Around Sandy Springs

By Jim H.

November 19, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

Yeah, trap’em and move them. That’s a real practical solution. I just love liberal city folks ideas on the natural world. I won’t bring up the “non politically correct” answer to the problem. You might faint.

But seriously, as an avid deer hunter (who actually gets out in the woods on a regular basis) I can assure you that Coyotes are everywhere now. I have seen plenty of them, some in the Atlanta suburbs (while bowhunting). There are many more than most folks are aware of. Folks, they will catch and kill your pets, so be careful! A full grown cat can probably get away, but kittens and small dogs are at definite risk. A small dog in an outside pen is an easy meal. I live at Lake Oconee and we always make sure our cat is in at night. While bowhunting in Greene county last year I observed a Coyote with a live kitten in it’s mouth run by my deer stand. Very sad.

By jcr

November 19, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Last year, we had a coyote in our N. Fulton n’hood. I spoke to three different companies regarding the removal of coyotes, and they all said the same thing. Bring your pets inside and don’t leave food outside. The coyotes are losing their natural habitat. Wait 2 weeks, and if the coyote was still around, hire a trapper. In most cases, like ours, the coyote was just passing through.

It’s unbelievable how many people leave food out for the animals, though. Talk about an invite. Watch out, you would not believe the number of people who volunteered to shoot the coyote on sight.

By DB

November 19, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Why do people leave their pets out overnight, anyway? I would no more leave my two cats and one dog outside overnight than I would my children!

By miakoda

November 20, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

Let’s make room for more housing and shopping centers. Where does everyone expect them to go? Their housing has been destroyed. I believe they were here first. Use some common sense people.

By Mark

November 20, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

Wasn’t this covered in a blog last week??

By CTU Director

November 20, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

As Director of CTU, I have Jack Bauer on the case.

He has set up a perimeter (again) and this time they will not get past it.

Claymores, tiger pits with stakes, motion sensitive chain guns, and cluster bombs have had no real affect on coyotes.

It is time to bring in Jim H., he seems to have the right ideas on how to control the predators.

Seriously, they are not going anywhere and the only way to keep the population down is to affect their food source and just plain ole killin’ ‘em…that ain’t happenin’ fast enough.

I have 2 small dogs, a fenced in backyard and keep my rifle loaded with a very bright light attached to it….just in case.

By JohnDenver

November 20, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Saw a large coyote ITP (just off of Roswell Road, in 1950s ranch-style neighborhood) in early 2005 - bigger than my 90lb dog!

By lori

November 20, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

If you’d just put your pets inside at night, you wouldn’t have a problem with the coyotes. They don’t bother people, really, and only the ignorant fear them.

By arman

November 20, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

Um, to all the Cletus folk of Georgia, why don’t ya’ll just bring your pets in at night. I know ya’ll wanna run outside with yer shiny gun ther, and shoot them varmits cause it’s so dag bern awesome but, instead, hows about not leaving a kitten out at night? Who does that anyways? If a coyote got one of my pets, I’d have nobody to blame but myself. They are here, and they are not going anywhere. We pushed them to the metro area, so we have to deal with it. You guys act like they are werewolves or vampires prowling the streets. They are 40 lbs coyotes who chase critters and small pets. Keep your pets safe. Simple as that. Oh, and good luck catching them. I hear they are sooooooooo easy to track and kill. And I highly doubt the kitten in the coyote’s mouth story, unless you were in the deer stand in the am hours before sunlight. They don’t run around with kittens in their mouths while the sun is out. If they did, they’d all be dead.

By arman

November 20, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Um, to all the Cletus folk of Georgia, why don’t ya’ll just bring your pets in at night. I know ya’ll wanna run outside with yer shiny gun ther, and shoot them varmits cause it’s so dag bern awesome but, instead, hows about not leaving a kitten out at night? Who does that anyways? If a coyote got one of my pets, I’d have nobody to blame but myself. They are here, and they are not going anywhere. We pushed them to the metro area, so we have to deal with it. You guys act like they are werewolves or vampires prowling the streets. They are 40 lbs coyotes who chase critters and small pets. Keep your pets safe. Simple as that. Oh, and good luck catching them. I hear they are sooooooooo easy to track and kill. And I highly doubt the kitten in the coyote’s mouth story, unless you were in the deer stand in the am hours before sunlight. They don’t run around with kittens in their mouths while the sun is out. If they did, they’d all be dead.

