View Full Version : Coyotes
Any one seen or reported contacts with coyotes on or near the AT? A rabid one was killed recently south of Richmond Va. See my post in Hygeine and Safety area.
Sky Rider
Yes, in the Smokys on Thanksgiving night at Spence Field. Several howling close by.
Footslogger
01-29-2003, 17:02
This may be a bit of an outdated sighting, but on our hike in 2001 BA Turtle and I had a coyote experience at Abol Bridge. The Abol Campground was closed when we got there so we crossed the road and found a spot down right down on the Pennobscott River. There was a picnic table and we noticed what looked like dog food but never gave it a second thought. I picked up the handful of nuggets and wurfed them out in the woods. As darkness fell and we started dinner at the table and heard rustling in the woods. Shined our lights in the direction of the noise and to our amazement ...there was a coyote. Never thought we'd ever see a coyote in Maine of all places. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I'd never have believed it !!
Coyotes are around. I'm fairly certain I spotted one on a hot afternoon in Connecticut. He was coming down the trail towards me, took one look at me, and then high tailed it back the other weay.
A few years ago while working on Spectale Island in the middle of Boston Harbor we had a coyote out there also. Don't know what he survived on, unless it was gulls, and how he got there, but we have pictures to prove it.
We spotted one in May, in the Whites, just off Garfield Ridge, while going to get water at the Garfield Campsite. May is still early in the season for that area and there isn't too much activity at the campsites mid-week, no caretaker until June, and still lots of snow. It was late in the afternoon, mid-week, and we had the place to ourselves. The coyote ran away very quickly when it realized that we were near and fled past the empty caretakers platform. It looked very lean and the first time I've ever seen a coyote when hiking, they tend to be elusive.(I've seen LOTS more moose and have caught quick glimpses of only a couple of fleeing black bear, WOW are they fast.) I would think that the probability of seeing one again would be quite low and consider it a privilige to have seen one.
Yes, the morning I woke up on Max Patch. Hearing them was one of the many reasons it was my favorite spot of the trail.
Scorpion
01-30-2003, 10:58
Last summer there was a coyote trotting down the trail about 50 yards in front of me going the same direction I was. I didn't see him get on the trail in front of me. He went over a small rise and when I went over it he was gone. I'm really not sure if he knew I was behind him or not. This was just south of Blue Mountain early in the morning. Heading south from Unicoi Gap, in Georgia. He's the only Coyote I've seen on the AT.
Scorpion
Kerosene
01-30-2003, 13:56
I may have seen a coyote just south of Harpers Ferry in October 2001. Whatever it was was 40-50 yards in front of me, and instead of stopping to observe, without thinking I clapped my hands to let it know I was coming. The animal made a quick glance in my direction and then high-tailed it into the woods. What frustrates me is that its movements were more feline than canine but its size was closer to that of a mid-sized dog. Coloring was more of a rust or fawn, whereas I tend to think of coyotes as grey (but there are probably a lot of variants).
Bandana Man
01-30-2003, 23:33
I heard several howls that sounded like coyotes but didn't see any. This happened at Sassafras Gap, GA, on Saturday evening, Apr. 7, 2001. Hammock-Hanger and 2 other hikers were there that night, too. I was in my tent writing in my journal when they started. Here's my entry:
"Suddenly, as I'm writing this journal, a high-pitched chorus of yips, yelps, and howls ring out in the night. Coyotes! In Georgia? The chorus lasts for over a minute, then as suddenly as it began the howls diminish and silence reigns in the night again. After a pause, I hear Sue let out a very long, 'Wow!'"
"'Okay, what was that?' I asked because I can't believe Georgia has coyotes. Sue confirms it really was several coyotes. It's the first time in my life I have heard coyotes in the wild. Please, dear God, do not let me hear any bears tonite (sic). Thank you. Amen"
MedicineMan
01-31-2003, 00:18
OK, I live within 2.5 miles of the AT (I'm in the shadow of Roan Mountain) and the caretaker of our property told us that this past October two calves were taken by coyote....so yes coyotes are near us. The caretaker also said that it is open season on them! Personally never seen one BUT when I do the fitness loop behind my house I have heard them and knew that they were following me on the walk (can you say Glock 21?).....
You guys like to talk about bears, coyotes, and such.....but does anyone here ever talk about squirrels? Nope. Have you seen one? Any horrifying stories to tell?
I've seen several squirrels. That's why I will never wear a kilt!
Kerosene
01-31-2003, 14:08
I did have a squirrel drop a nut on my head in northern Virginia a few years ago, and then s/he had the gall to screech at me too!
Virginian
02-09-2003, 22:56
I heard a lot of them, mostly in Maine. Hey Walessp the rabid one was killed in New Kent Co. are you from Richmond?
illininagel
02-09-2003, 23:27
Last night, my brother was telling me how dangerous coyotes can be. He talked about how they can overwhelm people that are along by approaching them in packs. He thought this should be a concern of a thu hiker.
In all the backpacking that I've ever done, coyotes are the least of my concerns. When I'm fortunate enough to see one, they always seem to want to get away from me as soon as possible.
I started doing some internet research on coyote "threats." I believe that I'm correct in saying that you would have a better chance getting hit by lightening than getting attacked by a coyote in the backcountry.
Originally posted by illininagel
I believe that I'm correct in saying that you would have a better chance getting hit by lightening than getting attacked by a coyote in the backcountry.
You are correct. If you encounter a coyote on the trail, consider yourself lucky to have seen this elusive animal.
BTW, as I post this, there is a radio piece on Coyotes invading Greenwich, CT and eating domestic animals. Poor Cathy Lee Gifford had her pooch eaten by a coyote.
