Sure we don't need a new dog warden, i found a rattlesnake in my yard last summer and nobody alerted me to the fact that it could eat my cat or dog. Wild animals run from humans, don't put a bunch of people on the defense and shooting animals out of fear!
He thinks he looks intelligent with his foot down his throat, where were his army clothes?
Then again this is Toledo, i feel superior to the natives this is why i stay!
posted by Guest at 01:46 P.M. EST on Tue Mar 11, 2003 #
Since Toledo City Council has been super busy with matters of critical concern, I decided to ease their workload and devise the color-coded coyote alert system for northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
Teal = low (no recent coyote sightings)
Brown = medium (coyotes have been sighted in and around Toledo. residents should keep an eye on their pets.)
Black = high (coyote attacks have occurred.)
posted by jr at 12:39 A.M. EST on Thu Mar 20, 2003 #
In May of this year, I spotted a coyote in a field along Rt. 2, just east of Oregon.
Then in June, a coyote was making strange noises at me at Oak Openings. I was walking along a road, and the coyote was also in the road ahead of me about 200 yards. He would look at me, squawk, howl, whatever, then walk a little, then turn back around, and repeat. Kind of interesting.
Haven't seen a coyote recently. I haven't heard of any "coyote chatter" being picked up by law enforcement, so the alert level is being dropped from medium to low.
posted by jr at 11:44 A.M. EST on Tue Nov 04, 2003 #
The alert level has been raised from "low" to "medium", because of this Blade story.
"Information from a local resident about a pack of coyotes running near Fort Meigs State Memorial Park has prompted Perrysburg officials to warn residents in that area to keep an eye on their children and pets.
Jeff Studer, the city’s animal control officer, said last night that seven or eight coyotes were seen near a wooded area across the road from Fort Meigs by a local resident who was walking his dog over the weekend."
posted by jr at 11:14 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 19, 2003 #
Coyotes are interesting creatures and should be recognized as so. If they didn't have some sort of intelligence they wouldn't be alive. It's not only unfair to kill them because they need to kill in order to survive, it's just plain stupid.
posted by Guest at 08:28 P.M. EST on Sun Dec 07, 2003 #
I think the individual who says that he spoke with a wildlife officer and that the officer told him that 75% of all coyotes around here are rabid should find out the truth. Either the wildlife officer lied, is full of beans, is definitely biased against coyotes or what you think he said is not what he said. 75% of the coyotes in this area are not rabid. As a matter of fact, Lucas county has a very low incidence of anything showing up rabid. maybe you should use you computer for more worthwhile things like looking up statistics.
posted by Guest at 01:29 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 17, 2004 #
It was an Ohio wildlife official who told me three or four years ago that 75% of Ohio's coyotes were rabid. This was at a booth at some home and garden show in Cleveland. The booth was run by the DNR or the Division of Wildlife, something like that. I can't keep track of all the different groups. They had several live critters at their booth. It was educational for kids and adults. They had a stuffed coyote. I started talking to the official about the coyote, and that's when he gave me his stat.
Answer me this. Why is there an open season on coyotes in Ohio?
Whoever said "75% of the coyotes in this area are not rabid," where are you getting your information? If you got the stats, then post them or at least post the link to the stats. You're just blabbing too.
Biased against coyotes. Now that's rich.
Anyway, I haven't heard of any recent coyote sightings within the city, so the alert level is being dropped to low, which is the fine color of teal.
There has been a recent badger sighting. They're in the Oak Openings region, but they're hard to find.
posted by jr at 12:27 P.M. EST on Thu Mar 25, 2004 #
Looking for info about rabid coyotes in Ohio, but not seeing much. There's info on rabid raccoons. Actually, I don't care if coyotes are rabid or not. That wasn't the point of this topic. This was a lark, a spoof, against the worthless accomplishments by Toledo City Council, starting with this one.
Anyway, since we're on the subject of real coyotes, I'll say that a coyote is a decent looking critter if you get to see one up close. I've seen one at Secor Metropark, Oak Openings Metropark, in the hills of eastern Ohio, and I saw one from the car that was in a field just east of Toledo along Rt 2.
Here's more info about the coyote from the Ohio DNR.
