Anyone else listening to Dr. Mike and the coyote subject?

So basically, a 'progressive' is advocating for coyote 'control' because his dog was attacked - ie - extermination of coyotes. I've lived with coyotes most of my life, we have them here even in our burbs of Portland and there are times when park and rec exterminate their song - I hate it. I mourn every time. How about we as humans stop decimating the coyote's habitat and leave them the fuck alone? Might that be a win-win? I'm so sick and damn tired of our human response to solve critter or plant problems is to destroy them. What happened to our superior ability to reason? Ugh, fuck these killers - kill the coyotes, kill the raccoons, kill the opossums, kill the birds of prey who prey on our pigeon hobby - kill everything that we deem a threat to our convenience.

as I am concerned.

years ago, I lived out in the desert--and a darling coyote pup used to come and talk to my malmute--actually, they would sing together. people thought I was crazy, but didn't bother me in the least.

we invade their habitat, and demand that they leave--makes no sense to me at all. I would rather have the wildness and beauty around me. around here, we have foxes, raccoons, deer, even the occasional moose, and,up in the foothills, bears. we all get along just fine.

I stream AZ 1480 during the day.

I find his opinion on the subject so far to the right, I'll send him an email. The callers are all calling in with their stories and shoring up his stance. It's sickening. There's got to be a goddamn in between.

but I am a naturalist specializing in coyotes.

Whoever Dr. Mike is... he can do anything he wants to the coyotes, and their numbers will be unchanged. In fact, they may increase. Coyotes range from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Panama Canal to the Arctic circle.

Merryblooms, you are wrong about us exterminating the coyote habitat.... it's ALL coyote habitat. City, suburb, country, wilderness... it's all theirs!

Coyotes are very different from wolves. In a wolf pack, only the alpha pair mate. 70% of coyote females mate. The largest coyote litter on record is 19.

Coyotes are virtually no danger to humans. Dogs kill an average of 17 people per year in the US..half of them children. Coyotes have killed two humans since aroung 1960.... and one of those people was killed recently in NE Canada. Those coyotes have wolf genes from interbreeding. I always advise people to carry a stick and an attitude when you walk their dog. Not for the coyotes... for the dogs!

Letting your cat out of the house is stupid...day or night. If the cars don't get them, the dogs, coyotes, or owls will.

Coyotes are the smartest, most adaptable creatures I know of, and human interference causes virtually no change in their numbers and habits.

Dr. Mike needs to remember that his dog/cat is just lunch for a coyote and act accordingly. Keep your animal on your property (Most states and counties require that your animals not be allowed to roam. At all.)

in broad daylight, your description is right on target. I've seen them at night running in our streets and in the garbage dumpsters behind our local grocery store (along with raccoons, another highly adaptable animal). When we go on walks in our neighborhood - we always carry a stick, no matter what.

I do have a question: Someone told me once that coyotes can make unusual sounds that mimic other animals, or that at least draws out curious animals. I do hear their cries at night - sometimes very high pitched, and my cats perk up their ears when they hear this in the distance. Is this true, to your knowledge?

nothing would surprise me about coyotes. Fake limps, playing with golf balls on the course, sending the youngsters to "test" a dog or sheep....

I use pics of a coyote in a Quiznos sandwich shop in Chicago....

and pics of a coyote in a Portland transit car....


I also use a pic of two deer chasing a coyote...

Amazing creatures...and they are here to stay.

(although I think you short changed us on the last one!)

And thanks for the deeper insight into this keen animal. :thumbsup:

It gives me some hope.

In our area, the park and rec have eliminated all the coyotes - no relocation - just extermination. Our neighborhood backs to a greenway/protected wetlands/bird sanctuary. They at least notify us of their actions. :(

We're not allowed to even change our own oil in our driveways, which we all willingly sign on to, for fear of disturbing the habitat and well-being of our natural neighbors. Yet, it's perfectly ok to exterminate the coyotes in that habitat. I miss the coyote song at night - I'm sorry, some guy almost losing his beagle because his beagle was out unattended doesn't equate a death penalty for the coyotes, to me.

I co-habitat with a rescued domestic bunny (someone turned him loose into the greenway and he sought shelter under one of our vehicles, no one claimed him), a 6 month old cat and a 14 y/o+ now, mini doxie - none of which are allowed out on their own or off the upper deck, for their own protection. My cat is harnessed when outside at all times, the doxie not allowed without one of his people and the bunny isn't allowed off the upper deck. Know the dangers, protect your beloved pets with responsible damn common sense.

RATS! Yes, even the best neighborhoods have rats, especially if you border water and a greenbelt.

The Fish and Game people took 17 coyotes out of our area, and the damned rats were so big and glossy that I wanted to make a coat!

we have coyotes here in LA....it's great to hear them howling at night.....