We’re kicking off October with a free week here on the Tuesdays on the Run Linkup. Feel free to share any running-related post your heart desires.
I’ve lived in an area rich with wildlife for almost 20 years now. It’s not unusual to see more than my share of deer, coyote, raccoon. fox, skunk, opossum, you name it when I’m out running. I barely bat an eye.
At night I can hear coyotes howling in the not-too-distant distance.
A funny thing happened last week. I was out running on prairie trails with the Ozzypup. We came around a curve to find 2 LARGE coyotes in front of us. They looked at us for a second before vanishing into the high grass. I did what I figured I was supposed to do, which was make myself big and loud as we ran TOWARD where the coyotes were. While I fear for my 15 lb. dogs and never leave them outside loose or alone, I don’t personally fear coyotes.
Fast forward 24 hours. Ozzy and I were out running again, on the same trail. We came around the same curve to find the same two LARGE coyotes hanging out there. Again they regarded us for a second before heading into the high grass. It was like Groundhog Day.
Ozzy and I continued down the trail, running toward where the coyotes had been. It wasn’t until we’d passed the place the coyotes had been that I began to wonder if they’d come after us. Do they have a chase instinct? What if they had coyote cubs nearby?
I did a little coyote research and here’s what I came up with:
Coyotes typically have little interest in humans and will usually run away. If you have a large dog with you though, they may consider it competition. If you have a small dog with you they’ll likely consider it prey. If you encounter a coyote when you’re walking a small dog, pick up your dog (I did not).
Avoid areas known to have coyote activity. I failed in this regard as well, since I’d just seen coyotes on that trail a day earlier. This is even more crucial in spring when coyotes likely have pups they’re protective of.
Avoid being out at sunrise or sunset.
Stick to open trails and avoid areas with thick brush. The trails we were on were flanked by thick brush. My bad.
It’s better to run toward a coyote and make loud noises than to run away. Finally I did something right.
Do you encounter wildlife on the run? Coyotes? Did you know the safety protocol?
Loading InLinkz ...
I wouldn’t know what to do about coyotes. I don’t think we have any around here but we do have tons of deer and foxes. The deer just stop and stare at me and then run away. It’s crazy that we still have so much wildlife living around here because our neighborhood is so busy!
Last year I saw a coyote maybe a couple of miles from here. They didn’t seem to be around when we moved here, but they’re moving in. And we’re a small subdivision not far from a busy 4 lane road.
My pet sitter warned me she saw one pretty much right in the neighborhood while we were gone. Like you, I don’t leave the dogs out untended. It’s really never a good idea.
I see coyotes occasionally here in my suburban neighborhood. They have never shown interest in me. I probably look like overcooked, dried out meat to them. There have been reports of them snatching pups out of people’s backyards, tho.
I know we have coyotes in my area too. I never thought of being scared of them, but I don’t run with my dog. I am more scared of untethered farm dogs, who have growled at me more than once. Glad your encounters were uneventful!
I guess with most animals it would be a natural instinct to run away. They told us to absolutely not do this in Alaska if we saw bears. Thankfully, the bears we did see had absolutely no interest in us and just wanted to eat their salmon. The only time I am afraid of deer is when I am on my bike bc you never know which way they will run.
Glad they didn’t hassle you or your pup.
That would be a little too close for comfort for me
Okay, if I saw a coyote on a trail I would be absolutely terrified! Glad you had no issues – your tips are definitely good to know! We have deer in my neighborhood and I’ve seen a fox once while running, but I think the coyotes would really freak me out!
Oh my Gosh this would have scared me SO much. I have never encountered a Coyote and never even thought about that being a possibility in my area, which it probably is not. However, I do see deer and those who don’t usually see deer in their area may be frightened at them but at this point, I am not. I am fascinated and will watch them till they decided to run away. Was the Coyote sighting on one of your “normal ” trails? If so, I would hate the fact that I would have to leave my favorite trail for a safer one. You and Ozzy pup stay safe out there! -M
P.S Thanks for the tips!
I think seeing a coyote much less two on the trail would have sent me running in the other direction! Thankfully wildlife around here doesn’t get any crazier than bunnies, turkeys, and some deer.
Wow, I’ve never seen coyotes. I did have three deer cross a road, right in front of me, one time, though.
Nope. Never seen one though I heard they were around. Just lots of deer. They are not even afraid of humans.
Interesting. I know you’re not supposed to run away from many wild animals, but I’m not sure I’d remember that in the moment! Luckily I haven’t been stalked by a fox in a while, although I have seen one in my neighborhood recently.
I know this would have been the wrong thing to do, but I probably would have ran away screaming once I saw the coyotes!
The biggest “wild” animals I’ve come across while running was a group of deer. I kind of just stopped in my tracks and then slowly walked backwards and ran the other way, lol.
We see all of those wildlife animals where I live. The coyotes are particularly brave on garbage night, but they usually scamper when humans are around.. We have a 4-1/2 foot fence around our yard and have repeatedly seen them leap over it. They’ve grabbed a number of small pets from our neighborhood over the years, so it’s definitely something to be concerned about.
If I were to see a coyote, I think I would freeze and hoped that it would go away. Or I might turn around and run the opposite direction.
Yikes! In my head I know that a coyote wouldn’t be after me, but they can be big! And somehow seeing two of something is always creepier.
We have lots of deer and occasionally a fox or wild turkeys- the turkeys make me the most nervous!