Coyote problems?

D

Deja vu

New member
a few days ago I was out sighting in my snub nose 357 magnum. After about 15 min of shooting I saw a Coyote about 50 yards away from me it appeared to be chasing a mouse or ground squirl. I thought it was odd that the gun report did not seem to scare it away.

So I went back to shooting but still keeping an eye on the coyote. Suddenly I got a weird feeling and looked around and saw the Coyote about 10 yards behind me hunched down like it was stocking me. Needless to say I shot it.

After shooting it I went in with a stick to inspect it and it looked like its front left side paw had some kind of problems because it was all chewed up (not from my shot that hit it in the head and the upper back) may be from a trap or another animal?

all the Coyotes I have ever shot have been extremely skittish and would run the other way at the first report from any fire arm (much more from my extremely loud snub nose) but I am pretty sure this coyote was going to take me on. I'm not use to seeing injured or sick animals... I reported it to the local fish and game and they said they would test it out for rabies.
 
How rural is it where you are?
I am in a suburban setting, but have about 40 or so acres of wooded land adjacent to my property. I have seen some very skittish coyotes, but I have also seen some (1 female in particular that stays in the area every spring to have her litter) that will just look at you from the edge of the yard 20 yds from my back door, then slowly walk away like they can't be bothered to run.
Hopefully I'll finally get her this spring while she's watching the geese on the pond.
 
I say you did the right thing shooting it, even one that is around humans a lot shouldn't be approaching you like that if something isn't wrong. I would guess rabies too.
 
The injured foot wouldn't cause it, I'm sure. I once called in a coyote that was missing it's entire right back leg, and it was getting along just fine. I was calling with my dad, and he shot it at about 10 yards.

My guess is either rabies, or it was too used to humans. I've seen them in the area where I live here on the outskirts of town, and they don't pay much attention to people. No one shoots at them due to the proximity to other people, so they lose their fear.

Please let us know what the game & fish dept says.

Daryl
 
Coyotes loose the fear of people if they aren't actively hunted. (example, the get closer to civilization in Southern California then Wyoming).

Not often are you gonna get a coyote within pistol range out here. I did get a fox coming out of my chicken house with a 642 once though.

I do have a hill side in front of my house they like to use as a path way. Its ranged between 175 & 300 yards. I keep my Ruger #1 in 204 or Rem 700 Var. 223 handy and have gotten several over the years by just sticking the snout of the rifle out the front door and letting 'er rip.

Neighbors have a female dog and it appears the coyotes are trying to lure it out. Makes for some fun shooting.

Some reason they just don't get close to my house.
 
That is strange, rabies is a possibility. Or sometimes in rural areas they lose their fear of people to a certain degree. If you think it was coming after you though I'd guess rabies is pretty likely. Let us know if you hear nack from game and fish about it.

Also nice shot!
 
Was it stumbling around like a drunk? All my experience with rabid animals is that they kind of stumble around move slower than healthy animals.
 
Well they will perhaps have no fear of being in the general vicinity of people, but 10 yards behind you while your shooting your snubby 357? I gotto call BS on this one. And how do you "sight in" a snubby .357?
 
sorry its been a while... I can understand you calling the BS meter buts its true, as for sighting it in, I use a crimson trace

p.s. I never heard back from fish and game.
 
I believe the story dejavu but the hard part for me is fish&game not calling back?? I guess its possible it got lost in the shuffle somehow depending on where you're at but thats odd. give them another call
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top