"Love or hate it, the coyote has the ability to make the best of a bad situation to survive or even prosper."
"The coyote made its initial appearance in Ohio in 1919 and today is found in all 88 counties. Ever adaptable, it is not unusual to find the coyote in a city setting."
"The coyote is generally a slender animal, very similar in appearance to a medium-sized dog. The majority of coyotes are gray, though some show a rusty, brown or off-white coloration. The coyote stands about one and one half to two feet tall and is between 41 to 53 inches in length. Males of this species are larger than the females and weigh anywhere from 20 to 50 pounds."
"The coyote is a nocturnal animal, active during the nighttime hours. However, when it is less threatened by man, it will hunt and move from place to place during the day. The coyote will hunt in unrelated (non-family) pairs or large groups, in search of small mammals including shrews, voles, and rabbits. The coyote will also eat fruits, grasses, vegetables, or carrion; it is an omnivore and adapts its diet to the available food source."
"The coyote has been observed following badgers as they dig and hunt for food. The coyote often takes the small prey the badger kicks up and doesn't eat for itself."
"The coyote's strength is that it can adapt and exploit most any habitat to its advantage. While most wildlife species have avoided developed areas and often declined as a result of man's expansion, the coyote seems to have thrived."
"The coyote's primary threat remains man; but by being active at night, it significantly reduces its contact with humans. So a city territory could provide as many opportunities and resources as the natural range of open farmland and woodlots."
"The Division of Wildlife does not manage for the establishment or expansion of the coyote in Ohio. Division personnel assist farmers and other landowners in identifying and controlling nuisance coyotes."
"For all its ability to adapt and cope with the presence of man, the coyote remains an elusive, almost invisible resident. More likely than not, you will hear a coyote rather than see one."
"Active or Potential Nuisance Species: Yes"
All the ones I've seen were in the daylight.
Then there's this fun story from Findlay about a coyote hunting club.
"To keep the pesky and destructive creatures under control is the goal of the club, whose 15-18 members have taken up arms every winter since 1985."
"Coyotes need about one rabbit a day, or the equivalent, to keep from starving. This means that they are always hunting, and always hungry. Locally, coyotes have been known to dine on both pets and livestock."
" "A lady had a black and white cat," Swope said. "One day she looked out of her back window and saw a pair of coyotes. One had the black and white cat in its mouth." Another woman "had 24 ducks in her pond in the fall," Swope said. "When she looked a little later she had 10 ducks left, so she called us..." "
"Hogs can become coyote food, too, Swope said: "There was two brothers living on (Ohio) 613. One had a pond and the other had a hog farm. Well, this coyote would drink from one brother's pond and then eat the other's pigs for dinner." "
"Cygnet Coyote Club members hunt in the winter time because that is when coyotes are hungriest and most likely to attack farm animals."
"Swope said. "Grab your gun and step out your back door and you're in coyote land." "
Even nicer than the coyote is seeing the red fox. In the last two years, I've seen red fox at Woodlawn Cemetery, W.W. Knight Nature Preserve in Perrysburg, Metzger Marsh, and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
posted by jr at 02:55 P.M. EST on Thu Mar 25, 2004 #
Time to raise the coyote threat level back to medium again. From a post at the Toledo Naturalists rare bird posting forum:
"While looking for blue grosbeaks and other birds in a remote part of oak openings, I was asked to leave the area by a coyote. The animal was in excellent health and yipped at me loudly while it circled at a short distance as if it was defending its territory or protecting a den. It followed me yippin loudly for about fifty yards then stopped. I proceeded on, saw a blue grosbeak,scarlet tanager,hooded,blackthroated green and pine warblers,veeryetc. About an hour later i returned to the area. The coyote gave me the same greeting, loudly yipping/barking at me."
posted by jr at 11:11 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 16, 2004 #
I recently saw a coyote walking along the tracks near the W.W. Knight Preserve. A week before that I saw a red fox in the same area. As for the noise about rabid coyotes, a cat in our neighborhood was attacked by a coyote, but fortunately the cat got away after the coyote was chased off. Unfortunately, the cats skull was bitten through. The cat was taken to a veterarian who then operated on the cat. Though the cat nearly died from the attack, a diagnosis of rabbies was not made.
posted by Guest at 09:22 A.M. EST on Wed Feb 02, 2005 #
The following is from an e-mail I received on April 24, 2005.