It couldn't have happened to a nicer person. He he
RagingHampster
02-10-2003, 10:13
The one organism I really hate is the yellowjacket. Relentless sons of b*tches.
Some kid in Lowell, MA (a scummy suburb) was torn up by 2 coyotes. And that same night a woman was chased by one. It was all over the morning news a few weeks ago. havent heard anything about it since. Let 'em come. Coyote, bear, rabid chipmunk. A raginghampster will scare 'em all off!
SGT Rock
02-10-2003, 10:13
We had lots of coyotes in the field when I was out in El PAso. The never gave us problems at all. Some nights you could hear them only a few hundred feet away howling.
I've seen them in Kentucky and Louisiana. I've read that they are in every state. I think for the most part you are safe unless you are steaked to the ground covered in rended fat.
Redbeard
02-10-2003, 10:22
I've heard coyote packing stories too, I don't believe them. Wild dog's on the other hand... But heck, every farmers mutt will bite you on the rump if you give them a chance. The midwest is crawling with them, I have never heard of an attack, usually it's a coy-dog or a regular run off dog.
Appreciate all the inputs -- especially the ones about squirrels. That's one more critter I can start obsessing about!
peter2003
02-10-2003, 22:42
The Coyotes in Vermont are a cross between coyotes, wolves and domestic dogs; we often refer to the animals as coy dogs referencing the domestic dog in-breading. I have never seen a live coyote in the Vermont but have seen tons of coyote skins. I believe that a hunter with a license can shoot them any time of the year. They seen to keep to themselves, however, I believe that they chase down deer in the winter when the snow is deep.
Pete
SGT Rock
02-10-2003, 22:54
Most states let you hunt them whenever. Texas cattlemen still pay a bounty if I remember correctly.
I got an early start like I did most mornings, and came up over a hill and on a bend ahead of me saw a nice coyote coming around the corner. I slowly stepped behind a tree and he didn't seem me until he was just a little ways away. He whirled and ran back the way he came. It was pretty cool.
Coyotes aren't dangerous. Don't give it a thought. Any rabid animal can be dangerous, just stay out of the way of wacky acting animals of any sort. The "dangerous coyotes in packs" stories are total bull!
RagingHampster
02-17-2003, 11:45
Hav ya eva looked inta the eyes of one'them coy dogs... deep black balls of night they are. Teeth like knives. April 26th, 1969, 23 kids into the woods, sev'teen come out... Coyotes took the rest...
SGT Rock
02-17-2003, 11:54
Probably a good thing if the kids were beeing loud. The dogs just wanted some peace.
Coyotes can race down a domestic dog and kill it easily.
SGT Rock
02-17-2003, 12:54
And sometimes we even root for the coyotes.
Redbeard
02-17-2003, 16:54
Ever see Bob Peoples Irish Wolf Hound? Really nice dog, I tented in the backyard of the hostel with it, but it's big enough to eat a coyote.:p
Blue Jay
02-17-2003, 22:15
I always root for the Coyotes. After they eat the kids, they usually leave their food.
SGT Rock
02-17-2003, 22:26
The roadrunner should have been caught. Wille E. Coyote, Super Genius.
I was so proud of myself, all ready to start my "has anyone ever seen a coyote in the Appalachians" thread, only to find that it has been covered. Man, are these forums thorough. I have heard coyotes many times in Pisgah National Forest, but I have only seen them in Colorado. Any new sightings? This thread is a little old.
oldfivetango
03-12-2005, 12:31
Coyotes-they pack and are extremely dangerous to pets and likely
children as well.I think an old fat man like me can outclimb one though.
Wilddogs would also be a nuisance but they dont climb so good either.
Just one more argument for carrying some "gas"ie COUNTER ASSAULT:D
Cheers,
Oldfivetango
Nightwalker
03-12-2005, 13:52
Any one seen or reported contacts with coyotes on or near the AT? A rabid one was killed recently south of Richmond Va. See my post in Hygeine and Safety area.
Sky Rider
I saw one on the north side of Blood Mountain one night in March last year. I first thought it was a skinny mongrel dog, but after I looked for a few seconds, I got the big thrill of realizing that it was a coyote.
I talked quietly to him and he stayed 30 feet or so from me for a few seconds before he bolted. I'm not one of these guys who thinks that the outdoors is like a scene from Bambi (well maybe a couple of scenes), but I like to co-habit as much as is safe and possible with wildlife.
I have a ton of coyotes around my house and hear them all the time at night. Never ever seen one though. Too skiddish around humans.
Dances with Mice
03-12-2005, 17:36
I have a ton of coyotes around my house and hear them all the time at night. Never ever seen one though. Too skiddish around humans.
Ten years ago I never heard nor saw one in Georgia. About five years ago I was surprised to hear them near Blood Mtn. Now I'm sort of disappointed if I don't hear them at night in the mountains. And here in S. Forsyth my neighbor saw one recently, then soon after lost one of his young cats.
This may be a bit of an outdated sighting, but on our hike in 2001 BA Turtle and I had a coyote experience at Abol Bridge. The Abol Campground was closed when we got there so we crossed the road and found a spot down right down on the Pennobscott River. There was a picnic table and we noticed what looked like dog food but never gave it a second thought. I picked up the handful of nuggets and wurfed them out in the woods. As darkness fell and we started dinner at the table and heard rustling in the woods. Shined our lights in the direction of the noise and to our amazement ...there was a coyote. Never thought we'd ever see a coyote in Maine of all places. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I'd never have believed it !!
Maine has coyotes most every where, though wildlife people seem to think most have quite strong grey wolf bloodines. Last November one of the leaseholders on the new AMC land in Maine showed us the pelts of nine or so that he had trapped. There is an effort by some to reintroduce the grey wolf to Maine, but some wildlife specialists doubt if a pure wolf pack could be sustained given the many coyote-wolf combinations already around.
