Posted on 01/27/2015 5:34:21 AM PST by SJackson
HOLLY, MI – In his years as a wildlife technician for the state Department of Natural Resources, Jon Curtis said he can count on zero fingers the numbers of times coyotes have taken down a large animal.
"To actually take a full-0grown horse down is very uncommon," he said of a Jan. 25 attack in Oxford Township along the Lapeer-Oakland County border that led to the death of a 20-year-old horse that was part of the Lapeer County Sheriff's Mounted Division. "I've never heard of that before."
The Lapeer County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Monday that "A group of five to six coyotes entered the paddock area and attacked the horse while it was eating. The horse was brought to the ground during the attack."
"The Meyers heard the attack occurring and their dogs responded (lab mixed)," states the release on the incident of the property of deputies Bruce Meyers and Kallie Meyers. "The dogs engaged the coyotes, which subsequently stopped attacking the horse and fled. The horse died later from the wounds that it sustained."
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office and Department of Natural Resources are now handling the investigation into the incident.
Curtis said coyotes are found in every county in the state, typically in pairs -- one alpha male and one alpha female -- covering a designated territory that varies in size based on food supply that is generally made up of smaller game.
"They primarily eat mice or maybe an occasional rabbit," he said, while from time to time attacking a small dog, cat or scavenging on larger, dead animals such as deer. "It's very unusual they would take down an animal that big."
Coyotes can be hunted or trapped at any time of year on private property, Curtis said, "If they are doing damage or about to do damage."
Someone other than the property owner may receive permission to hunt or trap the animals on private property without a license or written permit, according to DNR regulations.
Outside of pursuing nuisance coyotes, trapping of coyotes is allowed from Oct. 15-March 1, while hunting season is from July 15-April 15.
Curtis said a valid base license for hunting or trapping coyotes runs $11. There is no limit on the number of coyotes that can be shot or trapped during the designated hunting and trapping periods.
Despite the recent incident, Curtis said, "Coyotes are really misunderstood. They are usually a really timid animal or docile animal," and attacks on humans are rare.
In the event someone does have a coyote cross their path, Curtis said, "If you make a lot of noise and wave your arms, they are going to run. Usually when they see humans, they'll book it."
While he understood some people may get a bit panicky about the recent attack, he added, "They really have nothing to fear about being attacked."
“I think it’ll be fun; I’ll start bugging Mr. Wonderful to get me one. :)”
I expected to get most the photos I did at night of skunk, coons, coyotes, bears, and lions. What I didn’t expect was the two legged critters I was catching with the cameras. Some were just passing thru, but others were pulling fish out of our ponds without permission.
The DNR says that we have no wolves down here.
On a lighter note, on the morning before deer season I shot a
coyote in my pajamas. (why he was wearing my pajamas - I don't know. Thank you Groucho Marx)
Yikes! I have a prison farm not too far from me - Medium Security. Only a FEW walk-aways in 25 years, but still - I could be making some serious Citizens Arrests in the near future!
Um...NOT! :)
We have tons of coyotes in the Carolinas. They are bigger and bushier than the coyotes I knew in New Mexico. They are all over the place. They are very adaptable. They eat roadkill and will easily take a young deer. Some claim they often eat the fawn as it is being born and then eat the placenta. They usually hunt alone for small critters but will join together in a pack for larger game. I love them, but I will shoot them.
Saw what must have been a dead coyote along the highway last night.
“Curtis said, “Coyotes are really misunderstood. They are usually a really timid animal or docile animal,” and attacks on humans are rare.”
Well you and I know that’s not true. We have them in our neighborhood and they have very little fear. They will sit in the bushes and just look at you. I had one follow me home one night from walking the dog. We had one try to make a run at our Chihuahua while we were walking her. They are crossing with dogs and getting larger and less fearful. IMO coyotes have no redeeming value. If we get the chance we kill them.
Coyotes only have fear of humans when humans hunt them regularly in an area. Coyotes used to being shot at will indeed run at the slightest motion on the part of a human. In areas where they are seldom or never hunted they have no fear of humans and will stop and glare at you. It actually takes a lot of effort to chase away a coyote that has no fear of humans.
While they might pursue mice and smaller game singly, they go after larger game as a cooperative effort, much like the horse in the article. Any herd animal caught separated, injured, or ill is a target. That includes livestock.
The one I shot weighed about 45 pounds. Good ole 30.06 takes care of them every time.
I've seen solos run deer year around.
I am more worried about feral hogs and bear on the ranch though.
(Hogs do alot of damage)
Had a bear pop up over a ridge on me once- scary.
They are all over up here. They can accelerate from a stopped position to full speed, when spooked, so quickly it is almost hard to believe. Electronic callers and motion decoys work fine to bring ‘em in.
Only needs to be one if it's you.
Did you take that picture?.......A year ago I saw one exactly like that on the south side of my subdivision in Macomb
I know a farmer out in N.W. Kansas who hunts them with greyhounds......
Beautiful animal! Nasty critter, I know, but a beautiful animal.
Did I tell you about the coyote that tried to hitchike with me a few weeks ago?
It was during that last cold snap. I was driving home, and saw a coyote sitting by the side of the road, just watching the cars go by. As I approached, it suddenly ran at an angle that would have put it right into the side of the van as I passed. I stopped to let it pass in front of me, and it stopped and glared at me like I’d messed up his timing! So I started moving again, and the same thing happened. I acted like it was truly aiming for the door on the side of the van! Eventually I got past it, and the poor thing followed me for about 100 yards before it gave up!
If it had been a dog, I would have let it in so I could look for the owner the next day. But this was a freaking coyote!
we use a 20 gauge slug gun with rifled slugs.
Excellent tool for two-legged predators, also.
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