Pot Shot at Resident Coyote

[H95Kidd]

Took a pot shot at one of my bolder resident coyotes, this to discourage them from coming up into the yard and getting too close to the houses. Set up is the wife was sitting out on the patio, and I get a text from her (I was down in the basement) saying two coyotes were out near the back edge of our property. Although we live in a "city" enviro, we have an unusually large 400+ ft deep lot, with a drainage and thick woods that kind forms the rear property perimeter, about 100 yds from the patio. The coyotes use this drainage as a kinda covert travel corridor to move about unseen, usually stalking our other resident critters, this until they want to come up out of there and pounce. One tried this on a duck recently, the poor Mallard BARELY made it. If the coyote had leapt as the duck took flight, I think he would have HAD him. Anyway, by the time I grab the gas-rammed .22 cal Hatsan 95 and load a pellet, one of the pair had already disappeared back into the drainage. The other was almost gone as well, but I had a bead on him and let the JSB 15.89 fly. Held about a foot or so high above his hindquarters, this was about 80 yds out. I believe I connected as he took off rocket-like as if something had scalded his arse!   Had a good laugh out of this episode, hopefully he will be discouraged from coming any closer to the houses. On a more serious note, I wish I could actually eliminate these buggars, but the city has a "no hunting" or discharge of firearms ordinance on the books. Maybe trap them? I'll have to research this a bit. I think the two coyotes seen were our resident "mating pair". I could hear the shrill "yipping" from their pups recently (sirens--fire trucks and ambu's set them off) so I know they have a fresh litter to feed. These coyotes are VERY hard on our resident deer population, mainly the defenseless fawns. Currently, the does I see are acting very nervous/abnormal, and I have yet to see any "survivor" fawns about. Unfortunately, I think the coyotes have done a very thorough job on the little ones...Mother Nature at work I guess.   

[HunterWhite]

Joe, I’ve read that 30% to 80% of all new fawns born are eaten by coyotes. You may be right about the coyotes being responsible for lack of new fawns. If the coyote pups survive then no neighborhood pets will be safe.

Hunter 

[jimbo]

Nothin but a furry cock roach, kill em all !

[dk1677]

Someone called the police that there as a wolf on a local high school football field, It was a decoy to keep geese off the field   

[Back_Roads]

Someone called the police that there as a wolf on a local high school football field, It was a decoy to keep geese off the field 

I would of assumed it was someone's mascot 

[martrage]

 Joe, advice passed on from a WC deputy about a certain "Karen"/ Political predator issue ; 3 S's ,ie , Shoot ,Shovel,Shush! I am not an attorney ,but I have stayed at Holiday Inn Express'.

[Blowpipe Sam]

Subscribing.

[airgunaut]

If the city ordinance forbids discharge of firearms (presumably includes airguns in your jurisdiction), I hope your gun is quiet. I don't blame you for hazing an urban pest, but watch out.

Someone in Denver shot a pest that IS allowed to be killed there. The problem was that he shot it, and Denver didn't allow shooting in city limits. He got fined thanks to Door #2.

A friend of mine who lived in Denver years ago shot pigeons across the street. I warned him but I knew he would ignore that. Meanwhile, he would trap and relocate squirrels "out to the country". I asked him why relo destructive squirrels yet shoot pigeons. The reason he gave:  "Because squirrels are all furry and cute."

Go figure! I detest deer myself. The coyotes are not a problem on our property...partly because ranchers have shot so many of them over the years.

Nature's balancing act continues ad infinitum.

[H95Kidd]

If the city ordinance forbids discharge of firearms (presumably includes airguns in your jurisdiction), I hope your gun is quiet. I don't blame you for hazing an urban pest, but watch out.

Someone in Denver shot a pest that IS allowed to be killed there. The problem was that he shot it, and Denver didn't allow shooting in city limits. He got fined thanks to Door #2.

A friend of mine who lived in Denver years ago shot pigeons across the street. I warned him but I knew he would ignore that. Meanwhile, he would trap and relocate squirrels "out to the country". I asked him why relo destructive squirrels yet shoot pigeons. The reason he gave:  "Because squirrels are all furry and cute."

Go figure! I detest deer myself. The coyotes are not a problem on our property...partly because ranchers have shot so many of them over the years.

Nature's balancing act continues ad infinitum.

Airgunaut---The ordinance that prohibits discharge of firearms seems almost a bit comical to me, in view of all the gunfire one can hear at various times of the day. Mainly at night, through the early morning hours. I don't hear it EVERY day, but often enough. There are a LOT of shootings /crime that occurs in this city, so I would think that local law enforcement has "better" things to do than worry about some bloke taking a warning shot with an airgun, at a backyard coyote. At least I would hope so... Anyway, the city is flush with them (the coyotes), and it is not unusual to see them out and about at all hours of the day. The local Facebook "groups" post pictures of them roaming about constantly. The only "good" thing I would say about them is they have driven out/killed most of the raccoons/groundhogs and most other critters OUT. They basically kill/eat EVERYTHING, including people's pets. Their population is basically controlled ONLY by the available food supply.  Your advice to "watch out" is well taken though, as sometimes the low-hanging fruit (like say, a backyard airgunner/enthusiast) is easier than the pursuit of killers/criminals. I know they have to act on any complaints they may receive, so yes, I am VERY careful with the 95. Sure of my backstop and so forth before letting any pellet fly. Also, the 95 is very quiet for sure, the factory moderator is very effective. My backyard, and that of my immediate neighbors, is very deep and surrounded by thick woods--almost park like, and that drainage I mentioned actually leads into a very large county-wide Park system. The coyotes and other wildlife move in/out at will via the drainage. Indeed, Nature's balancing act continues...

