Scary Experience, Advice Needed

The coyote attack in canada was done on a petite female teenager who was all alone.

I seriously doubt those coyotes would attack a grown man, even if you didn't have a firearm and if they did, I seriously doubt they would be able to kill you.
 
I'm married to a wolf fanatic and know a couple of experts on them. I've spent many hours observing them from short distances and have had wolf pups crawling around on me and licking my face.

That said, I wouldn't go bow hunting in predator territory without a high-powered, high capacity handgun.

To deter them, just make them think you're not an easy meal. I doubt they were "stalking" you anyway, more likely just curious, though that doesn't make it any less creepy. Wave your arms around, yell, throw whatever's at hand at them. They'll scatter. Better yet, get a small airhorn. A couple blasts from on of those should send them on their way. Bear spray is also a good idea.
 
I seriously doubt those coyotes would attack a grown man, even if you didn't have a firearm and if they did, I seriously doubt they would be able to kill you.
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I don't know about you, but I would consider myself pretty much SOL if I was being attacked by a pack of coyotes with guns.
 
"That said, I wouldn't go bow hunting in predator territory without a high-powered, high capacity handgun."

As ideal as that sounds, I think those two descriptors are mutually exclusive when it comes to picking a handgun for tromping around the woods. If you settle for popular automatic calibers, you can get high capacity. If you go for a caliber with decent animal stopping power (.44 mag on up), you're limited to 5 or 6 shots. There are a few automatics that can shoot powerful calibers, but they tend to be very heavy & expensive.

Wolves deserve respect, but 1) they're not very big and 2) in my experience, they're usually skittish. They will be aware of you & running away quite a while before you know they're there, usually. I think they're worth carrying a revolver in .357 magnum.

Wild dogs are another story... I've come across a few packs, and they don't seem to fear humans. Then the more bullets you have, the better.

Edit: I forgot to answer the OP. :D When I go hiking around SE Alaska in areas that *don't* have bears, I like to pack a 4" Smith model 65 or 4" Colt Python. If there are bears, I might pack a 6" Smith model 629 (the one with the lighter partial lug) and a can of bear spray. It works out pretty well. When I hike around western WA, my favorite system is a Smith 642 paired with bear spray. I try to pack whatever seems appropriate.
 
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I can remember not to long ago when California officials talked about Mountain Lions being shy reclusive animals that would never deliberately attack a man. For centuries when these large predators encountered men they learned to fear them because the men were armed. This is not the case today. If I am in wolf country, two or four legged, I will be armed.
 
Well, remember.... the chances of a wolf attacking a man, is different than the chances of attacking a woman. Won't go into the reasons for it if you don't know.

But, I am more leary of Coyotes, and been around them all my life. In many areas I"m at, it's suspected that over the years they have inter-bred with wild dogs.... from people dumping dogs, etc. in the country. I've ran into some wild dogs, and they immediately began circling me and went on attack. I have seen aggressive coyotes and even chasing people. I have never seen a wolf do any of the above. That's been my experience.

However, I'm with you.... if you are out where there's predators, being armed is a good thing.
 
From North American Wolves to African Lions.

I am surprised that your research didn’t uncover the confirmed case of a wolf attack/death in Canada this year of a young country singer ( I think it was this year – getting old). Plus, I tend to forget about the whole rabies thing too. Like I said; awesome post, thanks.
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You're welcome, Ice Monkey, and thanks for the compliment. My search was kind of random (as most of mine are on the internet). I would have imagined I would have caught the attack, even though a coyote.

I was in a museum (can’t remember which one), that had two stuffed lions that (again – memory and facts) I think killed something like 80 people in Africa!
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They made a movie in 1996 starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer. The two lions made quite a story at the time, though the facts in 1898 travelling from Africa to England probably got a bit stretched at the time, and the movie took further liberties. Not that they had to. The true facts are amazing enough without embellishment.

This web site (freebase.com/view/en/the_ghost_and_the_darkness) tells some of the story and links to wikipedia at (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=515151)

The Ghost and the Darkness is a 1996 thriller about the Tsavo maneaters, two lions who attacked the builders of the Uganda-Mombasa Railway in 1898, killing about 135 of them, and the subsequent hunt to kill them. The attacks, which took place in Tsavo, Kenya, were recounted by Lieutenant Colonel John Henry Patterson in his book The Man-Eaters of Tsavo. The film, although based loosely on Patterson's account, romanticises his story and fictionalises...

"The film ends with a narration by Samuel, where he says the lions are now on display at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois and that even today "if you dare lock eyes with them, you will be afraid." They may well have moved the mounts to D.C.

The number of dead railroad workers are counted at 35 or 135 or anywhere in between, depending on whose reports or research you choose to believe. Probably some of those counted as dead may have just run away. Or some of those killed may have never been counted.

Decent movie, though. I particularly like the Howdah pistol Douglas carried. I want one of those chambered in 500 Nitro Express but configured as an over-under. Or maybe just 45-70 or .500 S&W.

Lost Sheep
 
Scary Experience...more info.

