Sprawl v. Interaction
Insty points out that coyotes, bobcats and other critters that don’t ordinarily come around humans are now living near people. The WSJ says it’s due to sprawl. It is not due to sprawl. I live out in the country and coyotes have never been a problem except in the last six months. Now, we hear them at night and some neighbors say they’ve seen them. And we’re not exactly a sprawling metropolis. The reason they come around is because they are not chased off nor are they shot on sight.
My neighbors have said it frightens them and they fear for children or pets. I say to them shoot the damn things. Kill a couple and the rest will learn not to come around. I have heard them in the distance but never seen any. If I did, I’d shoot them. The reason I never see them near my land and the field behind my house is probably due to Politically Incorrect Dog. My neighbors with no dogs and small dogs don’t seem to be as lucky.
June 6th, 2006 at 9:19 am
We saw coyotes over in Royal Oaks and we’ve seen one over here in Alcoa where we live now, less than half a mile from 129. He was just on the other side of the fence in our back yard.
June 6th, 2006 at 10:32 am
.223 is a perfect round for such critters.
June 6th, 2006 at 10:35 am
We’ve seen coyotes in our back yard as well. And yet my wife wonders why I slip the 360 into my pocket when I’m taking the kids out to play…
June 6th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
And yet my wife wonders why I slip the 360 into my pocket when I’m taking the kids out to play…
360?
June 6th, 2006 at 3:01 pm
Smith & Wesson model 360PD. J-frame revolver. 5 shots of 158 grain jacketed-hollowpoint .357 Magnum goodness in a 12 ounce package.
June 6th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
We’ve observed the same phenomenon around my home. My house hasn’t “Sprawled” appreciably in the past 20 years, but the instances of coyotes and cats coming into the neighborhood after pets and garbage has gone up a lot. Luckily, one or two rounds of .22 in the evening air don’t attract much attention, and the “shoot, shovel, shut up” method works wonders. Unfortunately, the guy who breeds chihuahua dogs at the bottom of my street provides ample reason for coyotes to come in, even as I discourage them.
June 7th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Josh: Finally, a use for Chihuohuas. Coyote bait.