By arman

November 20, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Um, to all the Cletus folk of Georgia, why don’t ya’ll just bring your pets in at night. I know ya’ll wanna run outside with yer shiny gun ther, and shoot them varmits cause it’s so dag bern awesome but, instead, hows about not leaving a kitten out at night? Who does that anyways? If a coyote got one of my pets, I’d have nobody to blame but myself. They are here, and they are not going anywhere. We pushed them to the metro area, so we have to deal with it. You guys act like they are werewolves or vampires prowling the streets. They are 40 lbs coyotes who chase critters and small pets. Keep your pets safe. Simple as that. Oh, and good luck catching them. I hear they are sooooooooo easy to track and kill. And I highly doubt the kitten in the coyote’s mouth story, unless you were in the deer stand in the am hours before sunlight. They don’t run around with kittens in their mouths while the sun is out. If they did, they’d all be dead.

By puhleez

November 20, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

When humans finally quit paving paradise and building housing developments, strip malls, etc. and consider leaving some green space we will stop seeing things like coyotes and bears in our hoods. WE have destroyed so much natural habitat that the animals have no choice but to adapt and learn to live in our habitats. We’re stupid enough to leave our small pets outside, food outside, etc., easy pickings.

If it becomes an inconvenience to us superior beings, relocate, trap, kill, whatever, as long as we get what we want. All of this superiority and stupidity will be our downfall. As we continue to destroy our environment and the animals we share it with, we are ultimately destroying ourselves.

Didn’t I read somewhere that it was a stupid human idea to re-introduce coyotes into north Georgia…..kind of like the bright idea about planting kudzu…..

By Chris

November 20, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

We’ve had coyotes in our NE inside the perimeter neighborhood for about 3 years. The feral cat population is way down. I hear them either when they’re hunting cats, or when they howl at passing sirens.

By blacksheep

November 20, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Maybe they could build a big fence around the perimeter.

By Bonedaddy

November 20, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Antifreeze in a bucket full of chicken/meat scraps in front of my trail camera. I have killed off many, many coyotes this way. I verify they eat it by looking at the photos.

By puhleez

November 20, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Bonedaddy, You are disgusting and inhumane. Antifreeze is a poison and death is slow and painful. A shotgun would be more humane if you must kill.

By TheJeff

November 20, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

It could be worse, We could have Florida’s Python problem…

By Gary

November 20, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

We’re a sad sad society. The Coyote…..Bear…..Panther,Bobcat etc….were here long before we were. They do in fact have just as much right to be here as we do! The problem for them is they can’t make and build concrete steel and wood dwellings and push us into a smaller area. We’d be in a bad way if they could! It’s like everyone has said….bring your pets in at night! Why the heck would you leave them out anyway? Why, so that they can maybe procreate with other Unspayed and Unneutered Cats and Dogs so that we have more kittens and puppies running loose so that you can then down the road complain that something should be done about all the strays running loose! We create our own environment and we’re responsible for it. It isn’t that difficut to learn to live with the Coyote, not to mention that I’ll bet they also help keep down the population of unwanted Rodent pests that no one likes.

By FREEDOM

November 20, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY 15 MILES SOUTWEST OF GRIFFIN. WE HAVE MANY,MANY HEARDS OF COYOTES AND I JUST LOVE HEARING THEM AT NIGHT RUNNING IN PACKS. I DO NOT THINK THAT THEY ARE AFTER KITTY CATS BUT RATHER DEER, WHICH CERTAINLY NEEDS TO BE THINNED OUT… WHEN IS THE LAST TIME THAT YOU HIT A COYOTE AND IT DONE 3 TO 5 THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE.BESIDES THIS POINT , I SHALL CROSS OVER TO ANOTHER POINT, IN WHICH WOULD BE THAT CATS ARE THE # 1 KILLER OF OUR SOON TO BE , IF ALREADY NOT EXTINCT, BELOVED “QUAIL”…”FREEDOM”

By husky

November 20, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Now is a great time to kill them. when thye have a full winter coat you can get $25 for the pelt from a trapper. Fact is they will have 6 to 7 pups a year and they are all over the place now, they are sprouting up all over the midwest and other places they never used to call home. You can never kill to many of them, it just won’t happen. So everyone use your right to bear arms and go out and get a .223swift with a maglight, and predator call and put the fun back into saturday nights!!!!

