Coyote Yipps

Hello Janet!

As winter ends and Spring is upon us, change is the theme of the season. Some areas already have spring blossoms. Some areas are locked in snow. We continue on.

Profound changes in local coyote admittedly bothered me some..but I’ve accepted the changes and will keep adapting just like coyote. They have adapted for millennia beyond sucessful.

The changes are both small and huge. Im sure I don’t even get a fraction of it usually.

My dogs and I patrol, inspect and check on vast properties and areas. We note anything worth noting. We scout, track, study and immerse ourselves in the land. This is the 1st late winter that local coyote…have been relatively silent. Not mute. But definitely low key and subdued. 

The reason is…wolves. Wolves have very slowly…in trickles..resettled our region. Historically…my pack and I encountered coyote weekly especially in our pre dawn patrols. We developed strategies to counter coyote and give them options and room as we passed. The past 10 years the pack has grown very skillful in minimizing coyote encounters. It was par course to hear coyote concerts, insults and messages.

This has mostly…stopped. On ranch after ranch, range after range…we see changed coyote. They ARE NOT wiped out. But definelty reduced. Our area had a free flow of very vocal packs..sometimes numbering 4-7. 

We are now experiencing duos or 3 maybe. And they are quick to call and disappear. They are here…and leave scats still proclaiming territory. But they aren’t advertising visually. If they see or sense canines…they literally disappear in silence. It’s profound for us who always heard some tips or calls or canoe defiance…and recognition.

Most people don’t realize the sheer influence and power of wolves. They are doing what coyote do…surviving. They are actually much shyer, and quieter, then coyote. Less daring. But….when it comes to canine hierarchy..wolves are top dogs in woods. A lone nomadic wolf trots thru and is gone. A territorial pack of wolves methodically, regularly, patrols vast vast areas. They need to eat. And they will run off…or dispatch, any strange wolf, coyote or dog they find in territory. We have 2 regional packs minimally..vying for vast areas. They travel further and faster then any coyote…rountinely. 

The result is..after a few years..wolf wary coyote behaviors we’ve never known.

If we want wilderness and wildlife..this is the other side. Animals will establish themselves. They will survive. And some species are more direct about it. 

The coyote aren’t wiped out..but no doubt…many have not survived once wolves claim the foothills to cascade circuits. It is nature.

I admit my own struggle with it. Areas the pack and I used to hear coyote neighbors…silent. Also..its humbling. My pack and local coyote established a specific..somewhat sloppy truce. A lot of growls and messages…and distance. 

Wolves are inherently shy of humans. I’m not going to hear them yip to my pack. But..my pack also can’t counter wolves as they did coyote. 

The Wolves are here and no canines can contest that.

The coyote get quieter and more low key. My dogs stick close to me and we go fwd. We are adapting to wolves. Acknowledging wolves. And amazed to live with Wolves. Real…horizon roaming wolves.

But I miss my noisy coyote. 

Take care..

Lou