-----------
Coyote sighting by Newspaper delivery people. Early morning between 3-5 am.
Came out of no where, jumped infront of car, suddenly changed course, next on drivers side and dissappeard.
Fallen Timbers Drive, close to the Fallen Timbers Memorial.
Must have jumped over the fence on Rt.24 and came from the woods on the other side of the Street. Close to Jerome Rd. Down below is the Maumee River and Side Cut Park.
This sighting happenend twice within a month same area.
-----------
My question is, what newspaper was being delivered? Maybe that's the problem. The coyotes dislike the newspaper being handed out.
In Cleveland:
"A coyote removed from the Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation on Saturday, April 16 tested positive for rabies. The animal bit a cyclist and approached several other hikers and dog walkers in an aggressive, menacing behavior before Cleveland Metroparks Rangers located the animal and dispatched it."
posted by jr at 10:42 A.M. EST on Sun Apr 24, 2005 #
Back in February or March I took my wife and kids to Bayview Park to show them one of Point Place's most prized attractions- a Bald Eagle nest. As we were leaving I spotted a rather canine looking animal cutting through the Retiree Golf Course. By it's gate I could tell it wasn't somebody's pooch. As we got closer I realized it was a fox. But it was a little bigger than I've seen up north and it had the ugliest coat. Several colors and no discernable pattern. Can someone tell me if this is normal for a fox in this area? This was the first I had ever seen in these parts. I'm wondering if a fox could crossbreed with a local mutt or perhaps even a coyote?
posted by Catharsis at 09:10 A.M. EST on Sat Sep 03, 2005 #
There have been several independent sightings of a small rusty red coated animal believed to be a red fox in the Whisperwood subdivison in Holland, Ohio. I myself have seen one loping along the railroad tracks. There have been red fox sightings reported off and on in the Holland and Swanton area for years, but never a mention of a coyote. Perhaps their territories are mutually exclusive.
posted by holland at 10:28 P.M. EST on Sun Sep 11, 2005 #
Coyote taken from Cleveland Metroparks
North Chagrin Reservation Tests Positive for Rabies
A coyote removed from Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation on Saturday, April 1, 2005 tested positive for rabies. The animal bit a cyclist and approached several other hikers and dog-walkers in an aggressive behavior before Cleveland Metroparks Rangers located the animal and dispatched it. The animal's body was taken to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, which subsequently sent it to the Ohio Department of Health for analysis. Test results were given to Cleveland Metroparks late afternoon April 20. Park District staff immediately notified the bitten cyclist. This appears to be the first known case of rabies in a coyote in Ohio. NOTE TO ALL HERE, IT SAYS THE FIRST KNOWN CASE OF RABIES IN A COYOTE IN OHIO. CONTINUE TO READ WHERE IT SAYS THE NEXT ONE TESTED WAS NEGATIVE. The coyote was infected with "raccoon strain rabies" indicating that the coyote contracted the virus from a bite from a rabid raccoon.
There was also an incident on Sunday, April 17, 2005 in the same area. A park patron walking a dog reported that the dog's paw had been nipped by a second coyote. Cleveland Metroparks natural resources staff then closed an approximately 50-acre area of North Chagrin Reservation known as the "Upper 40."
Cleveland Metroparks Chief of Natural Resources, Dr. Daniel Petit, immediately contacted officials from the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA.) USDA recommended that the best course of action is to immediately begin enhanced surveillance in the "Upper 40" area of Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation to include sharp shooting and snaring coyotes. This effort began on April 22, with the intent of removing several of the coyotes to determine the extent of rabies in this population. One additional coyote was shot in the reservation on May 4. It was determined that the second animal did not have the rabies virus. The southern portion of North Chagrin Reservation, namely areas south and east of North Chagrin Nature Center has been closed to the public until at least June 1 to facilitate the removal.
