Coyotes getting out of hand!

[jkcmj]

I had a visit on the wild side tonight with a coyote pack coming right through the yard and into the shed to steal a laying hen and kill a turkey dragging it off several hundered yards.

I was first alerted by one of my hens cackling just outside my bedroom window about 11 pm. I tracked the feathers and paw prints out and found the dead hen buried in a snow drift 1/4 mile away. 4 white guinea fowl missing as well, presumed dead. Others were scattered in the trees and on top the house trying to escape the carnage.

When I went out to retrieve the turkey carcass, the coyotes stayed out a ways screaming, barking, and howling at me as I headed back to the house! I sat in the garage with my rifle for an hour, but they did not come back. I have been here 10 years and never had coyotes come in the yard. Coons, cats, skunks, and possum, but never coyotes.

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

You can bet they will be back, this would be a perfect time to stake that turkey down and set 3 or 4 traps around the carcass. Just make sure you don't have any free roaming cats or dogs around because it won't take long for them to find the carcass either.

[rattlem'up]

i believe that would be illegal to set traps around a carcass that is visable due to eagles, hawks and other protected game from getting caught in the traps. I'm sure there are plenty of people that coyote hunt around you that could help you out. If there is a specific trail where the coyotes go under the fence a snare would be a good setup.

[Ray1]

Yes that would be illegal.

[jkcmj]

I have been watching this winter, and only once or twice did a coyote cross my land so regular fence crossing aren't visible. They came into the yard by way of open field between my neighbor's house and mine. They buried the chicken within 20 yards of his back yard, and tried to carry the chicken the opposite direction across the road where I had them screaming and barking last night. The only tracks near my house all winter were last night after 8 pm, but I bet the'll come back now. Unfortunetly my shed does not close up, so I can't lock them out either. I will try calling them in tonight and see if I can have any luck. I might even hang the dead carcasses out in a tree for enticement and see if that will keep them coming near so I might get a shot. With the feathers blowing in the wind and scent it might help.

[picksbigwagon]

hogwire that turkey to a fencepost good and tight, and find some coyote howls to play nice and loud. If that pack thinks another group has weaseled in on their food storage building (your shed) they will come in ready for a fight

[Tom7227]

Unfortunetly my shed does not close up, so I can't lock them out either. I will try calling them in tonight and see if I can have any luck. I might even hang the dead carcasses out in a tree for enticement and see if that will keep them coming near so I might get a shot. With the feathers blowing in the wind and scent it might help.

You can't sit there forever. Your best bet would be to spend some time and money to tighten up the shed cause if you don't the critters are all going to disappear. Your place is the OCB in your area and they don't need feathers to find it.

[rattlem'up]

If you going to try calling them make sure you set up accordingly. Have the wind crossing you or in your face if possible. Since they caught wiff of your scent last night it would be highly unlikely for them to come in again if they smell you. If you dont have snow camo use a bed sheet to cover up or make sure you have a backdrop away from any light that might come from your house. If your familiar with hand calls or have(borrow) and electronic call i would suggest to start with a lone howl. Wait about 3 to 4 min while scanning for yotes,if they happen to anwser you then try to mimic there howls,barks and so forth. But if you dont get an answer then start with some distress calls. If you have a turkey call just mimic the sound that you were hearing last night. Any distress call should work but since you have turkeys and other game it would be best to stick with that. This is also there breeding season. Coyotes are very teritorial and will most likely challange any other coyote intruder to there pack. Thus coyote vocals will work well during this time also. With this info give it a shot tonight and let us know the outcome.

[LightningBG]

Not to hijack the thread, but this morning I saw a dead yote next to the road at 694 and Snelling. Surprised the heck out of me.

[HooknHorns]

What town are you located by and if its not too far Id come out to help you get rid of them.

[jkcmj]

SE MN near Winona/Rushford area

[joekleinjr]

I wish i was close to you also,, I'd love to help with your problem.

Hell i'd be camped out on the front porch waiting for them..

Good luck

[jkcmj]

I checked the birds outside at 1:00 am last night and all was well so I figured I was good to go. When I went out at 7:30 this morning, I was missing a royal turkey hen, a black copper maran hen, and a bantam rooster. On a positive note, one of the 3 missing guinea hens has returned from the dead so I have 5 of the 7 still. Last night I had left the dog outside and went out checking every so often with flashlight to try detering any activity, but obviously they are now determined. I got permission from the farmer across the road to hunt coyotes over there so my brother is going to come with an electronic caller and we are going to give it a try tonight.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

you can tell when there is a deep snow pack when you start hearing stories like this. Not much mousin going on this winter.

[HooknHorns]

Ya im about an hour away, hopefully you and your brother can thin the yotes out.

[piker007]

Its mating season for them now so you might wanna try a challenge call on your ecaller or female invitation calls.

[CO1978]

When I first met my wife (3-4 years ago) she lived in Shoreview between Lexington and Victoria. I saw Coyotes more than once while down visiting her.