Bering a desert resident since 1986 I've seen plenty of coyotes - but always from a safe distance (usually from either the comfort of the local bus or too far off while walking for it to notice me). Until about a half hour ago.
While walking from my apartment complex I noticed this particular coyote sniffing around 25-30 yards in front and to the right at the very edge of my apartment complex. I didn't think I was in any danger as I thought the coyote would scatter the opposite direction as soon as it noticed me. Being that I was walking towards it - but not directly - I thought any moment now it will run away. ha!
Mr. Coyote did NOT run away. As I continued walking in essence towards this coyote it became clear to me it wasn't going anywhere. When I gave it a long look after noticing it wasn't running away I saw it just stare at me. And by this time I'm maybe 10 feet away from it. And it's an adult sized coyote. I'm a little scared as I don't have anything on me that is remotely designated as self-defense. By this time I was hoping for roadrunner to show up. I kid! But we have those too.
Anyways, as I hauled ass walking up the sidewalk I turned my head and kept walking with my head turned because Mr. Coyote was following me. Fuck! Now I'm looking for a long stick of some sort. Nothing available. Then I see some rocks and dig in for a handful. Well, apparently that sound of rocks hitting each other (landscaping gravel type rocks) frightens otherwise bold coyotes. It literally disappeared after that. But it's still pretty dark out so I'm thinking he's going to cut through the open field (aside from creosote bushes it's open field) and ambush me. But no. I made it home.
After thinking about it some I wonder if he was looking for a handout meal or something because I recall seeing a coyote walk into an apartment complex late at night a few months ago and I can't imagine one doing that unless it's somehow been rewarded for it. But I didn't have any coyote treats on me.
I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't picked up the rocks. Would he have come even closer to me? Does he even fear people at all? I believe this particular coyote was probably hand-fed by someone. He just wasn't very skittish at all.
While walking from my apartment complex I noticed this particular coyote sniffing around 25-30 yards in front and to the right at the very edge of my apartment complex. I didn't think I was in any danger as I thought the coyote would scatter the opposite direction as soon as it noticed me. Being that I was walking towards it - but not directly - I thought any moment now it will run away. ha!
Mr. Coyote did NOT run away. As I continued walking in essence towards this coyote it became clear to me it wasn't going anywhere. When I gave it a long look after noticing it wasn't running away I saw it just stare at me. And by this time I'm maybe 10 feet away from it. And it's an adult sized coyote. I'm a little scared as I don't have anything on me that is remotely designated as self-defense. By this time I was hoping for roadrunner to show up. I kid! But we have those too.
Anyways, as I hauled ass walking up the sidewalk I turned my head and kept walking with my head turned because Mr. Coyote was following me. Fuck! Now I'm looking for a long stick of some sort. Nothing available. Then I see some rocks and dig in for a handful. Well, apparently that sound of rocks hitting each other (landscaping gravel type rocks) frightens otherwise bold coyotes. It literally disappeared after that. But it's still pretty dark out so I'm thinking he's going to cut through the open field (aside from creosote bushes it's open field) and ambush me. But no. I made it home.
After thinking about it some I wonder if he was looking for a handout meal or something because I recall seeing a coyote walk into an apartment complex late at night a few months ago and I can't imagine one doing that unless it's somehow been rewarded for it. But I didn't have any coyote treats on me.
I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't picked up the rocks. Would he have come even closer to me? Does he even fear people at all? I believe this particular coyote was probably hand-fed by someone. He just wasn't very skittish at all.
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