Coyotes

I just read something so disturbing I feel as though I am going to vomit. There are states that allow coyotes to be hunted with dogs. When the dogs catch up to the exhausted coyote they tear the poor animal to pieces alive. The dogs wear GPS collars so the hunters can catch up and put fresh dogs on the chase as their dogs tire, the coyote doesn't have a chance to get away. What makes people so sick and inhumane that they could do this to any living creature? We don't allow dog fighting but doing this to a helpless living creature is acceptable?

The first day (1/1/10) we looked at the property we are trying to buy there was a coyote up on our little mountain barking a warning that we were on it's turf. This made me so excited and happy. Coyotes in my backyard! I can't wait to hear them howling at night. I still can't believe we are hopefully buying the beautiful piece of property that is teaming with wildlife. Most of the land would be considered waste land as it isn't build-able. Its very wet with a river at its bottom. We will be putting our log cabin in the very top corner of the property and leaving the rest wild. I can not wait to live there, and be surrounded by all the wild animals that make me feel alive every time I glimpse one of them.

Today was in the 50s and pouring! Petey and I didn't get out. Over the weekend we did go to our land on Saturday and Sunday and walk the entire piece. Petey loves it up there, lots of smells and room to run around. He will have his own swimming spot.

*The Coyote's Important Statics

Weight: 15-45 pounds
Length with tail: 40-60 inches
Shoulder Height: 15-20 inches
Sexual Maturity: 1-2 years
Mating Season: January-March
Gestation Period: 58-65 days
Number of Young: 2-12, 6 average
Birth Interval: 1 year
Lifespan: 15 years in the wild
Typical diet: Small mammals, insects, reptiles, fruit and carrion


*Coyote Facts
- Only 5-20% of coyote pups survive their first year.
- Coyotes can run at almost forty miles per hour and jump over an eight foot fence!
- Coyotes can breed with both domestic dogs and wolves. A dog-coyote mix is called a "coydog."
- The coyote is more likely to be afraid of you than vice-versa.
- The coyote maintains its territory by marking it with urine.