coyotes kill girl

[Okiemommy]

Coyotes are not the only problem here- the city folk of California voteds to protect mountain lions. So they are getting bolder and bolder.
In the park where I volunteer, the mountain lions have started coming around the camp ground- they don't even try to be inconspicuous. They simply look at you, deciding whether you are worth the effort and tasty enough to eat.
Last year woman saved her husband buy beating a mountain lion with a stick while it was chewing on him. They were together on a trail a few miles form here near the highway.
Every year more and more livestock get attacked by lions. Every year the local university and elementary schools have calls out to sheriffs about mountain lions prowling on campus.
Luckily not too far from me, most of the ranchers follow SSS guite promptly.

Yep, that's another thing I'm not about to play around with. We have had increased sightings around here, while the local authorities have continued to say that there are no mountain lions here...well that is bull, sorry. Down in Tuttle there was something that was dragging away peoples sheep and large dogs, I haven't heard yet if they caught it or found out what it was. But someone did see it, and said it was a Cougar. Oh, and to prove that we aren't too stupid to tell the difference between a mountain lion and a dog, National Geographic put out a map of where mountain lion populations have been found in the United States. Imagine my lack of surprise when it showed that there was a population not far from the outskirts of Oklahoma City. Their daily hunting range is 50 miles, and their migratory range is 200.

Edited for spelling

 

[Okiemommy]

Agreed. Worried about and being prepared are two different things.

I would not venture into a known habitat of wildlife, without being prepared, period. My biggest concern has always been bears, a mother with cubs can be so protective they'll attack without provocation. Many times people are attacked without warning, people mountain biking down a trail, people fishing, picking berries with family and friends, there was even a story about 4 people getting attacks by a wolf, while they lounged on a beach. You just never know. Do I worry myself about being mauled, mugged, or raped? Nah, but I certainly make sure I am prepared, aware, and alert.

The biggest predators/threats of people are domestic/tamed/captive animals and people.

This young lady could have just as easily been one in the hundreds of people who are molested and found murdered. No matter what the circumstance or predator, it is sad she was found unprepared and killed.

Exactly!

 

[noobiechickenlady]

Agreed. Worried about and being prepared are two different things.

I would not venture into a known habitat of wildlife, without being prepared, period. My biggest concern has always been bears, a mother with cubs can be so protective they'll attack without provocation. Many times people are attacked without warning, people mountain biking down a trail, people fishing, picking berries with family and friends, there was even a story about 4 people getting attacks by a wolf, while they lounged on a beach. You just never know. Do I worry myself about being mauled, mugged, or raped? Nah, but I certainly make sure I am prepared, aware, and alert.

The biggest predators/threats of people are domestic/tamed/captive animals and people.

This young lady could have just as easily been one in the hundreds of people who are molested and found murdered. No matter what the circumstance or predator, it is sad she was found unprepared and killed.

 

[patandchickens]

I totally agree that one should not go out into "wilder" areas, or areas inhabited by largeish animals that may get grumpy at humans, without being prepared. E.g. at least carry a big stick and a whistle.

OTOH I still do not think that has a lot to do with 'coyotes kill girl', given the extreme rarity of coyote attacks.

Around here I think you'd be FAR more at risk from loose dogs, or the occasional wandering bear you might surprise... and we do have a lot of (some of them quite bold) coyotes here.

(edited to add: it is hard to actually know whether the deceased was "unprepared". It is quite possible to take sensible precautions and still get killed.)

JMHO,

Pat

 

[enjoy the ride]

There's a bit too much confidence here about being able to protect yourself. Sometimes things happen and catch the most "prepared" person by surprise.
The only time I was ever in serious trouble due to actions by a human was when I was hit from behind by a man I didn't know was there in a place that I would have never thought to be a dangerous place.
You can have all the guns you want but there will always be someone with more. Someone more experienced. Someone more determined. Someone more clever. Or devious.
Or an animal bigger, closer and faster.
An honest respect for these possibilites will result in a longer and happier life.

 

[Okiemommy]

There's a bit too much confidence here about being able to protect yourself. Sometimes things happen and catch the most "prepared" person by surprise.
The only time I was ever in serious trouble due to actions by a human was when I was hit from behind by a man I didn't know was there in a place that I would have never thought to be a dangerous place.
You can have all the guns you want but there will always be someone with more. Someone more experienced. Someone more determined. Someone more clever. Or devious.
Or an animal bigger, closer and faster.
An honest respect for these possibilites will result in a longer and happier life.

