It’s a potential problem for me. Being an amateur astronomer, I need to get out in the country under dark skies if I want to see more than planets and bright stars. Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin are definitely coyote country.
Also sightings of possible mountain lions an even a bear.
Part of my astronomy gear anymore is my 9mm handgun.
Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it…
My go to is a Savage 110 Predator Max in .223 with a Nikon 3-12 calibrated to .223 load of a 55 grain boat tail and a Harris bipod. Add in a Nikon rangefinder and it’s a done deal.
“Being an amateur astronomer, I need to get out in the country under dark skies if I want to see more than planets and bright stars.”
Where I am in WA State, you’d never think to be overly cautious of the smaller coyotes we have here. The cougars, yes.