend the rolling device that is installed on the top of the fence. The dogs can’t get out, and the predators can’t get in.

[oneamericanvoice]

“....you’ll see how the very people who today say we need wolves and coyotes to maintain balance in the environment are the same ones who said we were disrupting the circle of life by hunting needlessly...”

I have not vilified hunting. Hunting is necessary. But it is true that you must have predators to deal with the prey. That is the natural way of things. Humans should not be the only hunters. At least that’s the way I see since I think God knew what he was doing when he set the whole system up.

[oneamericanvoice]

Thank God! Someone who understands my point! And you even take responibility for your pets! WOW! Where can I send the Christmas card!

[oneamericanvoice]

These “reports” only make it seem like there are numerous instances of interbreeding, banding, and attacks on humans. If the so-called reports were honest they would point out the attacks on humans are very rare, and interbreeding and integrating into a pack isn’t as wide spread as they make out. They want you to live in fear.

[HairOfTheDog]

I see coyotes and other wildlife as a feature of living in the country (and I'm rather suburban, really).

They aren't a mistake, it's not some kind of mismanagement that they exist, they belong here. That's not a liberal idea, it's the truth. Now, I have the right to control them if they were bothering me, but I don't. I thought about it a few years ago when I had a pack I thought was getting fairly brazen... but some other force, human or otherwise, did that for me. They have disappeared for now.

They don't bother my dogs or horses, in fact, I think when hunting is slim they get by eating horse droppings. I choose not to have chickens and other small bait, I don't want to have to stand guard over them at night. It's just not the way I want to live. I rather enjoy hearing them at night, though I do spotlight them at night if they are too close... It keeps them wary.

I took these of the brazen ones of a couple years back.

[free_for_now]

Yeah, but with what? You can carry pepper spray or a knife with a blade less than 5”, but the beast in question seized our dog and ran away with it, and since I had no knowledge that it existed, I was carrying neither. As for guns, the Brady Campaign gives NJ an A-, that tells you something. Gun carry permits are very, very difficult to get unless you are a former police officer. and defending yourself with deadly force is illegal even on your own property unless you are cornered.

It’s a great state if you want to be a victim (or a criminal).

[oneamericanvoice]

We are in agreement. Enjoy the country. Wish I were there.

[oneamericanvoice]

Since she drops off sides of beef for the coyotes, then they probably won’t go for the dogs and cats. Hope she never stops.