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Offline Loki_762

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Coyote question
« on: June 22, 2005, 04:05:46 PM »
I just moved to an area that is absolutely LOADED with rabbits.  I must see between 5 and 10 of them every day, in various locations on the island.  Along with the rabbits, I have heard that there are coyotes, and although I have yet to see one, I have a sneaking suspicion that there is one living in the greenbelt behind our house.  Twice in the last two weeks, we have found partially eaten rabbits in our back yard, and they are in VERY bad shape.  One was missing it's head, a back leg, and most of it's entrails.  The other one was just the back half of the rabbit, and today, I think I found half of it's skull, complete with one eyeball still in it.  Now, I have cats, but I am pretty sure it is not them, even though they have been a little tough on the bird population.  I am also pretty sure they couldn't do that to a rabbit.  I also know that we have raccoons, because I have seen them - in fact, our dogs treed one.  But once again, I doubt that a raccoon would do that to a rabbit.  So, I am guessing coyote.  Now, with all that space in the greenbelt, why would he be leaving dead rabbits in our yard?  Could this be a territory thing, and it is doing this because our dogs have marked the yard, which the coyote considers his territory?  Should I try calling the coyote and kill it?  We have already lost one cat since moving here, and I really don't want to lose more.  I live in a populated area, so using a gun is out.  But I do have a bow, and the greenbelt is on a hill.  If I can call it into my yard, with the hill as a backdrop, would I be safe shooting it with my bow?  I am worried that there is an agressive animal in the area, and I just want to keep my animals and my family safe.  Any ideas?
Thanks,
Loki
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Offline trotterlg

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Coyote question
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2005, 04:50:30 PM »
I would doubt it is Coyotes, they rarely leave a scrap, and I don't think they would have a midnight snack in your back yard.  They will eat your cats however.  Try calling it in to see what it is and then shoot it on the 4th of July and blame it on kids with fire crackers.  I would think you probably have someones agressive pet dog running arould.  Larry
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Offline wipartimer

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Coyote question
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2005, 05:02:11 PM »
with that many rabbits, it sounds to me like your dog/s have found a new hobby.  This ime of year coyotes aren't wandering too far from thier dens; and while they may be letting the pups play with the kill a little, the coyotes certainly wouldn't let the pups play in your yard.
     I would guess that either your dog/s are killing the rabbits, or your cats are killing them and bringing them back as a trophy and then fido is using them as a chew toy.
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Offline Loki_762

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Coyote question
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2005, 06:43:00 PM »
Well, I would think that too, but the rabbits are showing up when the dogs are not around - either they are on the lawn first thing in the morning when we get up, or they are there when I am doing something in the yard and they are inside.  Could this be the work of birds of prey?  I know for a fact we have owls and bald eagles near by.
Thanks for the responses,
Loki
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Offline oso45-70

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Predator and Varmint Hunting
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2005, 10:10:17 PM »
Loki.

I think you hit the nail on the head with your owl theory. Owls catch more cats and rabbits than any thing else. My neighbor feeds cattle on his place and he likes to keep cats around the barn to catch mice and rats. His place is surounded buy big trees and at night the owls come in and kill all his cats. I know for a fact that they will kill rabbits because i have seen them at work. Regards........Joe............
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Offline Buckskin

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Coyote question
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2005, 05:14:30 AM »
My guess is that it is your cats or a mink getting after them.  An owl wouldn't eat its head off and leave the easy eatin stuff.  Although I'm sure they take a bunch of them.  Coyote is out of the question, won't leave anything behind. But they certainly will have no fear of going into your yard after dark.  I live out in the country and routinely see coyotes just feet from my house.  And good luck shooting one with your bow, espcially if your calling them.  I have shot one with my bow, and do not personally know anyone else who has even gotten a shot off at one.  They are very, very wary!! I got lucky!
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Offline Lawdog

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Coyote question
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2005, 11:03:35 AM »
Quote from: Buckskin
My guess is that it is your cats or a mink getting after them.  An owl wouldn't eat its head off and leave the easy eatin stuff.  Although I'm sure they take a bunch of them.  Coyote is out of the question, won't leave anything behind. But they certainly will have no fear of going into your yard after dark.  I live out in the country and routinely see coyotes just feet from my house.  And good luck shooting one with your bow, espcially if your calling them.  I have shot one with my bow, and do not personally know anyone else who has even gotten a shot off at one.  They are very, very wary!! I got lucky!


I agree with Buckskin.  It's either a neighbors dog(s) or your cats.  The wife has a large house cat that kills Jack Rabbits all the time.  The eating of the head sounds like a dog to me though.  Let us know if you find out what is doing the deed.  Lawdog
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Offline oso45-70

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Predator And Varmint Hunting
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2005, 07:34:04 PM »
lawdog

 Skunks and other small Varmints might eat the heads of chickens But I can tell you owls are a big problem when it comes to killing chickens and cats and rabbits and on one occasion even a small dog. Skunks and weasels are known for being sneaky and can get into about any pen or cage that man can make. I did not notice where LOKI_762 was located it might be that its a whole different world form where i am........Joe.....
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Offline Buckskin

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Coyote question
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2005, 08:52:08 AM »
When skins were worth something I used to trap, and I found many of my muskrats with their heads eaten off by mink.  I've also seen cats do this, especially well fed domestic cats.  Domestic or ferral, if they are in the field they have a bullseye on them as far as I'm concerned.
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Offline Lawdog

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Coyote question
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2005, 11:02:44 AM »
joe,

Usually one can tell when a skunk has been at a rabbit or that even if one is in the neighborhood.  Lawdog
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Offline Loki_762

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Coyote question
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2005, 11:45:38 AM »
Well, I may have found the culprit.  I found my cat yesterday with one in his mouth! :oops:   But it was just a baby one - it's body was about the size of a rat.  So, I am sure he is doing some of the killing, but I am not so sure about the larger ones.  I will just have to watch ol' Thor and see if he brings me anything bigger.
Thanks,
Loki
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Offline oso45-70

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Predator And Varmint Hunting
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2005, 03:28:59 PM »
Loki_762

Well what was it, A Skunk or what...........Joe.........
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