Living with Coyotes!
When you are out in nature, it is quiet. When it’s quiet, you hear sounds you normally don’t hear if you were busy doing something else. What I have noticed the last two months of RVing is that it is quiet out here! And, it turns out, I actually like the peace and quiet!
Brown Mountain Loop Trail 
Mark leading the way!
Brown Mountain Loop Trail
We recently hiked the 5-mile Brown Mountain Loop Trail in Tucson Mountain Park. When we were on the ridge, we could see for miles. It was so quiet. It gave me time to think how grateful I am. I am thankful for my family to trust that we are going after our dreams of exploring North America. I am thankful for my former Apple employees. They helped me make a difference in the lives of others which gave me confidence to retire early. And, I am thankful to God for showing me new experiences every day about my new “community of strangers”. A funny experience happened to us when Mark and I went for pizza the other night. We met two couples from Rush City, Minnesota. Turns out, they knew my daughter’s in-laws. It truly is a small world out here!
When the sun begins to set, it gets quiet and we can hear coyotes in the distance. It sounds like they are celebrating evening is coming and they are summoning other coyotes to go hunting! We recently went to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and I really enjoyed seeing the coyotes on the outdoor desert trail. They are beautiful graceful animals. Because of the exhibit, I am more respectful of coyotes. I learned some new things about coyotes and I wanted to share them with you!
Coyote Traits and Behaviors
- Did you know coyotes live in every state in the U.S., except Hawaii?
- Coyotes weigh 15-30 pounds and females are slightly smaller than males.
- Female coyotes can have two to 12 pups per litter, with an average of six.
- Coyotes may be seen in groups, called packs, or alone.
- Coyotes eat whatever is available: seeds, dates, dead animals, rodents (maybe even pack rats), rabbits, garbage, pet food, house cats and small dogs. Be sure you bring cats and dogs in at night.
- It is generally not normal for coyotes to attack or pursue humans, unless they have a learned response from humans feeding them.
What should I do if a coyote approaches me?
Remember to be dominant. We must act that way to the coyote.
- Never approach a coyote.
- Show you are dominant by keeping eye contact with the animal.
- Yell or make loud noises with whistles, blaring music, or pots and pans.
- Encourage coyotes to leave by spraying a hose, throwing sticks or rocks near them, or shaking a can filled with pennies or pebbles.
- Don’t stimulate a coyote’s chase instinct by running.
- Pick up small pets.
- Protect small children so they won’t panic and run.
Check out “azgfd.gov/urbanlife” to learn more information about coyotes.
These are great reminders we need to remember if a coyote approaches us. I especially like, “don’t stimulate a coyote’s chase instinct by running.” That makes so much sense! So, if a coyote comes by our RV, I’m going to have a can with pennies in it to scare them away and I’m not going to run away!
Mark had an interesting encounter the other morning. He heard several coyotes outside the RV. He got up, turned on the porch light and there were several beady eyes staring back at him. Luckily, they sauntered away! It was a reminder, that we are in their backyard and we need to be careful, especially when it is dark outside. With the information we learned, we now know what we should do if we ever encounter a coyote.
Embrace the quiet in your life.
If life is currently “loud” for you, seek time to be by yourself. Turn off the music, turn off the distractions (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, gaming, etc.) and see if you can relax until you can experience what is around you. Take time to be grateful for what you have in your life. Start by naming just one thing. When you continue this practice daily, you are going to see even more things you are thankful for. I’m excited to start a gratitude journal. This is something I have wanted to do for quite some time!
In the comments below, share one thing you are grateful for. It will feel good to acknowledge it in writing!
Find Joy in the Journey – Heidi of Loving the RV Life
Thanks for sharing all that you are learning. You continue to make a difference in my life! I hope our paths cross as my daughter and son-in-law are now in Albuquerque which means we will be exploring the southwest too.
I didn’t realize coyotes where so small. I would have thought 40-60 lbs. My recent brush with wildlife is I had a opossum in my backyard. He was eating the fat drippings from our grill. He weighed about 20-25 lbs. My dog found him and they had a little scuffle. It didn’t end well for the opossum but that is another story!
Prayers for you and Mark! You help me dream of future adventures with your posts!
I am greatful for the sun and everything it provides. I believe this is one of God’s greatest masterpiece creations. Without it we would not be able to exist. Even on a rainy day, we know the sun is still shining on the other side of the cloud. On another beach, a mountain or through the trees. It is always reliable and present somewhere.
Thank you for sharing what you are grateful for! I am grateful for waking up every day so we can see what God wants to show us for that day! Yes, even on a rainy day, the sun is still shining somewhere else! Love that!
A opossum – yikes! Glad your dog survived as sometimes they have rabies! Yes, I didn’t realize coyotes were so small too! It would be great to meet up sometime in the Southwest!
I find myself saying “Thank you God for ….” several times a day. Little things such as a hod shower and a comfortable safe warm bed! My family and the fact that they are currently happy, healthy and safe. Health…. today I feel good and nothing hurts.
Gratitude IS a major key to happiness!!
Rollie, I love gratitude! So many times we don’t stop and say “thank you, God for…” I thank God for you, Rollie and I’m glad we are friends that we can pick up right where we left off that last time we chatted!
Hi mark and Heidi… really enjoyed coyote and hiking story… those rascals are finding tough going in the deep snow of Mn. Glad you’re enjoying the warm weather… travel safe and enjoy your quiet freedom! Right now we’re thankful for having spent a few days in az, heading to Denver now to see our daughter, family and 15 month old grandson. Lorn and Vicki
Hi, Lorn! You sure have had a harsh winter in MN haven’t you! Glad it is getting warm to finally melt that snow, especially from the last storm! Heard you were in AZ visiting the Matzek’s too! Hope you had a great time. Enjoy that grandbaby of yours. We will become first time grandparents in August! We can’t wait!
I too love the quiet outdoors. Love sitting in the woods as it wakes up in the early morning.
Phil, yes, we love the quiet as well! That’s what it is all about! The best part is coming – summer is on it’s way everywhere!
The campground we’re at right now is adjacent to a National Wildlife Refuge and there are warning signs to respect the local coyotes.
Julie, coyotes rule! Love that there is a sign saying that as well!