Wildlife specialists I've read and talked to seemed to think the dog influence is exaggerated. "Eastern" coyotes certainly tend to be bigger than their western relatives.
Weary
here in S. Forsyth my neighbor saw one recently, then soon after lost one of his young cats. Friend of mine sent me pictures of a coyote that was living in Buckhead until it got hit by a car. (For non-Atlantans, Buckhead is a very high density, ritzy section of Atlanta. Definitely not rural.)
http://www.peachtree-hills.org/coyotes.htm
Fiddleback
03-12-2005, 21:00
Interesting lineage in Maine. In the Rocky Mountain west, coyotes and wolves do not get along. Coyote population drops where wolves move in. In Yellowstone wolves are close to being considered a predator of coyotes. That being said, cross breeding apparently has occured in the east. Some think the red wolf is a timber wolf/coyote (prairie wolf) cross.
One reason for a larger eastern coyote may be food availability. I would bet there's much denser prey population/more protein available in the east. Similar size differences for similar reasons are seen between grizzlies here in the Northern Rockies and those in Alaska.
FB
Coyotes are on the rebound in PA. There are now more coyotes than black bears. After the black bear, eastern cyotes they are the largest predator in PA, growing to around 60 pounds. I have heard them on the trail in PA several times at night, at least I think they were coyotes. I do not think that they have ever attacked a person.
I live in Bucks county PA, not too far from the trail and sometimes we see them around here crossing fields in daytime.
Panzer
Fiddleback
03-12-2005, 23:15
My neighbors in Silver Spring, MD, adopted a stray 'dog' from the Pound in about 1962. He looked like a coyote, dug dens in the backyard, howled at night, and was always fearful of men (teens and up). Years later the storys started surfacing about the coyote's move East. I always thougt that, at the least, he was a cross.
FB
Since the breeding cycle of dogs and coyotes are not synchronized, there is probably not too much interbreading going on. The crossbreeds were probably coyotes or feral dogs.
Panzer
Interesting lineage in Maine. In the Rocky Mountain west, coyotes and wolves do not get along. Coyote population drops where wolves move in. In Yellowstone wolves are close to being considered a predator of coyotes. That being said, cross breeding apparently has occured in the east. Some think the red wolf is a timber wolf/coyote (prairie wolf) cross.
One reason for a larger eastern coyote may be food availability. I would bet there's much denser prey population/more protein available in the east. Similar size differences for similar reasons are seen between grizzlies here in the Northern Rockies and those in Alaska.
FB
I have a book around here someplace with papers from biologists discussing the complications of reintroducing the grey wolf. It's been a while since I've looked at it, but I think I remember it saying that the crossing with coyotes tends to occur when there are only a few wolves and large established coyote populations, which would be the case if a reintroduction should be attempted, and was increasingly the case as humans began systematically eliminating the wolf in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries.
Anyway, it says a pure wolf population is a pretty rare thing in the east these days, and that almost all eastern coyotes have a lot of wolf genes, and characteristics.
Weary
Nearly Normal
03-12-2005, 23:45
Coyotes have moved over the past fews years to all the southeastern states.
I have seen them on both I-16 and I-95 in the mediums.
I also saw one about 3 miles north of Nicholson Ford on the Foothills Trail.
They are known to interact and breed with dogs. They also can carry a tape worm that man can aquire.
People don't keep yard stock much anymore so do not kill off the "pest animals" as they once did.
Until recently we had not had armadillos here in the Sea Islands of South Carolina. They, like the fire ant have moved in.
I have always heard that "Possum on the half shell" or armadillos can carry leprosy.
pete56
Abol Bridge. First light. Me in the middle. Coyote in the road by the store. Now it scuttles/trots across the bridge. Had to be there, it made me smile.
oldfivetango
03-13-2005, 08:04
It was an unavoidable accident-ran over a coyote somewhere around
Cave Spring which is around the Ga/Ala line as i recall.Anyway,even though
it was 20 years ago-i still remember the sound the WINDSHIELD made as it
cracked when the bumper impacted MISTER COYOTE.Those lil buggars are
real solid and you dont want to mess with them.:D
Cheers,
Oldfivetango
Two Speed
03-13-2005, 08:31
I've seen a coyote on the Coosa Backcountry Trail a mile or so from Vogel State Park in Georgia. That would put this particular animal within two or three miles of the AT, not far from Blood Mountain. There's little doubt in my mind that we can safely add coyote to the list of wildlife that a hiker may see on the Appalachian Trail, along with bear, wild turkey, moose and deer.
I was standing on the platform at the Mt Peter Hawk Watch which is in New York. There is a blue blazed trail about 75' north of Route 17A - which is the first road crossing south of the Wildcat Shelter.
Anyway, I'm standing on the platform watching for migrating raptors when a coyote with the mange comes out of the woods about 30' away. He was a real scruffy looking fella - about 35 pounds. I stood stock still and the coyote didn't seem to be able to locate me with his eyes. He knew I was there though. He repeatedly started to walk closer, but would stop. He must have caught my scent.
After about 5 minutes the coyote turned around and headed back into the woods.
I had another interesting encounter in December '04. On the AL Pinhoti Trail - about 15 miles from Cave Spring GA (see Oldfivetango's note above) someone had killed a coyote and propped it up behind the root ball of a blow down. It scared the bejesus out of me! Here's a photo from my trailjournal. http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=75678
The critter had been dead only a day or two.