[airgunaut]

If local enforcement is "complaint based," that's when you really need to watch your back. They were not shooting-related, but I've seen some bizarre cases of cutting down the low-hanging fruit while much more extreme and harmful violations were ignored.

[Sqrl Klr]

Bobcats and hogs kill fawns too. Deer are good at running into cars causing accidents and deaths plus crashing through home windows too. Just heard someone is recovering from getting rammed by a buck while the guy was on his ebike. Deer are good at spreading ticks too. Not the smartest animal but they taste good at least.

[Blowpipe Sam]

Homo sapiens are too efficient at removing other top tier predators.  Without enough top tier predators the second and third string predators predominate.  Coyote and raccoons do extremely well in close association with us being efficient scavengers as well as predators. I don’t think anyone here would object to a post about killing a nuisance coyote.  I do think someone might object to a post about harassing or crippling a coyote.  This forum has rules regarding ethical hunting and pesting posts.  Please review these rules

[H95Kidd]

Homo sapiens are too efficient at removing other top tier predators.  Without enough top tier predators the second and third string predators predominate.  Coyote and raccoons do extremely well in close association with us being efficient scavengers as well as predators. I don’t think anyone here would object to a post about killing a nuisance coyote.  I do think someone might object to a post about harassing or crippling a coyote.  This forum has rules regarding ethical hunting and pesting posts.  Please review these rules

Really Carter?? Harassing a coyote? I've heard it all now, THAT is a good one, considering that these buggars are basically killing machines with NO means of population control, except how much food source is available to them in a given area. I really DON'T feel bad about taking a "warning" shot at the ones that do get into our backyards, mainly because they are just FINE with taking people's pets if given the opportunity. The coyotes are very emboldened in this city environ, mainly because they are NOT harassed, and roam our backyards with impunity. THAT is why I take an occasional shot at their hindquarters with the 95. I just spied another one yesterday, stalking a pair of Mallard ducks swimming around in a puddle (due to recent heavy rains) in my backyard. While I didn't have a shot opportunity at that particular coyote, I doubt if a jab in the arse at 80+ yards from the 95 can cause any significant or permanent damage. I would think it would be more akin to being stung by a hornet. Geez Carter, I'm not trying to shoot their eye out. I have yet to see even a single fawn at this point, that is very unusual at this time of year, so I think the coyotes have been very successful in finding and killing them, perhaps ALL of them in my area. Talk about "fresh" meat....   I can tell from the nervous and untypical behavior of the mature does that I see currently, that the coyotes are definitely harassing THEM. Some would say they are fine with that, as the deer can also be a problem in the city as well. I wouldn't argue with that position... But realize there needs to be a balance. Am I harassing the coyotes? I sure hope so... My intent is to discourage/keep them away from the houses. That's it...   My opinion is a shot in the arse from the 95 is a bit more effective than just yelling at them, which I have done on MANY occasions. I'm curious if anyone objects to this post? If so my apologies.     

[Back_Roads]

 I find it a grey area, I rather see it DRT myself.

[Blowpipe Sam]

The issue is posting about harassing wildlife.   This is a gray area which is why I posted this warning.  I am a trained and certified nuisance wildlife control officer in the state of Florida. I wouldn’t post on a public forum that I had broken local regulations and was harassing wildlife with an air rifle.  Doesn’t seem like very good judgement to me.  There are rules here about the content you can post.  Read them.

[airgunaut]

Some states allow hazing but not harassment. I thought they were the same, and the wildlife officer in the video I saw did NOT say what the difference was.

My own line between the two is, Does my action intentionally injure the animal? Loud noises often make them leave. So does chasing them off from the immediate area, which probably close to 100% of people guarding their gardens have done.

As a former neighbor stated in reference to keeping deer out of his city lot (full perimeter fencing forbidden), "you have to make them hurt a little." Animals used to human presence are extremely difficult to discourage.

It doesn't help if even one of the neighbors FEEDS the things. Turns into a plague for everybody around.

[Blowpipe Sam]

The legal definition of hazing implies that it does not physically injure the animal.  Harassing is a lot grayer.  We use it (along with molesting) to describe actions up to and including physically injuring an animal.  I don’t think that discussing intentionally injuring an animal without the intent to kill it is an appropriate topic for this forum.

I ain’t a prude folks. I live in the real world too.  I ain’t saying don’t do it.  I’m saying don’t brag about it on the forum.  I’m trying to think of what is best for the forum.

[NorCal David]

The legal definition of hazing implies that it does not physically injure the animal.  Harassing is a lot grayer.  We use it (along with molesting) to describe actions up to and including physically injuring an animal.  I don’t think that discussing intentionally injuring an animal without the intent to kill it is an appropriate topic for this forum.

I ain’t a prude folks. I live in the real world too.  I ain’t saying don’t do it.  I’m saying don’t brag about it on the forum.  I’m trying to think of what is best for the forum.

Agree 100%. We can imagine if the state authorities find a dead animal, dead from any cause, with a pellet caused rump infection. Our image is RESPONSIBLE hunting and pesting without cruelty. And most of us are like that.