Well, my original post has prompted more replies than I expected. Thank you all for the gun/caliber suggestions. Your replies created a fun learning experience for me. Over the last few days I've had a chance to check-out the Ruger SP101, GP100, the S&W 686, 629 and M19/M66. I guess I'm leaning towards a revolver, partly because I don't have a DA revolver at this time and I already have an auto (the 1911). I like the 629 because the .44 is enough gun for anything in the woods. I don't like that it's on the heavy side. The 686 is a little lighter, but not much and both it and the 629 are spendy. I'm figuring that I'll have the gun on my belt every day I'm in the woods, but most likely seldom need it so I'm really trying to end up with something fairly light. I don't know how many of you guys hunt, but with me, my daypack usually has more weight in it than I'd like, plus I'm carrying my bow or a 10 pound rifle and I've got a knife on my belt along with 10 rifle bullets. Add my binoculars around my neck and I feel over loaded before I even leave camp, but that's the way it always is. So I'm really conscious about hanging another 40 ounces worth of handgun (plus a few extra rounds) on my belt.
I liked both the Rugers except with the GP100, I had a hard time reaching the hammer with my thumb without shifting from my shooting grip position. The SP101 felt great in my hand. I'd like to shoot one to see what it's like. I like both the M19 and M66. They feel good size wise in my hand and are on the smaller size in weight. I like the fact that they are an older model that is considered to be a well made, well functioning gun. I went to a gun show last weekend and found several, a couple also in our local paper and one at a pawn shop, so it seems they are not to hard to find and affordable. I haven't made a decision yet so I'm gonna stop by our local indoor shooting range tomorrow to see if they've got any of these guns I can shoot. Thanks again for all of your input, this is a great site. I'm in Northern Idaho if anyone cares, and yes, we can carry a sidearm during archery season. Oh...if you have any interest in the wolf reintroduction situation, check-out www.saveelk.com and click on the "slide show". It's narrated so turn on your speakers...very informative.
 
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I heard a story from around here that two guys were dragging a deer out in the dark, and a pack of coyote's closed in on them. None actually closed and attacked (?) but the story goes they were close and persistent.

Guy produced a hicap auto and would shoot every so often, but the coys never actually did quit messing with them, till they got close the road and the truck. Again this is total heresay.

My state WCO's take a dim view of a bowhunter carrying any firearm. That said, I've got some handgun on board anytime I'm away from the house. ( and sometimes when I'm not)

Having walked for some time next to a SW 686, I can tell you they ARE a HEAVY pistol. I'm thinking an empty 4" goes 39 oz/s.

The Glock autos start to make sense for this sort of thing. Hi Cap, nearly industructible, almost maintenance free. Flat, easy to pack or holster carry. There's 10mm if you think you need it, 9mm on the other end if you don't, .40 in the middle.

That should handle any predator you encounter, regarless of the # of legs they have!!!!!!!!
 
I say it just proves that you should be armed all the time, doesn't matter if it's 2 or 4 legged predators. It can be nerve racking out in the middle of no where, out wolves, and no side arm. I'd never go hunting without a side arm, or anywhere as far as that goes. :D
 
How about a ruger sr9. It has a high capacity magazine is affordable and if you mess it up a ruger has one of the best customer service reputations of any company out there.
 
Northrunner, where are you? As noted some states don't allow firearms when you are bowhunting. Personally I feel you already have a good gun, get a military style 1912 flap holster that covers most of the gun or a 1914 holster that covers all the gun and you won't be beating it up in the woods. Ball ammo will suffice for most anything you are likely to meat except grizzly but is that a problem where you are?

Failing that most any 357 double action revolver will serve and 158 gr LSWC or SP bullets will be more than adequate.
 
If I was in an area with bears as well as wolves, I'd go for one of these:

Glock 29 10mm Subcompact
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If I was not:

Ruger P345 45acp
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I don't know about you, but for me weight is a big issue when you're out hunting, especially when you are successful and have your game to drag home in addition to all your gear. In that situation you want something lightweight that will still have the power to take care of anything you might run into. Both the Ruger and the Glock can be had relatively cheaply and both have lightweight polymer frames. 10 rounds of 10mm ought to be enough to keep you safe in the woods. ;)
 
Eagleks - I had the same experience of hiking in a remote area and five ferral dogs made a beeline to me. They circled me and when I looked at the one at the rear of me the ones in front went in for a bite as I kicked at him the ones circling at the rear moved in. I just really waited longer than I should have because I just never wanted to make a mistake and shoot someone's dog. But it came down to me or them as I felt my life was now on the line and just as I was going to shoot the larger sheppard they all took off at the sound of just the hammer cocking (I was going to fire my 357 Trooper single action so as not to miss as i had 6 rounds and 5 dogs). I never had to fire a shot. I believe these were at one time hunting dogs ( and knew what a gun was) that got separated from their owners who just could not wait forever to find their dogs. The dogs must have packed and went ferral. The looked hungry and were mostly all bones. I feel sorry if they ever met up with an unarmed hiker. It might have been a wise thing to shoot them but that is not my style. I will never know if I did the right thing.
One thing I learned over the years and that is know the types of dangers you may face and carry an arm that can meet those dangers. At the least I will carry a SW 329 44mag with Garrett rounds when in bear country. For certain reasons I won't go into I am able to stay very calm in life threatening situations but will stay up many nights later when the danger has passed thinking how amazing "lucky" I was and find it hard to get the images out of my mind, even years later. I just have had the misfortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time way more than I can believe.
 
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