Happypappy
03-13-2005, 10:10
Here in Pennsylvania, we have a rather healthy population of these critters. I live at the base of the Blue Mt., about 5 minutes from the Rte. 501 shelter. The valley to the north is where I live and hunt, and there is a large pack living within a mile or so of this shelter. I haven't heard of any with rabies in quite some time, but it is always a possibility. These animals usually shy away from people, though, so if you see one, count it as another thing to see.
Critterman
03-14-2005, 23:56
Since the breeding cycle of dogs and coyotes are not synchronized, there is probably not too much interbreading going on. The crossbreeds were probably coyotes or feral dogs.
Panzer
Female dogs come in heat twice yearly on average but aren't synchronized with each other. In other words there is no " mating season " for dogs. I suspect a male dog sensing a female coyote in heat could not care less what time of year it is.
Since the breeding cycle of dogs and coyotes are not synchronized, there is probably not too much interbreading going on. The crossbreeds were probably coyotes or feral dogs.
PanzerThere is lots of interbreeding between coyotes and dogs going on in TN. Several Coydogs have been killed by hunters including me. We shot it several times before it died. Harder to kill than a deer for sure. Weighed over 50 pounds, and was identified by Tn Wildlife officer. They are quite dangerous if they loose their fear of humans.
halibut15
03-15-2005, 18:20
I haven't heard them on the AT, but close enough. The whole campground was freaked out @ Vogel State Park in GA earlier this winter (on the lower slopes of Blood Mtn.) by a weird yelping/howling noise. I thought at first it was some weird screech owl, but the more I think about it, it was probably a coyote.
Youngblood
03-15-2005, 18:28
We heard them routinely on the Pinhoti Trail in AL last december. From the scat distribution along the trail, I'm guessing there is some kind of coyote game where they divide up into teams and have a 'match this scat if you can' contest. Much of the trail was covered in leafs but the scat seemed to be on top of protruding rocks and such... at least no one complained that they stepped on any or uncovered any in the leafs.
Youngblood
I haven't heard them on the AT, but close enough. The whole campground was freaked out @ Vogel State Park in GA earlier this winter (on the lower slopes of Blood Mtn.) by a weird yelping/howling noise. I thought at first it was some weird screech owl, but the more I think about it, it was probably a coyote.
Screech Owls whistle. They don't yelp or howl. http://www.cheekwood.org/nature/audio/screech/screech.wav
I live about 1/2 mile from the AT in Loudoun County, Va and we have lots of coyotes around here as well. My neighbor has a herd of sheep and they are always sniffing around looking for a free meal - lamb chops :) . But they have not yet figured out the electric fence :confused:
They do seem a little bigger than the ones I saw growing up in Wyoming, but I don't think I have seen one that would reach 50 lbs. People are generally not very good at estimating the weights of animals (or people for that matter). Generally they always pick a number that is way too high. Compare them to the size ofyour average Whitetail doe which seldom weighs in at more than 120 lbs, usually less. It would be a giant coyote that was half that size. I think that some of this is due to people thinking of coyotes like they do the pet dogs that they are used to. They base their weight guess on the height of the animal vice its body mass. And since almost all domestic dogs are obese (funny how they are just like their owners) an inaccurate estimate is arrived at. Almost all wild animals are extraordinarily fit.
I have spent some time with wolves (at a research facility) and at first glance you would think that they are huge animals (they are very tall), but in reality most wolves are not much more than 100 lbs, some to 120. After all they run all day long. But what a 100 lbs it is! Power and reflexes to burn! Anyway drifting off topic I guess.
Wyo
walkin' wally
03-16-2005, 13:13
I have had several experiences with coyotes during my time in the Maine woods. Just last year my wife and I saw the largest "coyote" I have ever seen alive crossing the road just above the Grafton Notch parking area. This animal was very tall and was just in front of our vehicle and not going very fast. We had a good look at it, and to me it looked like the pictures I have seen of wolves with the more large, rounded head and gangly legs. It was light to dark gray in color.
A few weeks ago we had a coyote run across the road very close to the front of our vehicle just outside of Greenville above Monson. It was moving like a bullet. This animal was much smaller than the one at Grafton Notch. It had the usual yellowish-gray color. I have seen their color range from almost white to almost black.
In the early 70's an animal was killed at Johnson Mountain a few miles above Caratunk that weighed 67 pounds. For those of you that live out west I believe that the western coyote does not come close to that weight. Maine coyotes are usually much lighter than 67 pounds too.
One Maine outdoor writer years ago used to refer to Maine coyotes as brush wolves and believed they came from Quebec.
On the deer killing ability of coyotes I have seen where they have taken down deer and killed them in the deep snow, or sometimes on glare ice on lakes or ponds where the deer's legs will splay out from under them. More than one coyote with involved and the were tracks of deer and coyote that covered a smallish, somewhat circular area as the deer tried to get away. I won't go into any more graphic detail but it isn't a pretty picture. They are very efficient at what they do.
We hear them yelping and snarling at night in the winter near our camp. It sounds like a moving dogfight but they are actually hunting or chasing something at that point. You can go out the next day and pick up their tracks and sometimes find out what they were up to.
I have had several experiences with coyotes during my time in the Maine woods. Just last year my wife and I saw the largest "coyote" I have ever seen alive crossing the road just above the Grafton Notch parking area. This animal was very tall and was just in front of our vehicle and not going very fast. We had a good look at it, and to me it looked like the pictures I have seen of wolves with the more large, rounded head and gangly legs. It was light to dark gray in color.
Classic lupine behavior involves moving with the tail sticking straight out behind the animal. If you see that, you're probably on to a wolf. Coyotes don't generally do that.
