Coyotes in Umstead
While reading today’s News & Observer story on the appearance of coyotes in North Carolina’s Triangle region, I was taken aback when I came across the statement by Umstead State Park ranger Bob Davies that “no one has reported seeing them in the park.”
That’s simply not true.
About three years ago, I called Davies’ office and reported seeing a coyote in Umstead. I was running there after work one day near dusk, along the gravel bridle trail that starts at the unofficial park entrance near the intersection of Reedy Creek and Trenton roads in West Raleigh. I reached the water pump not far from the airport overlook and stopped to stretch when I felt someone was watching me. I turned around to look, and at the edge of the woods stood what I believed to be a coyote – or possibly a small wolf – watching me curiously.
Surprised and delighted, I blurted out, “Well, hello!”
The shy creature immediately turned tail and scampered back into the forest. The run back to my car seemed to pass in a moment, so buoyed was I by the thrill of sighting an animal so relatively rare to these parts. When I got home, I immediately called the park office to tell them what I had seen and to ask if they had had other sightings.
I don’t recall the name of the ranger I spoke with, but he insisted I did not see a coyote. It must have been a dog, he said. No, I argued, I’m a dog lover, and I certainly know the difference between a dog – even a feral dog – and a wild animal. But despite my protestations, the ranger refused to take me seriously, so I finally gave up and got off the phone.
One wonders how many other reports were similarly dismissed over the years…
posted by Sue Sturgis @ 8:42 PM
89 comments
89 Comments:
In 1996 I ran the Umstead 100 Mile Trail Race. During the deep hours of a moonlit night, I was running (weaving?) alone along a narrow trail in the heart of the park, about 70 miles into the race. Passing through the shadows of the trees, I jerked back to (more-or-less) full alertness with the sound of a howl echoing in my mind. Sleep deprivation, I said to my myself. There are no wolves in Umstead State Park.
But maybe there was a coyote...
I came across your blog while searching for writing opportunities in the Raleigh area. I read with much interest the comments on Coyote sightings in he region. On one of my first visits to the area my wife and I spotted two coyotes on Route 1 somewhere between Wake Forest and Henderson snarling up traffic. In my mind it stands to reason that where there are two coyotes there must be more in the sorrounding region. Keep up the good work and I'll be reading more of your blog to get an understanding of the eco issues here in NC.
Hiya, I came across your post while looking for something completely different (campaign contributions to Sam Ellis, actually, for an American Government class), and it caught my eye. In the heart of Preston (a well-to-do development in Cary), in the wee hours of the morning (I do believe it was around 5:30 AM) I saw what appeared to be a small fox or coyote trotting along the side of the road near a wooded spot. After living in california for a few years and seeing quite a number of coyotes, I was almost sure this was what it was.. but then common sense came in. I didn't realise coyotes lived in North Carolina, but it certainly makes more sense than a fox (it wasn't colored like a fox at all..)
Coyotes have arrived in the Willow Springs area of southern Wake county. Nightly howlings becoming more common. As of spring 2005.
I live in Moore county and while walking in some woods near Pinehurst, I cam across 3 Coyotes apparently grazing in a small oat field. I froze not more than 30 yards from the nearest one. It quickly saw me, turned and ran wwith the others following into the dense forest. I have read that there are some red wolves in NC as well. The animals I saw seemed pretty large and I guess it is possible they were red wolves, but more than likely just big well fed coyotes. This is the third time I have seen coyotes in Moore county over the last 6 years. The first was at Moore county airport where I saw one crossing the runway. Again I saw one a year or two ago scampering through residential Pinehurst at night. They enjoy eating small pets especially cats so be careful about leaving them out at night.
On 6/18/05 about 8:30 pm I spotted what I believe was a coyote North of Durant Road between Falls of Neuese and US 1
I did'nt think there was Coyotes in NC, but there is one that got hit by a car in Goldsboro. Someone told me about it and I checked it out for myself.
On July 24, 2005 I saw two large animals run across Trenton Road at around 9:00 A.M. They were very close to me. This was close to I-40 but on the opposite side of 40 from Umstead. I think they were coyotes. They looked much bigger than my 20 pound dog. They were grey and not red at all.
While riding my mountain bike up the Cedar Ridge trail this morning between 9 and 10, I spotted a dog like animal trotting along the top of trail where it begins to flatten out. I got within 15 yards behind it before it turned to see me, then dart into the woods. It stood taller than my chocolate lab but was very narrow bodied. It had a smooth reddish, brown coat with a long semi-bushy tail. It's speed was quite impressive. I have seen coyotes in Colorado several times but it didn't match the color or the build. It looked as if it weighed about half of my dog's weight which would put it in the 30lb range. I had at least a 4-5 second look at it and I'm sure it wasn't a stray dog.
While riding my mountain bike up the Cedar Ridge trail this morning between 9 and 10, I spotted a dog like animal trotting along the top of trail where it begins to flatten out. I got within 15 yards behind it before it turned to see me, then dart into the woods. It stood taller than my chocolate lab but was very narrow bodied. It had a smooth reddish, brown coat with a long semi-bushy tail. It's speed was quite impressive. I have seen coyotes in Colorado several times but it didn't match the color or the build. It looked as if it weighed about half of my dog's weight which would put it in the 30lb range. I had at least a 4-5 second look at it and I'm sure it wasn't a stray dog.
