Monday, July 11, 2011

Perimeter Predator

Like most things in life, things happen when you're not paying attention.
 But unfortunately, things happen even if you are paying attention. 



Just last week, circa 4:00 p.m., I was feeding the two goats their grain,
as I always do,
holding the bowl while they shared.

Upon looking out into the clearing,
I see 2 coyotes trolling in the field in front of the pig fencing and round pen.  

I was standing in the background under the shade trees.


I watched for about 8 minutes, as two coyotes trotted and circled the fencing, frustrated at the rabbits who were thumping their hind legs and flitting about, running for cover,
unlike these contented rabbits pictured below... 



The next day, Russ and I walked the portable fencing to double check all the connections.




We found where "something" had tried to bolt into the fencing
and flipped the fencing upside down, in the corner.
We knew it had to be one of the coyotes trying to enter. 
Had it been our pigs, it would have been from the inside out,
and they would have made their way through.  

As it stands, our pigs have never tested the fencing since the original poke. 



This isn't the first time we've seen coyotes in broad daylight.  
It's becoming an almost daily event.  
You'll note below, the coyote isn't even alarming our horses. 
That's an indicator he's been through many times.  



The morning I scared him off by the horses, he circled around and came in closer...



 And, unfortunately, two weeks ago, 
Mr. Jitters (my Heritage breed JAVA rooster) 
was snagged by a coyote, near our main cabin.

I loved that rooster...he was my favorite of all 5.


Needless to say, 
I always carry my little Marlin with me now,
when I head out on trails. 



Just in case a couple coyotes try to mingle too closely with my trusty dog, Zip.
Bear in mind, I would not shoot at a coyote, just shoot to scare if off.

Although per Michigan DNR:  
Coyote may be taken on private property by a property owner or designee all year if they are doing or about to do damage on private property. A license or written permit is not needed.


Zip lets me know if she smells a coyote, either on the ground, or in the wind.
She's not a fan...and the hackles standing up on her back indicate such.

But even knowing they are a predator, I'm fascinated by them.

Until tomorrow, God willing...

Speaking of tomorrow...I plan on giving you a tour of our place in the next couple days...
so you can figure out just what's what, and where we are.

Perhaps we can connect the dots.

8 comments:

Sherri B. said...

Well now, I could swap some coyote stories with you...They come out in the daylight all the time around our place. Awhile back I came home from out of town and found feathers from one of our chickens in the field right next to our front yard fence, right where the coyotes pass through to the drive way up to another house on the property. Acting just like it might be a dog that lives there...Last week there were two, almost full grown ones playing and hunting almost in front of the house..I said "what do you think you're doing"? They just looked odd at me and moved to the middle of the field (which isn't very far)they are getting very bold...I had better stop before my comment is longer than your post..sorry!

Sherry Sutherby http://russ-stickacres.blogspot.com/ said...

LOL...no, don't stop Sherri B. You may be ready to Blog about it though...:) Sounds like our duo. They just need to not progress any further. Hopefully that will be the case. And of course, the others who are in hiding...

Walk In Truth said...

Hi Sherry,
I'm so sorry to hear about your rooster, he looks beautiful in that picture. I know it's difficult to loose a pet of any kind when we love them.

Close to my home, are mountain lions, and coyote's , but there are also deer, bunnies and of course the not so cute creatures. I have seen a deer, and a few coyote's, but I have had 2 snake encounters in my life and I'm terrified of snakes. I live adjacent to O'Neill Regional Park and although I have not seen a mountain lion, there have been footprints found in the neighborhood.

I look forward to your next post.
God bless you and keep safe,
Michele

Mary Ann said...

Oh, my, this was a good post! We have coyotes here, too, two packs, one to the west and one to the east. They won't come in the pasture now with the llamas there, the llamas would kill them. We did lose a gander to them once, before the llamas arrived. I love to hear them calling to each other, and oddly enough, our dogs have never reacted to them!

Sue said...

Since I get up so early, I often hear a pack that runs our area. When they howl, it just raises the hair on the back of my neck. They all have a place in the great scheme of life, but I don't like them. But, I'm like you. I don't shoot them either.
Sorry about the rooster-he was indeed a handsome fella.

Edward said...

Sometimes I am so glad to be living in England, as we have no coyotes here, just foxes and I don’t think they are as much of a problem as coyotes. It’ll be good to get an idea of the layout of your place looking forward to the new post.
Regards
Edward

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