Ive seen and heard lots of coyotes all over the country, but the 'closest' encounter I had with a few happened in Joshua Tree NP. I was camped alone in the middle of nowhere, and had heard them all night long. It sounded like groups were calling to other groups, locating stray 'friends', etc.. At times they called from very nearby.. (I love it when that happens) I woke up just as the sun was rising, still laying there in my bag getting ready to enjoy another spectacular J-Tree sunrise.. I had a vague feeling something was nearby and when i looked towards the foot of my bag there was a coyote standing there.. When i moved, he jumped into that 'ready position' like a dog getting ready to chase a ball. I expected him to run right after that, but he just kinda stood there checking me out. So i just layed there, and we watched each other for a bit. His right ear twitched off to the side and one of his buddies came jogging into camp from the direction his ear pointed. Then they both trotted off and vanished.. After the sunrise 'show' was over, i went and checked out their tracks and found tons of them all around and thru my camp. What an excellent morning. Ive never felt threatened in the slightest by coyotes. They seem more curious than anything else..
Kangaroo rats on the other hand are bloodthirsty, vicious creatures, and should be feared by all. They are the only reason I carry golf clubs when i hike in the desert. Ah yes, Kangaroo-rat golf. Just one more joy to be found in desert camping...
MicahDawgNC
03-26-2005, 00:14
I had my first coyote experience in the Eastern US last night at Max Patch.
Around 9pm they began to howl incessantly for what seemed like several minutes. It was quite unnerving at the time, but still wonderful to hear.
It is kinda funny I have lived in the west for 6 years now. I just saw my first coyote, and it had 3 legs.
ferryman
04-07-2005, 14:15
Although I have never been chased by coyotes, I have heard many a hiker story of close encounters with them while hiking through the big woods of Maine. One hiker relayed the event on a solo southbound in late June. He decided to pass up a shelter one late afternoon and found himself in darkness some 3 or 4 miles from the next shelter. The distant howl came closer with every step and having hiked a considerable distance, he started to stumble from the exertion. The sound of a wounded animal or hiker in this instance is all a coyote needs to hear. I asked him what happened next. "Well" he said "I finally made it to the shelter and fell asleep." It would be unusual not to hear coyotes here in Maine especially after dark. Generally speaking, coyotes, like most wild animals, want nothing to do with humans except escape with their food bag.
Hotfoot_1
04-07-2005, 18:11
Heard a coyote howl Monday night (April 4) at Hawk Mtn Shelter. Last summer I was at Cheese factory just before Tray Mtn and heard one so close to the tent it was spooky.
saimyoji
04-07-2005, 19:01
Saw a coyote take down a wild turkey at my aunt's house in Souderton, PA. She says she hears em a few times a week.
"The dingo ate your baby!"
A seventy-six year old guy wrestled one to the ground in the next town over from where I live, inorder to protect his grandson after it attacked.
I figure if he can handle one so effectively at his age, then there is nothing to worry about. So long as there is only one, anyway. :-)
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=105779
Edit: I put in a smile face after my final comment. Clearly this attack was the exception to the rule, but this is a good reminder that anything with teeth needs to be respected. My guess is that they discover that the animal was rabid. The grandfather was really cool about the whole thing when interviewed on local radio and TV.
I watched a coyote chase a little bird once into a train tunnel. Here's the thing...The train hit the coyote and the coyote got right back up and ran off. Then, later, the same coyote fell off a cliff and lived through it!
Did I mention what happened when the coyote strapped a rocket to his back?
Fiddleback
10-10-2005, 10:41
Neighbors of ours in Silver Spring, MD adopted a 'dog' from the pound. It was the size of a coyote and had the tawny color common to coyotes. The dog would howl at night and dug a den in the back yard. While it got along with the Mother and daughters, it never warmed up to the Father and was otherwise afraid of, and avoided, men and adolescent boys. There was little doubt in our minds that the 'dog' had an interesting lineage.
This all happened in 1962.
FB
I rarely go camping in GA that I don't hear coyotes. They're everywhere down here.
Much of the trail was covered in leafs but the scat seemed to be on top of protruding rocks and such...
YoungbloodI have always heard that this was a habit of foxes, to take a dump on top of things (stumps, logs, etc.) rather than directly on the ground. Not sure that there's any validity to this, but I've seen scat in the woods that appeared smallish and was on stumps, so I assumed it was a fox.
This past spring we had a coyote routinely visit our suburban office building the first thing in the morning and leave us a nice present on the sidewalk. If you were the first one into the parking lot at daybreak you'd see him hanging around. Naturally, people freaked at a "dangerous animal" in the parking lot, so management called animal control and that was that for my little friend.
"Much of the trail was covered in leafs but the scat seemed to be on top of protruding rocks and such..."
If it's only coyotes that do this, they really are everywhere. I've noticed this critter "habit" (scat deposited on rocks) from MD to near the Smokies.
Nightwalker
10-17-2005, 11:49
I rarely go camping in GA that I don't hear coyotes. They're everywhere down here.
They seem to really hang out near Blood Mtn. Both sides of Neel's Gap. I saw one in '04, and "talked" to some last Wednesday night.
:)
icemanat95
10-17-2005, 12:49
Lots of critters do this.
In my back field there are a number of spots where the bedrock/ledge comes up through the grass. The skunks and raccoons often use these bits of rock as latrines. It's marking behavior. Most animals have anal glands that release a particular scent (not associated with decomposing waste) when they defecate. They are letting anything that comes along know that "this is mine," and perhaps setting out a calling call to members of the opposite sex inviting them to propogate the species. Deer do this as well. Doe urine contains hormones that tell the males that they are in season. Males scrape leaves off the earth along their territorial paths and urinate over the scent glands in the "elbows" of their hind legs, leaving a calling card for the does and a warning to competing bucks.
Scent plays a huge role in the social life of animals. Humans as well, but we aren't as cognizent of the fact. We've got a lot of other tools to use for communication, animals rely on what they have.