Local hunters say that there are coyotes in Umstead and surrounding area. They look to be taller than dogs.
The eastern subspecies of coyote is normally larger than its western counterpart.
This is attributed to its crossbreeding with the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in the northeastern part of its range.
Average Size
Length: 3-4 ft.
Height: 2 ft. at shoulder
Weight: 20-44 lbs., with
females a few pounds less.
http://www.ncwildlife.org
My dad and I heard a bunch of howling about 100 yards behind our house tonight. We live right on the edge of Umstead Park near the Reedy Creek/Trenton entrance. I'm convinced it was coyotes, and listened to a sound clip of a coyote on a website and it sounded just like them, but it could have been wild dogs. Do dogs howl and make a racket like that? By the way, tomorrow night is a full moon, could that have anything to do with the activity?
10/30/05---Off of Davis Dr. tonight (Morrisville) 2 what appeared to be wolf's crossed in front of my vehicle. I rode to where i thought they would come out of the woods at a new office complex under costruction and 2 huge wolf's or coyotes appeared walking in the parking lot. As I moved my car closer they began to run. these were huge animals and there was no mistaking them for a dog or fox. gray in color w/ bushy tails.
I live in Bahama N.C. in a very rural area. Last night while sleeping with my windows open I woke around midnight because my cats were whining. They were sitting in the windowsill next to the bed. I rolled over and looked out and there was a coyote just sitting about 30 ft from the window staring at it. I turned on the porch light and he ran but I am sure it was a coyote. Looked about 40-50lb's or so with a bushy tale. I couldn't tell the color. I don't know if there was another or not. It ran with that bounce like trot. Much bigger than a fox.
Eric
Bahama, N.C.
My wife found this blog this evening, as she was looking for information on coyotes. The reason she was looking, is because I believe I saw one in Umstead State Park on Saturday (11/26/05).
It was near dusk, and I entered the park at the Graylyn entrance. The bridle path goes under the powerlines about a mile in. Roughly halfway down the hill from that point, I saw what I thought was a large dog, cross from the powerline side of the path (on the left) to the woods (on the right). At the same time, a group of MTBers were coming up the hill. They saw the animal, made a few comments (which I couldn't hear clearly), and continued their climb. After they rode past, I jogged down the hill a bit, and saw that the animal was still just 20 feet or so off the bridle path.
My first reaction was that it was a wolf. But I didn't think wolves had made it this far east yet. Then I figured it must be a big german shepherd of some sort. It did not have a collar. And in my 12 years or so of running in Umstead, the only dogs I ever encountered had owners nearby (must use... all... strength... to refrain from getting on dogs-off-leash soapbox...).
The animal did not seem intimidated by me. We made eye contact. I did not approach the animal or try to talk to it. He seemed as curious as I was. It was at that point that I thought it might be a coyote, rather than a dog. Especially since I had read about coyote sightings on and near the RDU runway (Umstead State Park borders the airport to the west). Something definitely seemed different about it. Maybe it was the yellow eyes?
I decided that maybe it would be best to head back up the hill, rather than cause any kind of challenge if I attempted to run past it. Coyotes are territorial, right? I took a few steps back up the hill, and noticed a walking stick-sized limb on the side of the path. Caveman mode kicked in, and I picked it up - just in case. I turned to look back down the hill, and the animal was now back on the bridle path. There was also another MTBer coming up the hill.
I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that perhaps this was a dog after all, and his owner had just now caught back up to him. Before I could call out to the rider, to ask about "his dog", he did the same exact thing. "Hey, is that your dog?", he shouted. "NO!", I yelled back. And before I could follow-up with another question (like - "did you see the animal anywhere else on your ride?"), the MTBer pulled a u-turn and headed back down the hill. "Uh oh" I thought, not only was the dog not his, but even HE didn't want to challenge it for passage of the trail.
My inner caveman spoke to me at this point "turn around, run up hill, go back to cave... oh, and keep nice stick - just in case". I turned around and started running back up the hill. For whatever reason, I decided to glance over my shoulder. Well, whaddya know, old yellow eyes was following me. "Maybe it really is just a curious looking, lost dog after all?", I thought. My inner caveman proceeded to club Mr. Animal Lover over the head. I picked up the pace.
At this point, I had crossed back under the power lines. I was somewhat surprised that yellow eyes continued to trail me, beyond what I thought might be his territory under the power lines. He didn't make any effort to close the gap, but he definitely stayed the course.
And he was there for the 1/2 mile, to where North Turkey Creek trail intersects Graylyn. He didn't make it all the way to the intersection, but that was the last time I looked over my shoulder and saw him. I figured he either lost interest in me, or had gotten past his comfort zone for leaving the powerlines.
I finished the 1/2 mile back to the gate, where I put down the stick and stretched out a bit. I kept looking down the trail, half expecting the animal emerge from the darkness. He never appeared, but I did catch up with that first group of MTBers in the parking area. We all agreed that it "must have been a german shepherd of some sort - might have been looking for his owner", "too big for a coyote", "coyotes avoid people", etc.
So, today I exhanged a few emails with one of the very helpful, and always cool Umstead State Park rangers. I was informed that there have been coyote sightings at dusk - and along the Cedar Ridge Trail. Once I heard that, I realized it was very likely that the MTBers and I had indeed encountered a coyote and not a dog. The spot that we saw the coyote is only about 1/4 mile from Cedar Ridge trail - it's a straight shot up the hill that the powerlines follow.