For those of you who are looking for any excuse to kill a coyote, rabies cannot be one of them. For those of us who are looking at excuses for idiots,(THE DUMBING OF AMERICA CONTINUES) lets all assume they are infected with rabies and that is there excuse for their idiocy. That and being a robot parroting whatever they "hear" and a sheep following their inane leader over the edge of a cliff.
posted by treehugger at 10:00 A.M. EST on Tue Feb 28, 2006 #
I hunt coyotes every weekend. last year i shot 126 of them between wood and lucas county. 90 percent of the coyotes i shot was sick,or had mange.Coyotes have no natural predator. Each female can have up to 12 pups a year.They are everywhere if you actually know where to look for them... The coyote hunter
posted by coyotehunter at 09:07 P.M. EST on Thu Mar 23, 2006 #
It's very interesting to hear of all the coyotes in the area. I myself had never seen one till last week on our way home from a night out at Jack's Log Cabin (a pub in the country). Before anyone says anything I did not have a drop of alcohol. We were on our way home from Jack's on County Rd. 3, just south of Fulton County, when we saw what I first thought was a red fox. Then I realized that it was way too tall and had a light grey varigrated coat,it was a bit too scruffy too, so I thought hey this must be one of the coyotes I've been hearing about. Never seeing one I wasn't sure till I checked out some pictures of coyotes on the web. After that I was sure. I don't know about being rabid or eating people's pets but I thought he was beautiful. I figure if ya'all keep yurselves away from his terr'tory then he'll keep outta youin's (and maybe ya'all better keep a closer eye on youin's fidos -n- fluffies).
posted by catart58 at 09:32 P.M. EST on Sun Apr 16, 2006 #
Everyone seems to be on the offensive about how to handle the coyote situation that plagues the area. I live on a small farm north-east of toledo with a small creek, open fields and a wooded area. For the past 5 years I have enjoyed a variety of wildlife that wanders onto the property to eat and nest. There have been deer, rabbits, wild turkeys, ducks, pheasant, raccoons, foxes and every other kind of wild living thing you'd expect in this area. The point is, every wild animal seemed domesticated enough not to bother my pets or each other. That all changed about a year ago when the coyotes started inhabiting the area. They've killed virtually everything and remain on the prowl leaving remnants of their kill for me to witness. From my perspective this situation is out of control and I get down-right hostile when people want to be protective of something so vicious. I truly love all animals and nature but am intelligent enough to realize that nature has to have a balance in order to survive. Coyotes are depleting the natural order of the wild and all other wild animals are paying the ultimate price for that with their lives. I believe it's time for animal control to step in and do something before the situation gets any more out of control. Will they start to attack people after they've ate everything else?
posted by cinnie at 12:36 A.M. EST on Fri Jun 09, 2006 #
I can only agree with Cinnie.
Too many individuals believe they know what is best for everyone because of how they 'feel'. Knowledge is secondary to their feelings and through the indulgence of societies understanding, these passive aggressive individuals force their beliefs on all of us at our expense, not theirs. I live just outside of Toledo's east side on a nice piece of rural property that my dad bought many years ago. We have planted thousands of trees (Thanks to assistance from the Wood County SWC ) and many at our own expense. We did this so my grand children could see and enjoy nature and the abundance of wildlife that lives in this area. We also had the pleasure of seeing many species of animals. Within the last 3 years, all have disappeared. We began finding coyote scat (droppings) in abundance. Neighbors’ small dogs began to disappear as did some domestic cats in the neighborhood (the clean ones with collars and all of their shots). Last fall while eating breakfast a mature female coyote casually trotted across our back yard. I shot that varmint and four more since.
We have also found many feral cats that were extremely mangy. We found evidence of them in the pheasant nests, as well many killed but not eaten rabbits and songbirds. When I saw one with a baby rabbit in its mouth I shot it too, and any I have seen since. There needs to be a balance of nature. Careless cat lovers who release their animals and those bleeding hearts that feed and protect coyotes have no idea what they are doing, which is destroying the balance of nature.
These very destructive varmints do not have animal predators any more. For that reason, we maintain the balance of nature on our property, man remains the ultimate predator and we must do that with as much caution, concern, and passion as we use to protect the land we love. I am sure I will upset some animal lover out there. My suggestion is to learn from some source other than the Disney channel. There is some very good information available from the ODNR as well as our libraries. The feelings of a few do not outweigh the reality of life.