The Coyote Problem In Virginia Has Gotten So Bad That Augusta County Just Put A $75.00 Bounty On Them. One Lady Lost 40 Lambs Last Spring. I Think The Biggest Fear Though Is A Rabid Animal. Keep Your Eyes Out.
If you really got something against coyotes, move to Nevada.
I camped all summer west of Hawthorne back in 2000, and every Saturday night the locals would get in a highly modified pickup truck with a swivel gun mount in the back (think third world warlords) and drive fast down empty back roads, blaring Metallica and shooting coyotes, signs, and any other moving thing.
Metallica would be proud.
Sorry but I have to write this here. I've never hiked the "trail", as it's only a dream I can pray will happen some day, but I did have an encounter with two coyotes that scared the begezus outta me.
I was hiking a rather large island for the week by myself, and when i arrived i was told only about 20 people total were on this island this week. I had hiked this island 2 times prior and always seen coyote tracks at the beach and dropping pretty much all over the place.
One morning I heard alot of barking and basicly just sat there in my tent enjoying it.
The next night, just before nightfall, I was going through my bag of food (Sealed tried food in a water tight bag) and as i was going through it, i heard something behind me as I was sitting down, I turned my head around slowly to look behind me and there was two coyote's about 20 feet behind me.
Now, I've never seen a coyote before in real life. but when I turned around those two coyotees looked like they were on the hunt. They were crouched down and they reminded me of a cat ready to pounce on a mouse.
Fearing for my saftey I jumped out of my skin and raised my hands and "ROARED!!!!" as loud as I could!
They took off so fast I almost felt sorry for them lol..
Still though, I didnt sleep well that night.
Thanks for allowing me to share.
Strangely 6 weeks after my return, i adopted an sick dog with the help of a rescue orginization. He kinda reminds me of a coyote in a way, tell me what you think:
http://www.husko.net/csharp/Tacoda/Photos/tabid/60/Default.aspx
the last couple of years the reports of people's pet cats & small dogs (plus rabbits kept outside) being attacked and killed by coyotes has gone up here in CT - I don't know what the exact numbers are but a lot of animal rescue folks are aware of the problem.
Nightwalker
10-26-2005, 11:32
Strangely 6 weeks after my return, i adopted an sick dog with the help of a rescue orginization. He kinda reminds me of a coyote in a way, tell me what you think:
Man, he's a great-looking dog. Looks full of personality, to say the least.
:)
Nightwalker
10-26-2005, 11:35
Since the breeding cycle of dogs and coyotes are not synchronized, there is probably not too much interbreading going on. The crossbreeds were probably coyotes or feral dogs.
Panzer
Think about this a minute. Males of either species will haapily and enthusiastically breed with the females any time that they are in heat. No synchronization required!
We had lots of coyotes around when we lived in western KY. We could hear them at night, but saw them rarely. They mostly frequented river bottom areas, and we could hear them more often when we camped near rivers and creeks.
One of the few times I actually saw a coyote was at the farm of some friends. Their house is near a large creek and one of the nearby coyotes developed a taste for fresh chicken. Our friends locked up their chickens at night to protect them. The coyote started brazenly walking up in mid-morning to get his brunch. He was a fat, sleek beast with a glossy coat a show dog would envy.
Coyotes ... will I can tell you that if you ever find yourself lost off the trail in far western KY 500 miles from the AT. You will hear 100's of them at night and many packs all around you, I've been around them all my life and when they get to howling and yipping all around you while out in the woods at night ... the bravest man well get a shiver. And I know they are as the saying goes more afraid of me then I am of them. But trust me you hear about 100 or so of them all around you howling the hair on the back of you neck will stand up.
i love listening coyotes yip and howl at night:cool: neo
The Desperado
01-22-2006, 00:04
Lots of them in NJ, you just rarely see em....they are frequently heard though..
minnesotasmith
01-22-2006, 03:13
You guys like to talk about bears, coyotes, and such.....but does anyone here ever talk about squirrels? Nope. Have you seen one? Any horrifying stories to tell?
http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/stevens-ray/miss-squirrel-revival-1792.html:D
G.I. JOE
01-24-2006, 15:16
They're all over NH. Most towns have a bounty on there pelts. They make coversation pieces stuffed by the fire place.
Dances with Mice
01-24-2006, 15:29
You are aware that squirrels are allied with Sports Jugglers in their quest for World Domination, aren't you?
http://www.scarysquirrel.org/
Most states let you hunt them whenever. Texas cattlemen still pay a bounty if I remember correctly.
Every hunter I know kills them without a second thought - particulary around chicken houses. They don't die, they just multiply...There real hard to get rid of.
Now a good point. If you can find a den early in the spring (they are hard to find) take one of the pups if it doesn't have it's eyes open. If the eyes are opened forget it. Raise it as you would a regular dog. A little trouble for a week or 2 till it can eat on its own.They make as faithful a pet as any dog you could want. Downside is you can't have a cat or any other small animal around them, seems they never loose the hunting instinct. Also they will dig a hole in the yard for a den, even if you keep them in the house.
in october, there was a coyote hanging out in front of spence field shelter in the smokies. he just looked at me, didn't seem afraid at all and came back a coupla times.
The Cheat
01-24-2006, 20:34
About 50 feet from Dover Oak last week found a deer carcass amongst alot of dog or coyote tracks in the snow. I can't tell the difference.
Hikes in Rain
01-25-2006, 10:20
Back in October, went for a very short hike up the trail at Twentymile (a new area for me). Just an up-and-back, about an hour total. Just before the horse corral, a coyote just ghosted across the trail about ten feet in front of me and vanished into thin air (it seemed). Couldn't even bother to glance in my direction.