The ranger also informed me that coyotes will avoid humans, even in an urban park (such as Umstead). One of the dangers is that if an animal has rabies, it can go through a phase where it will not avoid humans (when it normally would), even if it has no other visible signs of illness.
My wife and I found information on the web which also suggests that coyotes have "followed people for miles" out in the back-country, simply out of curiosity. Coyote attacks on humans are also very rare. Most occur when people feed them over some period of time, and the coyotes associate them with a food source. The coyotes also do not feel threatened by the humans at that point, so they become just another tasty link in the food chain.
If you're still reading this far, I'll also throw in that everything I've read indicated that to ward off a coyote attack, you should make yourself appear as big and ferocious to the coyote as possible. Wave your arms, yell in a deep voice, throw rocks. It is also recommended that you do not attempt to turn and run - rather continue looking at and threatening the coyote as much as you can. In most cases, this will convince the coyote that you are in fact, at least a link or two higher in the food chain. I guess the whole "don't turn and run" thing is to prevent you from looking like prey, and triggering the coyote's hunting reflex.
I believe the coyote was not at all threatened by the bikers or me. He probably sees people all the time. I also don't think the animal was rabid, but hey, I'm no Marlin Perkins. It was dusk, he was probably on the move, and who knows, maybe he was looking for a handout. I guess that is one of the worst things that could happen... for people to start feeding these animals. Based on what I've read, that seems to be when the troubles start. So listen to your inner caveman... be aware of your surroundings, carry a big stick if need-be, and tell Mr. Animal Lover to bring the powerbars and trail-mix back to the cave, instead of feeding the curious looking dog with yellow eyes.
Great blog on coyotes in Umstead. I also saw what I believed to be a coyote in Umstead, standing in the middle of the B/B trail between the airport overlook and the unofficial entrance off Old Reedy Creek Rd (by Black Creek Greenway). This was about 10:30 am on Wednesday, 12/14/05.
I picked up two big sticks that conveniently were laying in the road and continued to run forward (toward the critter). It immediately ran into the woods.
One thing I would like to know, if anyone out there knows, do they run in packs? My daughter says they do not, unless they are mating. I kept fearing that I would look behind me and see 4 or 5 of them coming after me. Of course, at the time I thought it was a wolf, but after reading this blog and talking with a friend, I am sure now it was a coyote. Also, my daughter immediately told me "No way a wolf, Mom. It had to be a coyote." Clearly my 10 year old daughter knows more about this sort of thing than I do!
They are all over NC. I live in Raeford, NC. My son come back to the house quickly last night after running into 4 while walking my pitbull.
I LIVE IN THE ASHEBORO AREA AND FOR THE LAST YEAR WERE PINEVIEW ST. CROSSES 220 BYPASS, I HAVE SEEN 4 COYOTES RUN OVER. MY WIFE AND I WERE GOING TO ATTEND CHURCH LAST FEB. AND AS WE WERE TURNING ON TO PINEVIEW I THOUGHT I SAW A DEER IN THE RD. AS WE GOT CLOSER IT WAS A FULL SIZE COYOTE HAD TO BE 50.LBS.
Probably nobody's been reading this site lately, but I figured I'd post something. Back in the Summer of 1998, I was walking after dark w/ a friend in Eno River St. Park (Orange and Durham Co. line). We heard what sounded like a pack of dogs yipping....then I remembered having heard the same thing while camping in Jackson Hole, WY...coyotes!
I lived in Mass. for 30+ years, and although I never saw a coyote there (nor here in NC, for that matter), they're all over the state, and have been since the 60's or 70's. I've seen plenty of them in AZ. To me, they don't really look like German Shepherds, or any other dog, for that matter. They look like a small gray wolf (tan, but not as rusty as a red wolf). In the Northeast, they can get pretty big--big enough to tackle whitetails.
I know that coyotes are in NC for 2 reasons: a.) some were imported for hunting purposes, and b.) some migrated across the TN/NC border.
While I'm not frightened of them, they can and will tackle small domestic dogs and cats. Rumor has it that where the coyote lives in NC, the bobwhite quail populations have bounced back a bit. Why? Because coyotes have killed the feral cats, and they generally don't tolerate foxes in their territory. Score a big plus for the coyote....the feral cat has been a real, unfortunate (and avoidable) problem.
I live in Johnston County and heard a coyote last night on a large farm adjacent to our property. No mistaking it was a coyote. I have also heard a bobcat. Eeriest sound I've ever heard.
A friend of mine encountered a coyote on the greenway north of crabtree today, May 1, 2006 in the morning before 8:00 am while walking her 2 dogs. She turned and had her husband pick her up at crabtree, rather than walk towards it. she said it just sared at her
and did not move in her direction. She also has heard they attack dogs but not people.
I'm guessing I saw a coyote crossing the road while on my way in to work this morning (5/22/06). Appeared to be about twice as tall as a fox, mottled coat in the colors of a German Shepherd, pointy snout, and bushy tail. This was in southern Orange county on Damascus Church Road.