By FREEDOM

November 20, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

HUSKY, WHAT IS THE BEST PREDATOR CALL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULL WITH? “FREEDOM”

By arman

November 20, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

husky, you might be retarded. Freedom, I totally agree with you. People who leave their cats out are 1) irresponsible, because they are likely to be preyed upon, and 2) irresponsible, because cats are proficient in killing all types of birds, especially songbirds etc. I don’t really understand why people feel like coyotes need to be killed. $25 for pelt? Is it 1876? Jesus, you must be broke as hell. I’ll lend you a couple bucks if you need it that bad.

By Eric

November 20, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Okay, let me get this straight. You redneck turd-burglars are out there preparing to shoot your rifles at coyotes in the middle of the night. In a suburban area. With guns. In neighborhoods. I know you all think you are Carlos Hatchcock (look him up), but chances are, you morons could quite easily screw up one time and, then, POW, my Daughter who sleeps on the second floor is shot by your stray round. Jumping Jehosophat, are you functionally retarded? Is there a lot of lead in your paint? If I saw you out back with a rifle on my street I’d call the cops on your a* and then happily miss work to testify against you for reckless endangerment. Bowhunters, you guys are probably okay, it’s pretty hard to kill someone inside a house with an errant arrow. Those of you idiots thinking of using firearms in a crowded neighborhood, God help you if you live near me.

By JT

November 20, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Jim H sounds like a really nice fellow. He goes bow hunting in the northern suburbs. I live in the northern suburbs and a few years ago we had an incident where a bow hunter show a six point buck near the Chattahoochee river. Wow!!! aint that great! An animal that had managed to survive in our area that long and this bow hunter took him down. Awesome!! The problem is that the poor creature wasn’t killed, but rather mortally wounded. It wandered around our large subdivision dying for all the children to see. The bow hunter, obviously hunting illegally, was no where to be found. I’ve got no problem with hunting when it’s done for food, but to hunt as this wonderful person obviously did, simply indicates to me that he is lacking in the between-the-legs department and is simply trying to make up for it by wounding an animal and then not taking responsibility for it when the wounded animal goes the its death throes.

By Bonedaddy

November 20, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

puhleez, I have no problem with coyotes dying a slow painful death.

By JT

November 20, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Let me ask all you “kill the coyotes” folks something…..How do you feel about killing elephants, lions, tigers, rhinoceros, hippopatomus, gazelle, giraffe, water buffalo, etc. in Africa? We should kill them all shouldn’t we? After all, they are running around where people live. So, since they are wild animals they should be killed. The dingos might eat a baby or the lion’s might carry away an elderly person. And those rhinos might bulldoze right through some person’s living room.

Use your heads for something other than food intake devices. Man must learn to live with wildlife wherever it exists. Atlanta is no different. But leave it to the Bible belt to answer otherwise. After all, if it is said in the Bible it MUST be true. And we all know God said, “Man has dominion over all the animals” and that according to Joe Baptist means “kill them all as you please” and “make them all extinct if you want because that’s what God says”. But it also says that men must not commit adultry, but how many Baptists do that - how many of your Baptist preachers have committed that sin? But they can be forgiven can’t they? However, when an animal is extinct it can’t forgive itself into existence again.

By puhleez

November 20, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

bonedaddy, may you reap what you sow

By JT

November 20, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Bonedaddy, I hope there’s a special place in Hell for people like you. I’m sure you are a fine fellow. You go to your church every week and pray for God to let you help him smite “all them queers” and all them minorities. The scary part is that you probably have influence, though I have no doubt you’ve never read any book unless you were forced to. But you’re a “great American” and that’s the American way (and especially the Southern way and especially the Southern Baptist way).

By blah, blah, blah

November 20, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Man’s belief that he is superior and has the right to do whatever in the name of the almighty $ is responsible for the problems in the world today.

