This photo was taken on one of the few snow days we’ve had. It was during our first year in Arizona. I heard the coyote howling and I caught him on the wall behind our backyard. By the way, he was a big boy!
Wednesday morning, I drove first thing to the post office with my load of Frangos, plus to the hardware and grocery stores. I missed my early morning walk with my husband — who went without me. The weather had dropped to the 40s and 50s, so I knew I could walk when I was done with my errands. It wouldn’t be too hot!
If you haven’t read about my Frango project, you can read about it HERE.
I walked around our neighborhood listening to a podcast and all was well. I walked out of our neighborhood onto the main street, which has a nice sidewalk on our side of the street. I enjoy the walk because the nature’s preserve is across the road. The views are gorgeous.
I turned around to walk back toward our neighborhood. I was surprised by a big coyote who ran a few feet in front of me across the sidewalk to the other side of the street. I was in awe!
I thought about getting a photo, but then three more coyotes darted out behind him. Then two more. That made six coyotes.
They all stopped and stared at me.
Usually, I may see one or two coyotes and they take off into the preserve frightened. These six large coyotes were a pack and I did not scare them. I waved my parka back and forth in the air, stomped and yelled at them.
They didn’t budge. Then two more came out of the brush and across the sidewalk to join the pack.
I was trembling, trying to call my husband to let him know what was going on.
“Where are you?” he asked.
I told him exactly where I was.
“Stay in the car,” he advised.
“I’m walking and I’m alone!”
“I’ll pick you up,” he said.
Then a gardener’s truck slowed down and drove next to me. “Are you okay?” a man asked me.
“Yes,” I said, “I’m just scared.”
The men had seen the pack of coyotes and I appreciated them putting their truck between me and the pack. I told them my husband was coming to get me and they drove away. I was afraid to look back at the pack. I realized I had no way to defend myself against eight coyotes.
I was shaking like a leaf when my husband pulled the car to the curb. But I was safe.
I may think twice about walking out along the preserve by myself. I’ve walked there without worry for four years. The coyotes came from our neighborhood so that’s another thing to think about. I need to remember to carry my pepper spray. Another friend told me to walk with a golf club.
This is the first time I’ve been frightened by the wildlife in our neighborhood.
What would you do if you had a pack of coyotes staring at you?
Just to add to the fun, my husband showed me this scorpion in the garage!
Sounds like they were sizing you up EA, planning a possible take down and that is scary for sure! Are they a protected species where you’re at or would animal control come to remove some or all of them and relocate the pack if you were to report just how many are roaming the neighborhood? Pets and small children for sure may be in danger…even grown adults with that many showing interest in humans as food.
I felt like they were sizing me up. Normally they run away and disappear. That’s a good idea to call animal control. I read about a man getting attacked recently and a dog. The animal control euthanized a couple coyotes. I also heard there are so many coyotes because they are coming down from the hills and mountain looking for water. It’s been a dry year. If I spot them again I’ll call animal control. But now they could be anywhere.
Your area is beautiful, but apparently dangerous as well. I hear coyotes at night but have only ever seen one, by himself, during the day. A pack staring me down is another thing entirely.
😳
That’s the way it normally is here. We may seen one or two, but hear them at night. I was shaken up.
What a scary experience. I’d have been very scared too.
I thought I could scare them away by yelling and waving my parka. But I think I caught their attention and they were curious. It was scary!
Very scary, especially when you’re alone and without any weapon, like a stick
A friend suggested I walk with a hiking pole or golf club. I’m going to do that.
Very good idea.
I think the golf club is the better choice.
Yes it is, provided it’s not too heavy.
Golf club? Who are you, Tiger Woods? I am unfamiliar with Arizona laws but recommend a small 380 or 9mm. They can be easily concealed and pack a nifty punch. Of course, I am more into securing myself and my dogs than hugging nature.
That’s what my husband suggests too. I’m not sure about the laws. I do have pepper spray. I think I won’t be walking alone either.
I looked at the law in Arizona. If a coyote is attacking you or your pet, it’s legal to shoot them. It’s also to legal to shoot coyotes in the daylight with a hunting license. It’s open season all year long with no limit.
There you go. Just a small piece (a 380) is enough. You will not really have to shoot them. One shot in the dirt and they will scatter.
I took a two-day women’s shooting course in Palm Desert. The first day was “dry” without bullets. The instructor told me that I had just killed all my family, by the way I was handling the gun. I finished the course, but that was it for me. My husband said he was a terrible instructor to tell me that.
I agree with your husband. The whole family? Maybe just a couple of the kids, but the whole family? That is absurd. 🙂 Besides, you would be surprised at how far two days of training will go when faced with no other option but to defend yourself,.
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Omg!! I can’t even imagine.
I was shaking for an hour afterwards!
I’d still be shaking
Yeah. When I think about it, I do shake. I’m not anxious to get back outside the development to walk.
Yikes! I was waiting for the words “and then I woke up from that nightmare” but they never came. Glad you’re ok!
Me too! Do you see coyotes? The post office manager told me the coyotes are coming down from the mountains looking for water.
They must’ve all come down because I haven’t seen a one. But maybe they’re more in the mountains between us… the lower ones? I’ve seen foxes. But no coyotes!
I think you’re right. They probably are in the hills and mountains between us. A neighbor has seen a fox once.