I WAS ON U.S. 64 HEADING WEST ABOUT 4 MILES FROM SILER CITY. IT WAS 3PM IN THE AFTERNOON ON 5/30/06. I CAME OVER THE CREST OF A HILL AND THOUGHT I SAW A SMALL DEER STANDING IN THE INSIDE LANE OF THE ROAD. AS I GOT CLOSER I SAW IT WAS AN ADULT COYOTE, IT NEVER EVEN TURNED TO LOOK AT MY TRUCK IT WAS AS IF IT WAS LOCKED ON TO SOMETHING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I WAS ABOUT 50YDS FROM IT, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TOOK OF AFTER WHAT IT WAS WATCHING. IT WAS VERY FAST, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST SIGHTING I HAVE SEEN I LIVE IN ASHEBORO AND HAVE SEEN THEM OVER IN THAT AREA TOO. THE THING THAT I NOTICE MOST IS THE LONG TALES THEY HAVE. I WOULD GUESS THE WIEGHT OF THIS ONE AT 40LBS.
Tonight, my wife and I saw what at first appeared to be a fox running across Cole Mill Rd in NW Durham near the Eno River. But at second glance, we could see it was larger than a fox. In the summer's evening light around 7 pm, we could clearly make out the silhouette of a coyote darting across the road, tail streaming out behind.
July 28, 2006
We do not live near Raleigh, but I know Umstead from my school days. I farm and live in a rural near the Va border on a 1700 acre farm above Greensboro N.C. 3 have been sighted here on my farm and 1 killed during turkey season as it came in to a call. Last night my son and I saw an animal that was waist high, apx 100-125lbs, grey in color. We were fooling with a car and didn't pay much attention as it strolled by 8 ft from us. It had what appeared to be a small red collar around its neck. I later thought about it, and started doing some research and I believe what I saw was a wolf. I had been told by my neighbors that a large "animal" has been seen on numerous occasions in the area. It made my 85 Lb Boxer look small. Strange indeed.
At about 9:30 am today, returning to Raleigh from Durham, I saw a coyote on the Durham Freeway, closer to Durham than to I-40.
I'm a dog lover, and I know 100% it was a coyote. It looked like it had just crossed the road.
It was very thin.
I have a picture of a coyote taken in Umstead Park here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/73766914@N00/228358181/in/pool-_raleigh_/
Let me know if you have any trouble viewing it.
Someone at the Natural History Museum ID'd it for me after seeing the picture. As soon as it was aware of my presence it took off. My guess would be people are their greatest fear.
there are coyotes all throughout n.c., and therefore i do not think it strange that they may at times frequent umstead state park and the airport region. i am a member of durham county wildlife club which is off of hopson rd in R.T.P. between a.t. alexander and miami blvd.. the caretaker of the club as well as some other members claim to see and hear coyotes routinely. a friend of mine deer hunts extensively in chatham county and coyotes have been seen and in some case shot there from time to time. i talked to a game warden this week and he claims that they are getting more and more common in wake, durham, orange and surrounding counties.
Someone asked if coyotes run in packs....they can, although usually it's a mated pair patrolling their turf. Then, their kids may join them to form a pack.
I think it may be a mistake for folks to shoot coyotes, because they seem to have larger litters when they're put under pressure by hunters. Word of warning for pet owners: my niece's dog was attacked by a coyote in Tucson. Don't leave your pets out at night if you suspect that there are coyotes in your 'hood.
Just today my boss and I were on the Durham Freeway at around noon and both saw an animal we believed to be a wolf. It just stood there so we got a really good look at it. We tried to talk ourselves out of actually seeing a wolf, when a car caught up with us a few miles down the road draws our attention by waving at us. We roll down the window. The passenger, with his eyes bugging out of his head, is screaming at us, "Did you see that wolf?! That was just crazy!". We agreed and carried on. The dog like creature appeared to be about 50-70 lbs and was gray/white in color. This was about 1 mile before the Alston Ave exit on 147.
December 12, 2006
I heard that there were coyotes in Johnston County but wasn't sure until last night. As I was turning over to get comfortable in bed, I heard a howl like I had never heard before. I woke my wife and told her to listen. We were both wondering if it was a coyote because it was unlike anything we had ever heard before. When I got to work today, I did a search on the computer for info. regarding coyotes. One sight had recorded a coyotes' sounds of communication. It was a recording identical to what we heard last night, a few quick yelps followed by a long, destinctive howl. That occurred for appr. 5 mins around 1:30 am and then again this morning around 7:30 am. We live in a very wooded area.
Today I saw a dead animal on I-40 west not too far from the airport. I feel strongly that it was a red wolf. I hope someone will go investigate. After many years of encounters with coyotes in California, I can assure you that this was not a dog and seemed to have a nicer coat and bigger body than the coyotes I knew.
i'm going to start hunting coyotes - something to do after deer season. save someone's kitty cat.
I live with my boyfriend outside of hillsborough in orange county. At 5:30 every morning for the past week or so our indoor beagle starts barking and we hear coyotes at the far edge of our neighbors property near the woods. The sound is almost like a yipping and they howl occasionally....i believe they must have a regular route they travel each morning and that's why we've been hearing them at the same time. Also, one of our neighbors has a wildlife camera set up in the woods on a motion detector and he has several shots of coyotes. Apperantly, they are present in every county in NC.
I live in walkertown, North carolina. And i live near a cow pasture. I and some of my friends went through the woods just walking and come across trails and a few dens too. Also the scary thing is that there at least 8 cow skeletons and fur from them every where!! Its all scary but I and my friends have been investigating it.We steel have not seen the animals themselves but there is evidence every where. If its not a coyote then what is it? Walkertown, NC.
