Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations coyotes killing livestock

I believe wolves were what originally held coyotes out of most of North America, leaving them in the hot/arid areas where we are used to seeing them chase Road Runners (smaller bodies = easier heat dissipation ???). Removal of wolves, which cannot live in close proximity to man, has left a huge expanse of territory open to Wile E.'s friends & relatives, who have no trouble making a living in the 'burbs and more open cities (i.e. JHAP's SoCal).

As Jack_Flash stated, a similar thing was happening in the pasture behind my house except there weren't any calves, just steers. I would shine my spotlight out and they would have the steers herded into a circle. I can't imagine that 'yote could kill a full grown steer but what else could they be trying to do. I started off just throwing out a firecracker to scare them off. After about three times of being waken in the middle of the night from their yelping I'd had enough. I took this one from a little over 100yds with my .223. I've only seen 1 since so apparently they got the message.

I do know that if cattle ranchers here in NE are having a problem with coyotes killing calves that they can call the USDA ant they will send a up a sharp shooter in an airplane to thin the coyotes down. It is also legal in NE to carry a loaded rifle in your vehicle in large part so ranchers can deal with coyotes on their property. However, carrying a loaded shotgun in your vehicle is highly illegal in NE. NE residents also do not need a hunting permit to shoot coyotes and the yotes are legal to shoot year round. I'm just glad that our cold winters and periodic outbreaks of mange help keep the yote numbers in check around here.