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Deadly coyote attack on horse: DNR wildlife technician offers safety advice, hunting regulations
MLive ^ | 1-26-15 | Roberto Acosta

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."


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To: Diana in Wisconsin

“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.


41 posted on 01/27/2015 8:09:14 AM PST by Carthego delenda est
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To: SJackson
Don't have to worry about coyotes and wolves breeding here in central Michigan.

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)

42 posted on 01/27/2015 8:19:48 AM PST by themidnightskulker
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To: Carthego delenda est

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! :)


43 posted on 01/27/2015 8:39:20 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: themidnightskulker

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.


44 posted on 01/27/2015 8:46:59 AM PST by olepap (Your old Pappy)
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To: cripplecreek

Saw what must have been a dead coyote along the highway last night.


45 posted on 01/27/2015 9:17:43 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: Gaffer

“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.


46 posted on 01/27/2015 9:58:30 AM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose o f a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: SJackson

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.


47 posted on 01/27/2015 10:16:55 AM PST by Tammy8
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To: Carthego delenda est
#26 Trail camera still....

48 posted on 01/27/2015 10:23:05 AM PST by minnesota_bound
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To: Beagle8U
Given this, coyote-wolf hybrids “should be able to do things like take down deer, which a little, scrappy Great Plains wily coyote would not be able to do on its own,” Bozarth said.”

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.

49 posted on 01/27/2015 10:47:19 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: olepap
yeah.

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.

50 posted on 01/27/2015 11:05:46 AM PST by themidnightskulker
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To: SJackson

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.


51 posted on 01/27/2015 11:08:33 AM PST by bobby.223 (Retired up in the snowy mountains of the American Redoubt and it's a great life!)
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To: SJackson
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.

Only needs to be one if it's you.

Canadian Folk Singer Killed By Coyotes

52 posted on 01/27/2015 11:15:21 AM PST by Billthedrill
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To: cripplecreek

Did you take that picture?.......A year ago I saw one exactly like that on the south side of my subdivision in Macomb


53 posted on 01/27/2015 12:13:26 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (Man of "non-color" and proud of it)
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To: defconw
Anyone can shoot them out here.

I know a farmer out in N.W. Kansas who hunts them with greyhounds......

54 posted on 01/27/2015 12:16:08 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (Man of "non-color" and proud of it)
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To: I cannot think of a name
The coyote that I saw in the neighborhood near mine, was healthy looking with a full coat. The ones I have seen in south Texas were mangy with patchy fur. I have several small dogs and our back yard backs up to a ravine. I worry about a coyote killing one of my dogs. I would be devastated.
55 posted on 01/27/2015 1:56:46 PM PST by Ditter
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To: cripplecreek

Beautiful animal! Nasty critter, I know, but a beautiful animal.


56 posted on 01/27/2015 4:52:37 PM PST by Ellendra (People who kill without reason cannot be reasoned with.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

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!


57 posted on 01/27/2015 5:01:53 PM PST by Ellendra (People who kill without reason cannot be reasoned with.)
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To: SJackson
They even get parts in movies. I wonder if they have to pay union dues?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX9JNJThhxY

58 posted on 01/27/2015 5:42:40 PM PST by Polynikes (What would Walt Kowalski do. In the meantime "GET OFF MY LAWN")
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To: SJackson

we use a 20 gauge slug gun with rifled slugs.


59 posted on 01/27/2015 5:48:16 PM PST by Palio di Siena
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To: Palio di Siena

Excellent tool for two-legged predators, also.


60 posted on 01/27/2015 5:52:17 PM PST by MHGinTN (Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
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