April 28, 2007
We live in Smithfield NC. Last weekend I was on our screened porch..it was about 3:30pm. All of a sudden a large animal ran past our porch and into our chain link fence. It then ran through our bushes and into our neighbors yard and disappeared. It was gray in color..had a bushy tail and a head like a dog. At first I thought it was a fox..but it was much to large for a fox and it's head looked more like a dog. Coyote!!! I had no idea coyotes lived in NC! But after reading these comments and other things on the internet I now know they do!! We have 2 cats...one is an indoor/outdoor cat the other is totally an outdoor cat (not without trying to get it to come inside). I'm frantic! I'm very worried about their safety! Monday I plan to call Animal Control to see if they can do anything. This morning we found fur on both our driveway and our front porch steps. Like maybe rabbit?? This is very disturbing to me..as I am a big animal lover..but would prefer that an animal such as a coyote would not make it's home in south Smithfield..right in town!!
This has been a very interesting blog. I live in Zebulon, just east of Raleigh, and I believe there is a coyote living around the HWY 39 exit off 264W. My finance' saw this animal a week or so ago and thought it was a coyote. She mentioned that it was limping on it's front left paw. On my way home last night, I saw what I believe to be, the same animal. It was way too big to be a fox. It was colored like a German Shepard, but narrow like others have described. I am going to keep my camera in the truck and try to snap a picture of this fella hopefully before he take a stroll across 264 and meets a passing car. I'll post my findings.
5/31/07
I also live in the Zebulon area around Hopkins. Last week around dusk I caught a glimpse of what looked like a tall, slender fox. After some research I came to the conclusion that it was a coyote. I have a couple of rabbits in a cage in my back yard and I was concerned but I figured it was well off the ground and protected by wire. Plus there is an overabundance of wild rabbits in my back yard so I figured they were safe. Well I was wrong. This morning my teenage daughter found one of her beloved pets mangled in the back yard. The coyote is my #1 suspect. It bit a hole clean through the wire and snatched our rabbit. I hope I get the opportunity to meet with him again...but gotta go now and put up a fence.
Yesterday, 7-14-07, I paddled my canoe on Crabtree Creek from Lake Crabtree down to Crabtree Valley Mall. C. Creek runs 5.4 miles through Umstead, and paddling lets you access areas of the park rarely seen by people. About 2 miles into Umstead, I heard a noise in the brush on the right bank, about 40 feet above me. I turned towards the sound and immediately locked eyes with a beautiful, sandy grey colored coyote. He held my stare for a couple of seconds, then darted back into the brush. I'm not surprised that we have coyotes in Umstead. From C Lake to South of Ebeneezer Church Rd, I must have seen 25 deer and many, many otters. I assume the coyotes would make use of this food supply. BTW, if you decide to do this paddle trip, be prepared for lots of downed trees, and a lot of drag overs and portages. With a flow of 37 CFS, it took me over 6 hours to cover 5.4 miles, but it was well worth it. The section from Lake C. to Duraleigh Rd. was beautiful. Once you near the Mall area, it's just disgusting.
Saw a coyote last night (7/22/07) while walking my dog at Centennial Campus in Raleigh...Actually heard it first (sounded like a wacky, prehistoric bird call), then stumbled on it while crossing a parking lot...Guessing it was an adult male, as it was probably 40-50 lbs (but looked significantly bigger)...Beautiful animal - although I was a little concerned that it might be mildly interested in my own dog as a late night treat given he's an old, semi-blind, bright white Eskimo Spitz...
Just too bad that NCSU has started destroying the forest at Centennial to build their new (and desperately needed I'm sure) golf course...
Hi i live in a rural area in walkertown,nc. About 3 weeks ago I and my younger brother were walking back from a thicket not far from my house on a railroad and across the road there are 3 house with one dog in a cage. it was about 8:00 pm and we heard a very long and eary howl! the kids that were outside playing ran inside scared! We listened and across to my neck of the woods there were about 3-4 yips and barks answering back to the one across the road! it was all scary but it had to have been coyotes! the wildlife i have in my area are gray fox, red fox,bobcat, and a lot of deer but coyotes are new! And while im typing about 1 week ago on the same railroad I and by brother witnessed 3 deer cross in front of us it was beautiful, but the next morning there were odd 3 inch. tracks leading right behind the deer traks and droppings also. The best evidence of a coyote was the stride length between the four paw prints it was about 16 inches. Way to big to bee a fox! So i called the nc. wildlife commision and they confirmed it could have been coyotes. There are sighns all around that coyotes are here like for instants my nabighors small fountain in her garden keeps getting drank almost to the bottom, strange. The most recent but odd sighting ive had is an odd large black cat was in our feild. I saw it first then asked my mom to check it out. it was about 2-2.5 feet in hight and its tail was long and the entire body was black! it was a strange animal. too large to be a house cat or a bobcat so what was it? I never saw it again. odd. But ill keep on posting about the strange wildlife here in nc. 8/20/07.
8/20/07 I live in Shelby, NC (Cleveland County, about 40 miles west of Charlotte). We've spotted a coyote the last 2 days cutting across our yard, going into the woods. Tonight it was running down the middle of the road. It was small (bigger than a fox, but smaller than a german shepherd) and extremely thin, light tan in color, and ran with a dog-like lope. Foxes normally don't come out during the day, and are more cat-like in their movements. Also, coyotes have a black-tipped tail.
