My parents sent me this photo the other day. It seems as if my coyote hunting skills are needed at the Sunland Springs retirement community in Mesa, Ariz. Just when the cats thought it was safe to evade marauding coyotes by climbing the coyotes themselves learned to climb, and balance like a tightrope walker at the circus.
Did somebody lose a Frisbee up here?
I’ve been researching an urban coyote hunting article the past few days. Although I brag about the good coyote hunting within rifle range of my bedroom window, the cities aren’t exactly void of coyotes as this photo proves. In fact, an ongoing study in Chicago confirms that coyotes not only live in the suburbs, but they spend time right downtown.
Maybe you recall the news footage of the coyote that walked right into a Chicago restaurant and sat there waiting for an order. Do you remember the New York coyote that decided Central Park was his new home? In Seattle, Wash., a coyote strode into a federal building and actually took an elevator ride. At the Seattle airport a coyote walked into the airport and then boarded a commuter train for a ride back to the suburbs.
Coyotes are survivors and they no longer look at the city as a place to avoid. In fact, the city offers them shelter and a great menu at the same time. The coyote season is winding down as pelts lose their prime, but if you have a hankering for one last outing you might consider doing it close to home…like the backyard.
Next time I visit Arizona I’m going to set up on my folk’s patio. It looks out over the golf course where I’m sure a rodent or two is basking in the sun just teasing a hungry coyote.
Mark Kayser
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