Over population; introducing non-indigenous wildlife, flora and fauna; eco-system destruction; over crowding; pollution; over development and an intolerance for wildlife that gets in your way.

Why don’t we all just come out shooting until there’s nothing left standing……hmmm guess that’s kind of what some folks are doing……

By Nan

November 20, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Coyotes weren’t introduced anywhere; they’ve simply expanded their natural range following the extirpation of timber wolves in eastern North America. They’re smart, they’re adaptable, they eat feral cats, raccoons, rats, and the occasional toy poodle — I don’t see a problem. If you don’t want them cruising through your yard, don’t put out stuff to tempt them to visit, like dishes of dog food or open garbage cans.

By dave

November 20, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Coyotes are predators. They serve a function and are a very valubale part of the food chain. Removing them from a neighborhood does no good. Another will come and takes its place. Hunting to “control animal populations” is a horrible “un-natural practice. A coyote or wolf will kill and feast on the weak and the sickly, thereby keeping the populations of other animals healthier. An idiot with a trap or a gun can not possibly know which animal is sick or weaker. For it is he who hunts with a gun or bow and arrow who is weak. If your dog or cat gets taken away and becomes a feast for a predator, it is normal and natural. Who are we as humans to decide that some animals are pets, others are pests? Keep you cats indoors (guess you don’t mind that THEY kill and eat smaller animals outside). If you have a dog, put up a fence. Just like your dog can’t get out, they can’t get in. If not….Fluffy or Fido is fair game and belongs on the dinner plate. This is being written by one who lives in the No. GA. mountains and has 7 rescue dogs. They live in my house, they have a huge fenced area. They are safe, the coyotes hunt for small prey. Just what they were designed to do. Sad how man once again intefers with nature. Man always messes it up. Every time.

By cate

November 20, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

How can anyone leave a dog out at night? They’re family members, not yard ornaments.

By problemsolver

November 20, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

I say declare open season on the coyotes and feed them to the homeless.

By frustratedlib

November 20, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Wah, wah, wah. I love hearing folks complain about the “poor animals” and their rights, pets are people too, etc. It’s the same segment of society that claims humans are just another mammal that sprouted from the mud millions of years ago. They wouldn’t dream of harming a coyote or a cat, but have absolutely no problem with the “right to choose.” Your arguments will never hold water with me because of the sheer hypocrisy, and I don’t care if it relates to animals, global warming, whatever. Please choose another angle to make your case.

By frustratedlib

November 20, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

And yes, if you are going to hold to the simple theory that man is just another animal, we are superior. Don’t argue that coyotes have a “right” to do what they do and that man doesn’t. Please you liberal cry babies, argue your point some other way. You can’t have it both ways.

By Aunt Leo

November 20, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

Please educate yourselves. Go to any of these websites to find out about coyotes, their habits, habitats and why your attempts at extermination are futile.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheetfaqnotice/fs_wscoyote.pdf

http://www.world-science.net/othernews/ 060105_coyotefrm.htm

You’ll have to consult another site to determine why some of you like to watch animals suffer.

By JT

November 20, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

frustratedlib - I would encourage YOU to “choose another angle” than simply the Biblical one. It’s a book! So is the Koran. Yet you don’t worship it and I’m sure you condemn those who do. What about the Torah? It’s a holy book too. What of the teachings of Confuscius?

You Christian religious zealots (and I’m a Christian, just not a Bible-thumping one) think yours is the only religion and that it IS the only right one. Think about the absurdity of that.

The Bible says “man shall have dominion over the animals”, but gee, it doesn’t say man shall kill every thing he doesn’t like and everything that is a predator.

I suppose you subscribe to the belief that we should kill all sharks because Man has a right to swim in the ocean without any possible threat of being eaten or bitten by a shark…..Isn’t your logic as illogically linear as that?