We've lived here 9 years and have seen all kinds of wildlife in our yard, but this is the first coyote. We live very close to town, but have an area of thick woods surrounding us. I don't have pets that go out, but I do have children, so the only thing I'm concerned about is rabies. This one did not appear afraid of people at all.
I would like to hear of other sightings in this area. I could not find much on the internet about NC sightings; I assume that's why everyone is posting on here.
I live just outside of Hillsborough on about 12 acres of relatively wooded land. My house backs right up against the woods and while trying to get to sleep last night I heard quite a disturbance in the woods just behind my bedroom. It sounded as if a pack of dogs were attacking something. After the original noise, there was quite a bit of howling (very unlike the average dog). The farmers behind me have mentioned coyotes in the past but up until now I have only seen fox, deer, skunks, turkeys, and the occasional rogue bull on my property. I say up until now because as I left for work this morning, I see a rather large but dead coyote at the end of my driveway in the middle of Miller Road.
I was just wondering if anyone else have seen coyotes in the upper portion of walkertown near stokes county border? anyone with sightings right back to this page.
Thanks everyone.
Found the blog about a week ago, and while driving home from work I saw 2 coyotes off talley rd. in forsyth county. oddest looking things i have ever seen. Does anyone know of exotic animal trappers because i hvae a small cat should I be worried Thanks,9/11/07
Thanks bloger for the update of talley rd. keep on bloging!!
hi i live on mecum rd. i saw three coyotes cros the street about two weeks ago.it was about 735 inthe morning thanks
I just came back from Cedar Creek in Raleigh. I had been there a few weeks ago when I saw what I thought was a wolf. Though I knew didn't believe there were any wolves in the area, it's what it looked like, except for it's unusually bushy tail. Tonight I was walking back from fishing in the pitch black trying to find the trail, I about 20 yards away there was a rustling in the brush and about 30 seconds of howls. After listening to a bunch of audio clips of what it could be I realized it was, without a doubt, a coyote, and so was the animal I had seen there a few weeks previously. I just didn't realize we had coyotes here so never thought to check out pictures.
I work in the UNCC/Research Park area in Charlotte in a slightly wooded area and tonight (10-13-07) while on lunch, I was walking in the parking lot about 7:45 pm, when I heard a coyote howling and then another one about 100 yards away, answered with a strange howl. This went on for about 5 minutes. I never saw them. Several months ago, another co-worker was outside and stated that she heard what sounded like a "pack" of wild dogs, barking and marking weird yipping sounds, running through the woods around us, and that she of course, lost no time in getting back inside the building. I have heard the deer population was getting pretty crowded up and down the east coast and someone "thought" it was a good idea to bring coyotes from out west in order to thin the deer population. I don't EVEN want to know what they will bring in to thin out the coyote population!
Hey everyone I just moved into stokes county from raleigh. I have seen coyotes in raleigh but no where near as many as I have seen in stokes. I have only lived here for around a month and I have seen 12 already! My most recent sighting was actually this morning. I pulled out of my drive way on baily church rd. on my way into walnut cove and just as I eased out of my drive way 4 coyotes raced out in front of my car. And it looked like they were chasing a small deer. poor little thing. I am a little scared for my sons safety. Because he plays in the woods behind our house all the time. By everyone.
hi,i live in forsyth county and i saw two coyotes cross my rd. I live on dennis rd. i thout it was a wolf it was odd though.i need a trapper because i have a cat.if anybody knows please help.
hey, this morning when i was getting ready for school i heard a bunch of coyotes (i'm convinced that they're coyotes, knowing that they live in every county of NC)yipping and howling and making a huge racket in the forest near my house. they scared me half to death!!!!
Hi everyone, I live in forsyth county, last night there was a news broadcast about a large cattle farm in winston-salem. The farmers have already lost 2 calves to coyotes, so they started raising donkeys to protect the herd from them. I thought it was pretty cool because my house is about a 25 minute drive from winston-salem.
Hello everyone I live in walkertown,nc. Last night at about 3:00 AM I heard a really loud howl
I just saw a coyote cross the road at hwy 66 and old walkertown rd. It ran out several times and was almost hit by several cars before getting across the road.Feb.21 2008
i hit a yote in walkertown.
hey guys i have already found hundreds of tracks like this one, but my dad sais its just a dog, i also hear a lot of howling between 12:00 and 2:30. Well check out the pic and tell me what you think.
[IMG]http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii100/jack43_bucket/coyoteonfrontporch047.jpg[/IMG]
Hey guys, I live in walkertown,nc. Me and my buddys went pretty deep into the woods and We come up on a flock of about 12 turkeys, it was really cool. But about 2 minutes later We seen a coyote shoot across a small feild right in front of us! It had a brown colored body and a creamy white belly. And then about 5 minutes later we heard alot of gobbling and then alot of squeling and moving around about 25 yards to our right! It sounded as if The pack of coyotes were stalking the flock of turkeys! It was really cool but really scary so we all go out of there really fast. We set a wildlife cam in the same spot hope we get something cool.
May 4, 2008, Holly Springs,NC in SW Wake County, I heard what had to be coyotes in a pack yipping and howling in the vicinity of Cass Holt and Sleeping Meadow Rd.
I have dairy goats and I am very concerned. If they are taking down deer, and calves (in the presence of the mother cow ?)then my goats are at risk! I have a somewhat secure place to lock the goats up at night but I have to let them out to graze.