I'd thought perhaps a wolf, as I know they've been reintroduced in the Smokies, but I think coyote, based on what I read here. Ether way, resulted in a couple of minutes of open-mouth, brain-shut-off, bugeyed nonaction on my part!
We have coyotes here in NJ! They killed a rabid one at Yards Creek Scout Camp just down the ridge from Sunfish Pond last year. They never bother people.
We have lots of bears too but they are all a bunch of bums, just want your food. They could care a less about people unless you get between a mama and her cubs. Most shelters have bearboxes for your food.
Coyotes live in my backyard in CT - about 15 miles from the trail.
UCONNMike
01-26-2006, 21:23
Any one seen or reported contacts with coyotes on or near the AT? A rabid one was killed recently south of Richmond Va. See my post in Hygeine and Safety area.
Sky Rider
I was followed by a group of 3 coyotes heading south out of Harpers Ferry, WV in early September of last year. They would get in front of me then fan out around me than all go to my rear, and follow me as I walked. This happened for approx 7 miles until I got to the road right before Bear's Den Hostel. Now, the was during the hours of 11:30pm and 2:00am as I was doing some night hiking to catch up to the JHP. It was absolutly terrifying and I wouldn't wish the experience on anyone, I had never been so scared..I mean talk about second guessing what you are doing: tryign to do a 20 mile hike and starting it at 8 o'clock at night and be followed by some coyotes for 7 miles. So everyone be careful, and don't hiek at night :)
CaptChaos
01-26-2006, 21:33
I have never seen the coyotes in person but I have heard them on more than one trip at night. Once at Russell Fields a group of them started crying on the left and they were answered by another group in the distance to the right and then both went at it singing for about 5 min and then it quit and then silence.
Only heard them twice in 8 years of backpacking in the park.
LuTotten
02-07-2006, 16:42
I almost ran one over near helen, Ga (unicoi gap area)
KirkMcquest
02-07-2006, 17:41
I was followed by a group of 3 coyotes heading south out of Harpers Ferry, WV in early September of last year. They would get in front of me then fan out around me than all go to my rear, and follow me as I walked. This happened for approx 7 miles until I got to the road right before Bear's Den Hostel. Now, the was during the hours of 11:30pm and 2:00am as I was doing some night hiking to catch up to the JHP. It was absolutly terrifying and I wouldn't wish the experience on anyone, I had never been so scared..I mean talk about second guessing what you are doing: tryign to do a 20 mile hike and starting it at 8 o'clock at night and be followed by some coyotes for 7 miles. So everyone be careful, and don't hiek at night :)
Mike coyotes are harmless to an adult ( even a regular sized 10 year old), they were probably hoping you would drop some food or feed them. They are curious and intelligent, in AZ they've followed me ona hike I was enjoying there company
Tim Rich
02-07-2006, 18:17
Mike coyotes are harmless to an adult ( even a regular sized 10 year old), they were probably hoping you would drop some food or feed them. They are curious and intelligent, in AZ they've followed me ona hike I was enjoying there company
The transition of these animals' behavior, and their explosive growth, over the past decade makes past experience suspect. Of 160 coyote attacks in California over the past 30 years, almost 100 have occurred in the past ten years. According to some experts, New York is poised for a similar increase:
"At Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, wildlife biologist Paul Curtis and his team are beginning a five-year study of coyote ecology and behavior, funded in part by the state's DEC.
"The goal of the project is to look at changes in both coyote and human behavior that may be leading to more conflicts and complaints," Curtis said.
New York DEC officials estimate that 20,000 to 30,000 coyotes live in the state.
Curtis describes a progression of behavior in so-called problem coyote areas. First, the generally reclusive animals are increasingly spotted in daylight hours. Next, pets begin to vanish from yards and are even snatched off leashes by coyotes.
"That's the last stage before a human attack," Curtis said. "And we're at that stage in New York now." New York wildlife officials hope to head off such conflicts before a serious attack or death occurs.
Billygoatbritt
02-07-2006, 20:13
I have only seen two coyotes since I started my section hike in 2001. The first time was just north of Hot Springs, NC as he was trotting down the hill. As soon as he noticed me he bolted in the opposite direction at full throttle. The second time was just south of Roan Mountain. That one was chasing a Doe down the side of the mountain directly at me. Once again, just as soon as he saw me he gave up the chase and dashed away very quickly. I was not scared either time, but I was startled at the commotion coming through the bush in my direction not knowing what it was until it was right upon me.:)
KirkMcquest
02-07-2006, 21:30
The transition of these animals' behavior, and their explosive growth, over the past decade makes past experience suspect. Of 160 coyote attacks in California over the past 30 years, almost 100 have occurred in the past ten years. According to some experts, New York is poised for a similar increase:
"At Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, wildlife biologist Paul Curtis and his team are beginning a five-year study of coyote ecology and behavior, funded in part by the state's DEC.
"The goal of the project is to look at changes in both coyote and human behavior that may be leading to more conflicts and complaints," Curtis said.
New York DEC officials estimate that 20,000 to 30,000 coyotes live in
Curtis describes a progression of behavior in so-called problem coyote areas. First, the generally reclusive animals are increasingly spotted in daylight hours. Next, pets begin to vanish from yards and are even snatched off leashes by coyotes.
"That's the last stage before a human attack," Curtis said. "And we're at that stage in New York now." New York wildlife officials hope to head off such conflicts before a serious attack or death occurs.
Was not aware they were a physical threat to humans. In AZ they are EVERYWHERE and I've never heard anyone express concern for there own safety. The only complaints I've heard were coyotes getting into garbage and snacking on local pets. These things tend to get blown up, and the animals get villanized.