By frustratedlib

November 20, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

Interesting that JT draws a “Christian conclusion” or is so loving that I am referred to as a religious zealot (hold on while I thump my bible). I guess I’ll accept your persecution for now. Did anyone mention the bible? Koran, Torah, Scientology, or Kung Fu (I know, I just didn’t want to type Confuscius..hmmm, did it anyway)- if that’s your thing (it’s not mine), it doesn’t bother me in the least. And don’t you just love how JT responds “and I’m a Christian?” I really would have expected you to come out with some Republican bashing instead. You hear what you want to hear and that’s it. Thanks, you have proven my theory. Other opinions and open mindedness apply and are welcome and appreciated as long they match your’s. As far as the sharks go, I wouldn’t go hunting them, but I also wouldn’t go chasing after fishermen in a green raft to force my values upon them either. That was my “angle.” I merely intended to point out the hypocrisy of the “animal rights” movement. It only applies to certain animals. Pass the turkey……

By arman

November 20, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

frustratedlib, it’s kind of silly to assume I believe in one thing and, therefore, if I do hold a particular view on one issue (which I may not), then that one view invalidates my views on another if they in any way conflict in your eyes. It seriously makes no sense. With that logic, if you like animals, such as dogs, you have to be a pascifist. Concurrently, you would have to be anti-war, vegan, etc etc. It’s goofy logic. Sooooo, if you are pro-life, I assume you are also a pascifist, and wholly against the war in Iraq? See how stupid that sounds?

By frustratedlib

November 20, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

Yes. I see how stupid you sound. JK. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless (just had to throw that one in too).

By libssuck

November 20, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Hey, frustrated lib - SHUT UP. Humans suck, period. Get over it, go to the abortion debate blog and get out of this one, you’re in the WRONG SUBJECT!

By arman

November 20, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

Frustratedlib:

I kind of regretted throwing “stupid” in there. Wasn’t trying to dumb down the debate. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. I’m not a religious guy, but God Bless doesn’t bother me, so God Bless as well.

By wiley coyote

November 20, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

We have a pack in Oakhurst (Decatur)

I love it!! I purposely leave food out and look forward to having the whole pack move into my garage. Charge about $1 a person - good money.

By Vernon Jones

November 20, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

I promise to eradicate all coyotes if elected to The Senate.

Please vote for me, Vernon Jones for U.S. Senate.

I can turn GA into a little piece of heaven like I have my district.

By Sherry Baby

November 20, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

I had a run in with a coyote once, he ambushed me as I was walking along a trail, so I sent away for an acme coyote trap and it came immediately within seconds. I spent all day putting it together and well, that coyote ended up at the bottom of a deep ravine. Thank you Acme.

By JT

November 20, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this

I live in rural north Georgia on a small family farm. We have enough problems with coyotes without having more “relocated” here. Every time I lose a new born calf to the coyotes, I come closer to having to give up the farm to the developer; more pavement, less greenspace. For the past few years, these creatures have taken the profit out of my operation. Don’t pretend that the coyotes only eat small domestic, sick, and weak animals. They prey on anything available. Here’s a novel idea, keep the suburban coyotes in the suburbs. Keep the urban coyotes in the urban area. We will keep our rural coyotes here and deal with them accordingly.

By S

November 21, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

This is utterly unbelievable, no wait I am in the South, so it is expected…I hear the dumbest comments from people and editors.

Kill coyotes? Drive them away? This is their home moron. They cannot help it if builders are destroying the woods and their hunting grounds. Ifyou had no home, you’d be out there scavaging and hunting, too. Big deal, they are God’s creatures, too. They have a right to prowl around. I think that they are cool. Keep your darned pets inside at night and that will solve the problem. Duh!

By ZT

November 21, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

The coyotes live in about 3 acres of woods on the back side of the Arlington National Cemetary off Mt. Vernon. There are a bunch of them.

By jt2

November 21, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

It is kind of difficult to bring the cows into my house or even a barn every night for that matter. They are not pets. Duh! Common sense is at a premium.

By dave

November 21, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

maybe man should not raise cows…. if you want milk….ask your wife for some. cows milk if for their calfs….raising another animal as if it were wheat or corn….is a disgrace of man. Man….the ONE animal that thinks he OWNS ALL OTHER animals and can decide how to rule nature.

By voteObama

November 25, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this

point #1: shooting high powered rifles in high populated areas…do you smoke cigarettes when pouring gasoline? point #2: animals are important (though, sometimes you have to think outside the box to manage them)…think about waking up to no birds chirping or no squirrels at your local park.

lets face it…we all pick and choose which animals we like and dislike. the fact is that once we understand them, we will not fear them.