We never expected to see a coyote in Knightdale. We have been feeding corn to the deer for a year. In the early evening in mid May 2008 we noticed what we thought was a fox cleaning up the corn. However yesterday we took pictures of what we thought was the fox only to have it identified as a coyote. We were shocked. You never know what is going to walk out of these woods. We keep our cameras close by and our cats inside.
May 26, 2008---Just saw a coyote in Umnstead park about an hour ago around 7:30 p.m. He ran across my path, then when he got a safe distance away he stopped and watched me until I was gone. It was so cool. My first coyote sighting! He was much larger than a fox, smaller than a German Shepard and gray in color.
Good evening everyone I live on pole bridge rd. in chisman,nc. Last night my husband let out our pitt-bull to use the bathroom, well after about 15 minutes of us wating for him to come back We went out back to look for him. What we found were blood spots every where, but no dog. The next morning we went out to find our pitt-bull half eatin only about a hundred yards from our house. There are quite a bit of woods surounding our home, So I really beleive a coyote got him. That is the only predator in our area besides a fox. So no one let there dog out at night unless it is big enough to hold its ground from coyotes.
I just seen 2 coyotes running behind my house in liberty,nc. I had no idea that they even lived around here. Have to keep my cat in at night.
WOAH!! This is crazy, I live in winston-salem, on whittier rd., This morning before going to work I seen a coyote run right on the edge of my house in the woods between germanton rd. and my house! At first I thought it was a german shepard, but it was smaller and had a very bushy tail. The night before I thought I heard something getting into my trash, I thought it was nothing but it could have been that coyote! Stil SO COOL!
Hey everyone, I live on the end of saura rd. I have a 25 acre cattle farm, this morning when went out to set out more bailes of hay for the cows, I seen 4 run right under the fence and chase after 2 of my calfs, So I pulled out my trusty oll .22 LR and shot a few of them stingers at em'. I hit 2 and killed 1 the other 3 got away. It was a female, she weighed about 38 LBS. havent seen em since. Nasty oll things, she looks like a messy shepard dog. I think people should set a bounty on these theiven little varmints, Bill.
Hey everyone, I live on tave beeson rd., About a week ago My husband recalls seeing 2 coyotes running in front of his car! He said they looked like they wieghed about 40 LBS. each. Really pretty animals.
Well this was a suprise, I seen a coyote chasing a rabbit across a feild next door to me. I live in coon joyce rd. I never expected them to live here!
Hello everyone, I live on the end of wagoner mill rd. Just this morning I set out to do some bass fishing, and seen 2 coyotes running along the tree line. The lake is no more than 100 yards from my house. Kind of scary. They were running really fast! I am going to keep my rifle closs by from now on.
Hi, I live on MVP dr., near rena,NC. Yesterday Me my 2 sons and my wife whent hiking in the woods on Rock house mountain, As we started back towards our car at the end of our trip , we heard some odd noises coming from the forest to our right, So, I took a closer look and to my suprise there were 2 coyotes munching on what appeared to be a dead raccoon. I left them alone becuase when I came closer they looked up at me and began to growl, so I got back on the trail. As we drove home, I assumed the strange noises we heard wore the coyotes killing the raccoon. They we large for coyotes I thought, looked like they weighed about 45-50 LBS. each. Kinda of scary to think those animals are prowling around the woods that close to my house. Have to keep my eye out for them.
COYOTES! I live on carillon dr. close to a town called seward. A few days ago I was walking my bernese mountain dog, chip. As we started our walk I kept hearing something moving in the thick underbrush next to us, It was like it was following me. After about 10 minutes of this my dog started growling looking at a thick patch of trees. The next thing I know a coyotes leaps out of the bushes! It lookd to be about 38 inches long and wieghed about 30-35 LBS. As my dog lunged at i it darted back into the woods. Very scary expreiance. Glad my dog was with me.
Hello everyone, earleir today I was driving home on I-73,near seagrove,nc. I watched what I thought was a big dog, but then 2 more animals of the same appearance came runing behind the first one. It was a small pack of coyotes I am sure! The farmers near my home have been complaining about losing cattle and goats. Maybe coyotes are eating them? I'll keep updating.
Just seen what I expect to be a coyote in my back yard. It was dark brown/gray in color, and had big bushy tail, and its snout was pretty long. Didnt remind me of a dog. I watched make a lopp around my yard and then it headed back off into the woods. I didnt think there were coyotes in nc. I live in Walnut cove, just outside of durham.
I seen a coyote in my backyard! I have lived in mechanic,nc. for 7 years, never seen a coyote before.
hi i live on jones rd.
I can not beleive what my child is telling me.he sais he was riding his bike on the courner of pack rd and seen a coyote.i live in forsyth county should i be worried.
Morning everybody I live in fox run,nc. on my way to work in durham, I seen a very large coyote cross guess rd. it looked like it wieghed maybe 45 LBS! As I slowed my car to a stop, and watched this enuexpected appearance, I noticed that another was coming out from the treeline to follow him. Most likeley a female companion. Very unusual morning. Cool sighting though.
I cant believe that I just seen a coyote laying in a feild only a mile away from my home! I live near hays,nc. It was a very wierd looking animal.
