We were finally able to get a clear, safe shot on the coyote that’s been hanging around. We generally try to leave the coyotes alone. As long as they respect the fences and the dogs and don’t bother us or the sheep, we don’t bother them. The last time we had to kill one was in the Fall of 2000. After that, the pack moved on or changed composition, and we had a number of years with no problems. We could hear the coyotes nearly every night, and there was definitely a den on our property. However, the coyotes never came near the sheep, never tried to lure the dogs away from the flock, and never caused further problems. They left us alone, and we, in turn, left them alone.
This coyote was different. I suspect the older animals died, and the new ones that moved in were much bolder and more aggressive. This male was ignoring the dogs and being way too bold. He came up to check things out during the day and looked in at the sheep, ignoring the frenzied dogs just inside the fence. With lambing about to start, we could not afford to have a coyote like that in the area. We’ve been trying to get a shot at it for a while, but until today, they were all unsafe shots. Finally, that coyote got into a position where we could take a safe shot. One round, one less coyote. Hopefully, this will be the last of our coyote problems for another decade.
The pregnant ewes are finally out on pasture and ready to lamb, so it was none too soon.