I had a coyote run in front of my car this evening on my way home. It probably weighed no more than 30 pounds. I watched him for a few minutes and then he took off. Nice.
icemanat95
02-07-2006, 22:05
I started doing some internet research on coyote "threats." I believe that I'm correct in saying that you would have a better chance getting hit by lightening than getting attacked by a coyote in the backcountry.
Considering that I've had real close calls with lighting twice on the trail and once in my yard, I'd say you are dead on right.
coyotes don't scare me much. Camping one night about 10 years ago at Lafayette campground prior to a backpacking trip, a pack of coyotes (lots of juveniles) raced around and through the area for about an hour during the night. No problems with them, no damage, just some exuberrant noise.
Now there have been more cougar sightings in the Northeast in recent years...that concerns me a bit.
gsmnpmtguyot
02-08-2006, 02:49
Coyotes are omnipresent in TN NC, backcountry to urban, have been for 20 years. They eat cats given a chance. Fall 05 in Asheville NC, a coyote attacked a lawn care worker operating a leaf blower, biting him on the nose. Was the worker teasing the critter, was the critter rabid? Don't know, didn't see a follow up article (in the Asheville paper). So leave your leaf blower at home. They will steal your food! Hang it high and do not, under any circumstances, leave your pack unattended. They do sound cool at night.
Linus, Timshel, JKA, and I had a pack pass our campsite in Northern TN this summer. Many can those guys make racket. It was like 2 in the morning and it scared the hell out of me. They left us alone though. They're pretty shy
My intern took this photo last week on Lookout Mountain just outside Chattanooga. It appears to be a large and healthy coyote, significantly larger than the one I saw yesterday. It is a possible hybrid of one sort or another according to a specialist from the USF&WS at the Red Wolf recovery project on Bull Island.
LuTotten
02-08-2006, 11:11
Something else many of you may not realize, Animals can carry rabies without actually being rabid. Coyotes, bobcats, foxes, racoons, skunks, and bats, are all considered rabies vector species. Just some general info on rabies that came from one of my books.
At its highest level rabies is present in about 5% of the population of species that can carry rabies....Few mammals become agressive, most retreat and die.....It is a viral disease and all warm blooded animals are suceptible. Bats and skunks are asymptomatic carriers of rabies....Incubation from time of exposure varies from 10 days to 6 months, with cases of over a year.
Just thought it might be helpful to educate everyone better about it. BTW I used to volunteer for a wildlife rehabber so anything I don't know right off hand I can easily find out.
Here in Southern Illinois I see coyotes all the time. I've worked a lot in the Chicago area also, and have seen them come out even in the ritziest parts of town. If there is any cover whatsoever for them to live in, they will adapt to any human presence. They won't bother you and aren't worth worrying about.
LostInSpace
02-08-2006, 21:07
You guys like to talk about bears, coyotes, and such.....but does anyone here ever talk about squirrels? Nope. Have you seen one? Any horrifying stories to tell?
Yes, I dated a squirrel for a while. She was cunningly unforthcoming and reticent about everything; no telling what was in her mind. It was terrible. Shooting her was illegal, so I did the only manly thing I could think of ... I ran like hell!
I'm not sure what squirrels have to do with coyotes though, or bares for tha matter. :D
carolinahiker
02-09-2006, 14:52
Not on the AT but i saw a coyote standing on the side of highway 385 going in to greenville sc one night as i was headed home form work late , he was nice and fat soon as i passed he trotted across the road over the barrier across the imbound lanes and into the woods totally urbanized.
carolinahiker
02-09-2006, 14:55
You think after awhile the coyote would stop buying acme products to chase the road runner. he always get blown up or some crap lol.
hal0ofwint3r
04-05-2010, 14:31
i know someone is going to yell at me for this one, because i'm mentioning my encounter on a different trail and the question is if anyone has had any encounters with coyotes on or near the AT. i thought i'd like to share it anyway, since it is still an encounter. i was on the golden eagle trail in PA last summer. i was packing up my things(and yes, i bear bag my food far away from camp), when a coyote meandered close to my camp site. he was about fifteen feet away when he stopped. instead of taking off, he just hung around for several minutes, walking into some thick brush. i got my bear mace ready, but kept on packing my things while keeping an eye on him. it was my first encounter, so i didn't even think about getting the camera out, because i was in "i can't believe this is happening mode", because something like this usually doesn't happen, so i wasn't even thinking about the camera. he didn't even dart when he left. when i left, i hiked down the trail and i ran into fresh bear poop on top of the mountain. it's a flat, wide grassy open area where vehicles come from a different location to do trail and lookout maintainence. about five minutes after i ran into the bear poop, i ran into another coyote, sitting in the edge of the wood line. this was my second encounter in under an hour, and again i was in "this is awesome, i can't believe i'm seeing this" mode, because he was only about twenty feet away, and he was laying down in the brush. but this time when i wanted to get a shot of him, he got up and went into some brush another twenty or so feet back and just stood there looking at me. i still could have got a shot but you would of hardly noticed it because it was really thick. other than that, i hear coyotes near the AT on almost every trip, and on other trails in northern PA on every trip. i don't consider myself being lucky to see one. why? there are so many coyotes in northern PA. but i am surprised by the first encounter because instead of running into one, one ran into me. maybe he was curious and wanted to check me out. and i don't think it is sheer luck for others to be able to run into them or see one. especially in northern PA. there are a lot of them, and if you happen to be at the right place at the right time, you just might see one. spend some time up there, and you'll definitely hear them a lot. you'll hear packs of coyotes going crazy before it gets dark and even after the sun comes up in the morning. i still heard a pack at 9 in the morning on that trip. and as far as horrifying squirrel encounters? i had a baby squirrel jump on my shoe in d.c. it then proceeded to pee on me.