Coyotes are not cute wildlife, they are ruthless and very intelligent predators that will kill and eat everything in sight. A few are one thing but we have allowed them to proliferate to the point where the habitat cannot support them.
posted by Mastiff at 10:10 P.M. EST on Tue Jul 04, 2006 #
the following came from the humane society.........
Coyotes almost certainly do humans more good than harm by keeping a natural balance between animals, such as rabbits and rodents, and landscapes, such as agricultural fields, that humans seek to protect.
All this good, however, immediately dissipates when the occasional cat or small dog becomes part of the coyote's eclectic palate
mastiff, i agree with you when you say there needs to be a balance. if their population becomes too great, it needs to be managed (hunted). when it's not managed properly, problems arise. we could very well be at that point. the white-tailed deer could serve as a prime example of this.
with all due respect cinnie and mastiff, you sound like the ranchers out west talking about the wolf. coyotes play a part in the diversity of wildlife. if coyotes weren't around, you would then an increase of other other nuisance species. it simply serves as an important and intelligent predator.
lastly, talking about coyote attacks on humans only serves to stir up panic and hysteria. coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare. actually, the family dog is a much greater threat for an attack.
posted by wholesaler1972 at 10:17 A.M. EST on Fri Jul 07, 2006 #
I believe an open-season still exists on coyotes, which means you can shoot them anytime you want. If you don't want to shoot them, it shouldn't be too hard to find a hunter who will.
wholesaler1972, the reason an open-season exists on coyotes is because the balance is way out of wack. Coyotes were not around in these numbers 20 years ago, heck even 10 years ago.
How did the coyote numbers get so large now? I'll have to verify, but I think it was due to some do-gooders who re-introduced them into Ohio or surrounding states.
wholesaler1972, what's the predator in Ohio for the coyote? None, that I can think of. Maybe a rare bobcat in southern Ohio. A bobcat would probably shred a coyote. That would be an interesting battle.
Anyway, a gun is the only predator I'm aware of for the coyote. wholesaler1972, the gun is needed to keep the balance you speak of.
July 11, 2006 NBC 24 story:
"Residents of Ottawa Hills near Toledo have reported several coyote sightings in recent weeks. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife says because coyotes are primarily nocturnal animals, daytime sightings can be rare."
I've seen coyotes at Oak Openings and Secor Metroparks and along Rt 2, just east of Oregon. All in the daytime.
"Scott Butterworth, a wildlife management supervisor for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, tells NBC 24 that coyotes are present in all 88 Ohio counties. Butterworth says coyotes are usually not a threat to humans, because the coyotes get scared and typically run away when they see people."
One coyote at Oak Openings was in the road I was walking along. He saw me, made strange noises, but as I walked toward him, he kept walking away from me, looking back at me, and making those weird noises.
posted by jr at 08:52 P.M. EST on Tue Jul 11, 2006 #
jr, make no mistake....i'm not against them being hunted. my earlier post mentioned there needs to be management. a balance must be met and maintained.
i just don't agree with the scare tactics alot of people use. for example, cinnie said "Will they start to attack people after they've ate everything else?" mastiff then says "they are ruthless and very intelligent predators that will kill and eat everything in sight."
again, they sound like the ranchers out west when discussing the wolf.
posted by wholesaler1972 at 09:37 P.M. EST on Tue Jul 11, 2006 #
I think the open-season hunting on coyotes is the management.
"Will they start to attack people after they've ate everything else?"
They may attack if you accidentally get to close to a den. Check the comment above that contains the birder's notes about encountering a coyote at Oak Openings metropark.
"While looking for blue grosbeaks and other birds in a remote part of oak openings, I was asked to leave the area by a coyote. The animal was in excellent health and yipped at me loudly while it circled at a short distance as if it was defending its territory or protecting a den. It followed me yippin loudly for about fifty yards then stopped."
If the coyote gives ample warning, then things should be okay. But what if the person is running on one of the trails at Oak Openings? Things would happen much quicker then.
From the Ohio Division of Wildlife webpage on coyotes:
"The coyote's strength is that it can adapt and exploit most any habitat to its advantage. While most wildlife species have avoided developed areas and often declined as a result of man's expansion, the coyote seems to have thrived."