Oh my goodness. When we had our little pup Sadie, a coyote charged at us in the backyard one morning and I was flabbergasted. I scooped her up but was left wondering, as the coyote stood there, staring back at me, undeterred, if he was going to leave. I screamed like a crazy woman and waved my arms and he finally bolted. After that…I learned our neighbors carry whistles with them (one even uses a blowhorn). Extra scary when you see a pack of them, Elizabeth. In daylight. Glad you’re safe. 💕
Wow. That is terrifying. So glad you and your puppy were okay. A neighbor told me she saw a pack and she waved her arms and yelled. She said to look as big as you can be. It didn’t work for me. A whistle is a good idea. I’m also going to take my pepper spray.
Definitely scary. I have a friend who takes a small blow horn out with her, too! 😉
It’s the first time I’ve felt at risk. There have been mountain lion sightings around here too! I’m okay with bobcats, but not mountain lions! A small blow horn is a good idea. I was thinking it would be to big and bulky.
I don’t know where she found it but it’s not super big…but boy, it’s noisy! 😉
I can try Amazon!
This is why I’m glad I live where it is 2 degrees! (Tonight’s weather)🤣
Yikes! You’ll definitely be staying inside away from coyotes.
Yes! 🤣
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Wow wow wow. What an encounter. How incredible that the landscaping truck came. I’ve never seen more than 1 coyote – that would be frightening for sure. So glad you are okay!
Thanks! Yes, I thought the landscapers were so considerate. Before that, I wanted to run, but I’m sure that would have been the wrong thing to do!
We hear the coyotes pass through the yard at night. But I’ve never seen more than one at a time during the day. If I was challenged by some the way you were I would probably make a display by yelling and jumping around.
We hear them at night howling close by. But I’ve never seen more than one or two at a time in the day. I did make a spectacle of myself yelling, screaming waving my parka overhead and jumping up and down. They just stood and stared at me. Maybe I was broadcasting my fear.
Hey, wait a minute, Elizabeth, you had me all set to move west in a few years. After this post, ummm, I’m not so sure. Ha, ha. glad everything turned out okay. The funny thing is that I would be scared of the coyotes, but I think I would be more frightened by the scorpion. Ugh.
You gave me a laugh with the scorpion being scarier than a pack of coyotes. I haven’t been out on the road to walk since the encounter. I ordered a whistle and a small air horn that arrive tomorrow from Amazon thanks to Vicki’s suggestion.
Oh, this could show my NOrtheast roots, but what about a huge club, a secondary one to carry on your back in case you drop the first one. Maybe a machete too. And what about an armed security guard to follow you on your walk. Those all sound like safe precautions to me! I’m not over-reacting am I? I used to hunt as a kid, but in the woods we didn’t have animals coming after us (except maybe the crazy squirrels.) Ha, ha.
Ha. I like the machete idea! My brother and I used to make trails in the woods next to our house with machetes. Somehow, I think I’d make a snarling, lunging coyote angrier. I like the idea of an armed security guard too, named my husband.
I’d like to think coyotes would be scared of humans but I’ve never had much contact with them!
I see them occasionally and they are frightened and run away. But that’s one or two coyotes. The pack mentality of eight coyotes freaked me out. They were not afraid of me.
Yikes! One or two would be fun to see (they are in our area too), but a pack? Nope. They are amazing animals and can hunt prey much larger than they are by attacking in packs. I’m glad you were able to call your husband and get help.
I’ve never felt so vulnerable before on a walk! It was so unreal to see one jump out of the bushes in front of me and then more in twos and threes. They all stayed together and didn’t run away into the preserve. I wasn’t that far from home and my husband got there quickly. I’m thankful for the landscapers who watched what happened and stopped to see if I was okay. Normally, I’d be afraid of two men stopping their truck to talk to me!
I know we have packs occasionally, but I’ve never seen more than one coyote at a time. Eight would scare me, too!!! Being too close to an elk or large mule deer buck with racks does scare me. They are very bold in town. Lions and bears are usually more scared of me.
Eight or even four would scare me! You’re lucky to see elk and mule deer. We have mule deer walk in the wash behind our house, but we have never seen one with with racks. Lions and bears, “Oh My!”
Wow, that is some story! I am glad you had your phone. I will often walk without my phone. I am most terrified of encountering a pit bull with the little pug. I should carry my little pistol. I do carry mace.
I can understand why you’re wary of a pit bull with your pug. We have a pit bull in our neighborhood with a small petite owner who can’t control it. The dog lunged at my husband while we were on a walk and bit his hand.
I remember your blog about that! And some of the pit bulls were off the chain but that owner has left, so still wary.
You have reason to worry!
Wow, how scary, but glad you’re okay, and I’ve never seen a scorpion up close. Yikes!
It was scary! I ordered a whistle and air horn to take on hikes and walks from now on. That’s the second scorpion I’ve seen since we’ve lived in Arizona. We had a friend who was in a new development and they’d fall off his kitchen ceiling.
Good ideas! They’d fall off the ceiling? Omg! My nerves would be shot, but even worse, if they were spiders of any kind. 🙂
My theory is that new developments invade the space of native species upturning the earth and taking over living quarters. Our development is 20 years old. Our friend’s was a couple years old. He had scorpions all the time — in his house. I’ve seem two in four years.
Scary indeed! Yes, keep pepper spray and you might want to be careful about having your headphones in.
Yes. I walked this morning with a whistle. I forgot my pepper spray, but I didn’t see any wildlife.
How frightening!!! I hear they don’t like Acme TNT at all. 🧨
Ha! I’ll keep that in mind 😅