Its steal kind of hard for me to tell anyone about this but I found this blog and its as good as anyplace, Well for the past few days we have been hearing howling and strange barking, Where we live I didnt think that we would have coyotes running around, we live on perrel springs dr., close to bannertown,nc. But I guess I was wrong, 2 days ago my son let our 2 cats out to run around a little before everyone goes to bed, The way our house is set up, we have a big glass door that leads out to our backyard, It was only about 5 minutes after we let them out that my son yelled "mommy, mommy something is eating our cats". So I ran outside to see both of my cats being chewed on by 2 coyotes! My husband seen what was happening and ran inside, grabbed the 12 gauge and shot 1, before he could pump the gun to reload the other one whent off into the woods. Both of our cats were dead. It was a very sad eveing, we had those cats for about 5 years. Now my husband as hooked up a huge flood light on our house that detects motion, so if those animals ever come back we know. Every night he leaves the shotgun sitting by the door just in case.
I saw a coyote in my back yard in Apex, NC. At first, I thought that it was a fox but I mentioned to someone that it looked more like a dog, was brown in color and was bigger. I thought that because it had a bushy tail that it was a large fox but I pulled up a picture of a coyote and it looked exactly like the animal in my back yard. What a surprise! I had no idea that there were coyotes in Apex, NC.
Hi, we have seen a coyote on two separate occasions in our neighborhood in Gastonia, NC during the last two weeks (July 14 - 28,2008). I first thought it was a very large fox, but evidently it was a coyote. I called animal control, but they couldn't help - they just said to keep an eye out on small pets and small children. Wow!
Hello everyone, nice to see that there is a palce to post stories about animals, This past weekend my family and me whent camping at our favorite place, hanging rock state park, We only stayed there for saturady and sunday, but while we were there I seen 2 deer and a raccoon, but the most amazing thing I seen was a coyote! We were walking the cooks wall trail when a coyote came running out of the woods right in front of us! It was a very beautiful animal, maybe 40 LBS. long tail, muscular shoulders. We got to look at him for about 7 seckonds before he ran back into the dense forest. The rest of our camping trip seemed to fly by. Still it was a memorial outing.
Seen a coyote in my feild today, small little thing, looked like it weighed 25 maybe 30 pounds. It Sitting in my feild eating what looked like a rabbit. wouldnt expect to see a coyote this far east, I live in farmville, right outside of greenville.
Good thing I found this blog, If its all about coyotes than I have a story, I live on marshallberg rd.At about 6:30 in the moring I whent out to my feild to see how my chickens were doing and to sheck on my peppers, Where my chicken coops are are pretty close to the woods I seen what I know 100% to be coyotes. There were 2 of them, they were walking through the middl of my feild, had a pair of binoculars in my truck so I picked them up and watched for a good 6 maybe 7 minutes. Both brownish grey and white on the stomach. As they came closer to the woods to the right of me I seen a groundhog pop is head up and so did the coyotes, they crouched and walked very slow, they came within 10 yards of the groundhog and then they started running for it, then they pounced on it. It was like watching something on animla planet! Maybe thats where my neighbors 4 gaots got to.
My son and I seen a coyote in the woods behind our house, on beaver lake trail,nc. We were setting traps for the skunks around my house, when we seen it come around a small hill and stare at us for about 10 seckonds then it shot off into the denser part of the woods. Very beautiful animal.
Well this came as a shock to me, but this morning it was about 7:30 maybe 8:00 I was filling the tractor with desiel and hooking up the tiller to plant some lablab, I live near the intersection of woodville rd. and williams rd. near the yadkin river, I own about 130-140 acres. I made a few laps around the feild when 2 does came out of the woods to eat in my american voint vetch grass feild, well they were pretty I watched them for about 7 or 8 minutes then they started acting weird and moving around and stomping at the ground, right after that a large coyote came out of the brush, the 2 does were motionless, then the coyote jumped and bit the neck of the smaller doe! The larger one ran off but the smaller one was killed instantley. He started to eat her right there in my feild! I drove back to the house and grapped my 264 winchester magnum. I hopped in my truck and drove back there, he was still eating it, so I used the hood of the truck as a baring and put the reticle on his neck and fired, he dropped on the spot. I whent over to find that it was a male coyote, and whent to my meat locker and weighed him in at 47 pounds! Very big coyote. I have some story to tell my family.
8/18/08 Last Thursday I looked up from my computer and saw two wild animals in my back yard. I know red foxes, so I'm thinking large grey fox or small wolves. They looked like German Shepard dogs with primarily grey coats, redish brown under the necks and randomly on the medium coats and fairly bushy tails. After some research, I figure I saw coyoties, an adult female and a pup, about 50lb. and 25lb. respectively. Yesterday, about 5pm there were an adult male, female, and two pups. The male would go 75lbs. They hung around about 15 minutes and drifted off into the woods. A few minutes ago, about 3pm, what seems to be yet another one, a darker grey-black, walked through the yard. I live on the edge of Heritage, a subdivision south east of Wake Forest. I'm getting a little concerned about my 9lb. dog. If they are 50 to 100 feet from the house in the daylight, they probably are sleeping on the deck at night!
Good morning, I beleive what I seen yesterday to be a coyote, it almost looked like a small wolf, but nc. doesnt have gray wolves, so it had to be a coyote. I live in pilot,nc. right outside thomasville,nc. I am also starting to hear howling alot more these days.
I deffinatley seen a large male coyote a few minutes ago. I was working in my backyard, when I looked up and seen it walking through my small oat feild. It stoped and looked at me every few seckonds but keep on going. It had a very nice looking coat. large to for a coyote.