"It's not hard to see how an adaptable animal like the coyote could utilize urban areas to its advantage. Ample food can be found in dumpsters or garbage cans, and squirrels, rabbits, and raccoons are all fairly common in the city. Coyotes have been found taking shelter in drainpipes; abandoned buildings can also serve as a home. Most major cities were established near or along major waterways, thus a city dwelling coyote wouldn't have to go far in search of water. Waterways and the adjacent land also provide travel lanes or corridors. Interestingly, the primary place where coyotes have been located in Ohio is in the vicinity of major watersheds. The coyote's primary threat remains man; but by being active at night, it significantly reduces its contact with humans. So a city territory could provide as many opportunities and resources as the natural range of open farmland and woodlots."
"The Division of Wildlife does not manage for the establishment or expansion of the coyote in Ohio. Division personnel assist farmers and other landowners in identifying and controlling nuisance coyotes. Division staff also work to inform and educate the public about the coyote and its presence in the state. Research is ongoing on resident coyote populations. Biologists are studying the animals' behavior, movements, and population in the state."
Badgers exist in the Oak Openings region. Apparently, coyotes stay clear of badgers, which is probably a good thing. Badgers are nocturnal and they have wicked claws and a nasty demeanor. We only have a few badgers in Ohio, but this is an interesting tidbit:
"The coyote has been observed following badgers as they dig and hunt for food. The coyote often takes the small prey the badger kicks up and doesn't eat for itself. This apparently is an enduring practice, as pre-Columbian artifacts show the coyote and badger engaged in this hunting practice."
posted by jr at 09:57 P.M. EST on Tue Jul 11, 2006 #
in terms of "management", it sounds like we have similar opinions. if the dnr determines we should have an open season, so be it. again, a balance is key.
through time and the always expanding human presence, coyotes have broaden their range.
a lack of balance could partially be to blame for the coyotes' expansion. the coyote has moved into areas where the wolve no longer exists. we removed the wolf and the balance was lost.
posted by wholesaler1972 at 11:04 P.M. EST on Tue Jul 11, 2006 #
There is an open season on coyotes because they are a non native species (ie Invasive) just the same as japanese honeysuckle and garlic mustard. They are removed so that natural predators will not be forced to compete against the larger coyote. Simple as that. Coyotes migrated east and filled a niche once occupied by the red wolf and the gray wolf. Unlike the ranchers out west who are dealing with a native species to their surroundings the coyote no more belongs in Ohio then an african lion does. Of course there will always be someone who will side with the lion...nitwits
posted by Dennissmoy at 09:38 P.M. EST on Sun Jul 16, 2006 #
There is a story on 13's website www.13abc.com regarding coyotes being spotted at Amsterdam & Independence in west Toledo, the one on video is rather large. Also, they have heard whimpers in the woods (they believe it to be pups).
I have recently seen a baby and adult fox in Waterville Meadows (on Dana Rae) as well as spotting a coyote in the distance behind the house there.
The baby fox was chased around the yard by the dog (ciao)... it's a good thing he wasn't chasing the adult fox, when the baby fox got cornered in the corner of the fence it hissed and clawed at the dog, also tried to bite. Luckily the fox missed him and founds it's way back out of the fence. I saw that they were getting in at the back corner of the chicken wire & split rail fence (where animals have made a path under the fence).
posted by gotoledogo at 02:01 P.M. EST on Sat Jul 22, 2006 #
Ive got an Uncle who has sees them in the area he farms down in rural wood county (bradner area)
He hasnt really had a problem with them, but a neighbor complains that they get on his hay bales (the huge round ones) that he has shrink wrapped and stores outside. Their nails puncture the shrink wrap and water gets in and the hay rots.
