reboyles - Mar 14, 2013 7:36 am - Voted 10/10
Out here in the WestI've seen these "varmints" poisoned, trapped, run over by vehicles, gunned down by helicopters, "plinked" year-round by hunters and somehow they have endured everything that humans have thrown at them so far. When 1080 (cyanide) was banned you wouldn't have believed the howling (and it wasn't the coyotes). I can't help but respect and admire one of the few animals that has managed to thrive regardless of the long campaign to eradicate these wily creatures.
Great article!
Bob Sihler - Mar 15, 2013 10:02 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Out here in the WestThanks! I feel about them the way you do. They're survivors.
colinr - Mar 16, 2013 4:21 am - Voted 10/10
I miss seeing themI'm bound to cross paths with a coyote again near home sometime, but it has been awhile. Nearly a decade ago, when my neighborhood was new, I saw one around sunset while jogging along a creek. Prior to that, I would often ride by one while cycling out in the rural hills east of town. We'd hear them howling at night when we were living out at the base of the hills and still do sometimes in suburbia. My most vivid encounter was in nearby Henry Coe State Park while mountain biking in a remote area. I crested a hill at a T-junction and stopped. I usually paused at this spot to catch my breath and to admire the views of oaks, wildflowers and rolling grassland, but this time was unique. I watched a pack of seven coyotes meander up canyon, some passing within five yards of me. I remember the silence and their indifference to a lone mountain biker. I was glad I was heading the other way so I wouldn't need to test their reaction to me riding by. I won't forget that sighting.
Might the red wolves back east that some folks were commenting about be coywolves? Maybe coyotes are filling in former territory of something that was largely coyote anyway. Out here, California's lone confirmed wolf is back in Oregon for now. He drifted back north last March, too. Maybe he caught wind of the recent organized coyote hunt.
Bob, your piece on the coyote was a pleasure to read!
Bob Sihler - Mar 18, 2013 9:37 am - Hasn't voted
Re: I miss seeing themThanks, Sean, and thanks for sharing your own stories. To the best of my knowledge, the red wolves in NC are not hybrids. I'm glad to hear the CA wolf is still alive even if it has gone back to OR. I long for the day that wolves and grizzlies return to CA and live free but suspect it won't happen because of population density and fear and politics.
colinr - Mar 19, 2013 1:35 am - Voted 10/10
Re: I miss seeing themI guess I had forgotten about the ones I've seen while driving through Furnace Creek...someone had an exciting encounter near there recently with a coyote following him for a long time and distance: http://www.death-valley.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22151
Bob Sihler - Mar 19, 2013 3:09 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: I miss seeing themInteresting account-- thanks for sharing!
CheesySciFi - Mar 17, 2013 12:02 am - Voted 10/10
Your best yetBob,
This is a really moving tribute to an enduring symbol of the West. I think that you've surpassed your already impressive work on Summitpost with this article. Hearing the howl of the coyotes in New Mexico is something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Bob Sihler - Mar 18, 2013 9:38 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Your best yetThanks! I have heard the coyotes howling in Shenandoah just after moonrise, so you should have some good chances after moving to Front Royal!
TimmyC - Mar 17, 2013 12:28 am - Voted 10/10
I'm glad this made it (back) to the front pageThis is a very good read; excellent thoughts, very well expressed. I'm not sure you need to worry about igniting a debate about predator/nuisance. Your nostalgic tone, I feel, outweighs any political overtones or sentiments. Well put, sir. Nicely done.
(Also, Éowyn is just about the best name for a fierce cat ever. Just saying.)
Bob Sihler - Mar 18, 2013 9:40 am - Hasn't voted
Re: I'm glad this made it (back) to the front pageThanks, Timmy, and thanks for reading. Sadly, Éowyn left us last fall, but our little mini-cougar will not be forgotten!
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