I didn't say that I have the utmost confidence that due to my intense preparations, nothing could ever possibly happen to me. I am simply stating that being prepared is important, and when within my abilities to do so, I will. That part is under my control. Reading anything else into it is putting words into my mouth.

 

[BeccaOH]

Yep, that's another thing I'm not about to play around with. We have had increased sightings around here, while the local authorities have continued to say that there are no mountain lions here...well that is bull, sorry. Down in Tuttle there was something that was dragging away peoples sheep and large dogs, I haven't heard yet if they caught it or found out what it was. But someone did see it, and said it was a Cougar. Oh, and to prove that we aren't to stupid to tell the difference between a mountain lion and a dog, National Geographic put out a map of where mountain lion populations have been found in the United States. Imagine my lack of surprise when it showed that there was a population not far from the outskirts of Oklahoma City. Their daily hunting range is 50 miles, and their migratory range is 200.

It did surprise me when I first heard of mountain lions/cougars in Kansas. My BIL said they've been spotted not far east from their place north of Wichita, though I don't know if the authorities have confirmed it yet. I should Google that. I wouldn't think there would be a lot of habitat for them, but these kinds of animals seem to be finding ways to adapt.

 

[enjoy the ride]

There's a bit too much confidence here about being able to protect yourself. Sometimes things happen and catch the most "prepared" person by surprise.
The only time I was ever in serious trouble due to actions by a human was when I was hit from behind by a man I didn't know was there in a place that I would have never thought to be a dangerous place.
You can have all the guns you want but there will always be someone with more. Someone more experienced. Someone more determined. Someone more clever. Or devious.
Or an animal bigger, closer and faster.
An honest respect for these possibilites will result in a longer and happier life.

I didn't say that I have the utmost confidence that due to my intense preparations, nothing could ever possibly happen to me. I am simply stating that being prepared is important, and when within my abilities to do so, I will. That part is under my control. Reading anything else into it is putting words into my mouth.

Oh dear- I wasn't thinking about your response at all- I thought your response about being careful with your children was right on. Sorry to have phrased it poorly. :/

 

[Okiemommy]

Okiemommy wrote:

Yep, that's another thing I'm not about to play around with. We have had increased sightings around here, while the local authorities have continued to say that there are no mountain lions here...well that is bull, sorry. Down in Tuttle there was something that was dragging away peoples sheep and large dogs, I haven't heard yet if they caught it or found out what it was. But someone did see it, and said it was a Cougar. Oh, and to prove that we aren't to stupid to tell the difference between a mountain lion and a dog, National Geographic put out a map of where mountain lion populations have been found in the United States. Imagine my lack of surprise when it showed that there was a population not far from the outskirts of Oklahoma City. Their daily hunting range is 50 miles, and their migratory range is 200.

It did surprise me when I first heard of mountain lions/cougars in Kansas. My BIL said they've been spotted not far east from their place north of Wichita, though I don't know if the authorities have confirmed it yet. I should Google that. I wouldn't think there would be a lot of habitat for them, but these kinds of animals seem to be finding ways to adapt.

There really isn't a whole lot of habitat for them, but they've got to go somewhere. It's great that their populations are on the rise, but it's frustrating that local authorities are refusing to acknowledge this because it leads to improper wildlife management...which means so many things but especially that it's dangerous to humans. I can try to find the National Geographic that it was in and look it up for you.

 

[Okiemommy]

There's a bit too much confidence here about being able to protect yourself. Sometimes things happen and catch the most "prepared" person by surprise.
The only time I was ever in serious trouble due to actions by a human was when I was hit from behind by a man I didn't know was there in a place that I would have never thought to be a dangerous place.
You can have all the guns you want but there will always be someone with more. Someone more experienced. Someone more determined. Someone more clever. Or devious.
Or an animal bigger, closer and faster.
An honest respect for these possibilites will result in a longer and happier life.

I didn't say that I have the utmost confidence that due to my intense preparations, nothing could ever possibly happen to me. I am simply stating that being prepared is important, and when within my abilities to do so, I will. That part is under my control. Reading anything else into it is putting words into my mouth.

Oh dear- I wasn't thinking about your response at all- I thought your response about being careful with your children was right on. Sorry to have phrased it poorly. :/

I wholeheartedly and sincerely apologize for misinterpreting you post!