posted by billy at 02:33 P.M. EST on Sat Jul 22, 2006 #
I have to totally disagree with wholesaler1972. I am not trying to use scare tactics or ensue mass hysteria by implying the coyotes will eat people. I'm only stating the facts about a growing problem. I live on a farm near the city limits ( not a ranch out west ) I simply posted a natural concern to a serious problem that only seems to worsen with time. The coyotes were once intimidated by any sight of humans. Choosing to run and hide or keep their activities limited to the veil of darkness . That's changed. They've become complacent. They are now prowling and hunting in broad daylight. They are becoming less and less influenced by humans. A natural evolution of behavior is occuring so it's perfectly normal to be concerned with how far the situation may go. I consider this post to be a personal observation for the coyote activity in my area, not a scare tactic. I certainly wouldn't want wholesaler1972 or anyone else to believe I was trying to cause mass hysteria simply by commenting on the situation at hand.
posted by cinnie at 09:31 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 10, 2006 #
Will they start to attack people after they've ate everything else?
i understand what you're saying, but i honestly do not find this type of statement to be rational.
there's a much greater risk of a family dog "attacking" someone versus a coyote. coyote attacks are extremely, extremely rare. the last one i read about was in ne oh and involved a hiker stumbling upon a den.
should you be conscious of the animal and their capabilities? sure. should you make changes in your routine? probably. don't let the family dog out by itself at night. watch what you do with garbage, etc, etc.
their expansion is largely the fault of humans. it is no coincidence that through the years their expansion is connected to the removal of the wolf. so shame on us.
posted by wholesaler1972 at 10:19 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 11, 2006 #
their expansion is largely the fault of humans. it is no coincidence that through the years their expansion is connected to the removal of the wolf. so shame on us.
Or maybe it is just natural progression? I think it is too easy to just blame humans for every environmental change.
posted by fequalsma73 at 01:23 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 11, 2006 #
natural progression....is that what you call our slaughter of the wolf? what i am saying is without eliminating the wolf in most areas the coyote would not have flourished.
as noted from a wildlife website.....
The nearly successful attempts to exterminate the Gray Wolf (the Coyote's primary predator) has been largely responsible for the Coyote's great expansion across the American continent.
that's why i say much of the fault falls in our laps. whenever we screw with mother nature, we mess it up.
posted by wholesaler1972 at 08:14 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
Well, from a Biblical standpoint, which you may or may not give any credence, man rules over the animals of the earth.
Genesis 1:28
"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
But if you don't believe in the Bible, I can understand where you are coming from.
posted by fequalsma73 at 12:24 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
I agree with both of you Wholesaler and fequals.
Feq - Yes, what it says in genesis is true (as is everything it says), but it does NOT say that just because we're charged with ruling over all living creatures that everything we do is correct.
He gave other directives as well, including the biggie about eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and they screwed THAT one up RIGHT off the bat, so you cant say that just because God wants us to rule over all living things that we're always right.
Wholesaler - I think youre right in when you point out that in eliminating the coyote's competition we've opened the gates for it's unchecked expansion.
Also - we've introduced so many foreign animals into this area that we've provided year round food for him too.
Look out side at the birds in your yard. What do you see? Sparrows, sparrows, sparrows...
400 years ago we'd see all different types and colors of songbirds, but then some Englishmen decided they missed their fugly gray/brown sparrows, and brought them over here, and they multiplied so much they pushed out all the far prettier local birds, and now, percentagewise, pretty much all we have are sparrows.
posted by billy at 06:39 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
I hit post when I meant to continue -
I was going to go on and say BUT - when you read the last line in jr's original post" I talked with an Ohio wildlife official two years ago, and he said 75% of the coyotes in Ohio are rabid.
In this situation, if what's said is true, then I believe as fequalsm said, we need to take care of that problem. If theyre diseased and dangerous. Then it's both our right and our responsibility to take them out.
posted by billy at 06:42 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
billy, i've looked for any mention of that high rabid rate of coyotes and have not found a thing (not saying it isn't true, but i simply didn't locate anything remotely close to this). i wonder if jr spoke with a wildlife official that embellished the truth.
honestly, if the rate was that high, i imagine the state would have a much more aggressive mgmt plan.
posted by wholesaler1972 at 03:32 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
fequal, i personally don't use the bible for reference when considering wildlife mgmt/ eradication.
posted by wholesaler1972 at 08:59 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
Wholesaler--that's fair. Some do, some don't. I try to use it in everyday life. The key word in that sentence is 'try' because it's tough sometimes.
posted by fequalsma73 at 09:12 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
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