COYOTES - Do you hear coyotes howling at night? This coyote howling contest is what we hear every night, coming from 3 different directions/packs. But, we don't actually lay eyes on the 'yotes very often until the pups are born. Then, we'll see parents almost every day until fall. Once the huge pear tree is loaded with fruit, it's a regular stop on their hunt. Toby does his part to help keep the coyotes away by eating every pear that hits the ground before they can. We're thankful for the help, lol, and Toby enjoys lending a hand, especially when it involves his favorite snack. 😅
We hear packs of 'yotes all the time but now's the time of year to see them more. It's almost coyote mating season (late February thru the end of March) in Georgia so the boys are out looking for their mate. Coyote pairs will stay together for the year/season. Everybody thinks they attack more now but that's not necessarily the case. They are just more vocal. Now, in a few more weeks (late spring to early summer) the pups will be born. That's when the parents will be more aggressive. They're going to be protecting and finding extra food for their pups. Definitely use extra caution to protect your fur babies during the summer months. I must say, though, if you're in a rapidly growing rural area like we are, their competition for food is greater and their natural prey is harder to find. This is naturally going to create more active, bold, fearless coyotes going after chickens, ducks, small goats, and dogs. That means you may see them no matter the season, especially if you have a nearby food or water source for them.
So, what do coyotes eat? Coyotes like to eat fruit (they LOVE our pear tree - ugh) and persimmon seeds and, of course, they are excellent hunters. So, chipmunks, rodents, and baby bunnies are at the top of their preferred eating menu. When they can't find food, that's when they go for bigger things like chickens, geese, fawns, cats, and small dogs. Remember to not draw them to you by leaving out any pet food.
How can you protect your pets/farm critters?
- Bring them in/put them up at dusk
- Don't leave food outside
- Walk pets on a leash
- Don't run if you see them - get big & make noise
- Consider a Coyote/Raptor Vest, especially for small pets or in an area known for 'yote aggression
- Get a Solar Powered Predator Deterrent LED light
So, the reality is that if you live in or visit the country in Georgia or most of the South East, hearing packs of coyotes howling at night is almost a certainty. Since their territory is constantly being eliminated, you're gonna see them at some point, as well. The video sounds creepy enough. You should hear it in person! After all these years, I've grown accustomed to their coyote calls but I'm also glad to be sitting on my nice, safe porch, lol. Learning to protect your babies is the best way to exist with coyotes. Let us know if you have found any other tried and true deterrents. We'd love to know of more options.
Stay safe, my 🐾 friends!
Toby 🐾🖤 and Mommy ❣️
** As a reminder, if you click on the above links and you make a purchase, we get a tiny percentage of the sale (at no cost to you). Every sale gets us one step closer to paying off Toby's medical expenses. So, a huge THANK YOU for your support! 🤗❣️🐾🖤
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