Coyote scat near back deck?
Just finishing up a late night cigar (Liga Privada no. 9 robusto for the fellow aficionados) on the steps of my back deck when some poop on the brick-paver landing catches my eye. Right away I think “neighbors dog” but that would be a first as their dog is always contained to their yard. Then, when I shined a flashlight on it, I discover it has lots of fur in it.
I took a pic but not sure about the forum rules of posting such things. Also, it’s midnight so not the best pic. Anyway, there were three solid pieces 3-4” long and 1/2”-3/4” in diameter. It pretty much looks like dog poop but since it has fur and is only 5’ from my house (and 6” from my deck steps) I’m thinking it’s a coyote letting me know this is *his* yard.
Anyone find anything similar? I read the coyote population is over 3,000 in NJ (mostly in warren, Sussex and western Morris counties) but for all the years I’ve spent in the woods hiking/trail running around here, I’ve never actually seen one. Could it be something else? Seems a bit too large for a skunk which I believe also dines on rodents/carrion. Certainly too big for a raccoon or opossum. Besides, I believe they both poop in “latrines” they reuse. Too small in my opinion to be bear scat and this time of year I’d expect their poop to be full of berries.
Kind of freaks me out as I have young kids that play in the yard. Then again, I have no idea if a coyote poses any danger to them. Especially during the daytime when the kids are outside. Sorry for the rambling post, this has me buzzing a bit. Any info from experienced outdoors people would be greatly appreciated!
ConsigliereI honestly don't know if this would work, but when I had a bobcat hanging around in my yard, I bought some wolf urine (Amazon) and sprayed it around. No more problem. Maybe that would work.
Lonesome Dove Good taste in cigars!!!
If I were you I would invite more friends (and NEW ones) over more often to smoke on your deck, and just maybe after many nights, whatever it is will stop coming around.
Consigliere, you can do a Google image search for "coyote scat" and compare the photo of the suspect specimen. Just don't eat beforehand.
Courtney1 Thanks, Lomesome Dove, I’ll check that out.
Haha skipper, you can come by anytime.
Courtney, I did the Google search before posting here and it certainly looked similar. I was hoping (or maybe not) that someone here had any info on whether or not they were around, have seen them or if they’re know to come that close to house to do their business. As far as I can tell they are fairly elusive
Our first night in our home, a doe was giving birth in our circle drive while a coyote was going in for the kill. The doe was out there fighting it off. When we realized what was going on, we turned on the porch lights. The coyote took off. It's been twenty-four years and we haven't seen one since.
Weedwacker I’ve seen two coyotes in my 20 or so years here in Warren Co. One in my yard and one in a nearby corn field about to cross the road. I hear them at night howling in packs within a half mile of my house. They are definitely here.
3wbdwnj I saw one in Allamuchy this year a few months back. Scared me to death. Good luck with your 'scat'. Stay safe. Maybe they just like the smell of a good cigar!
They’re definitely in Panther Valley in Allamuchy. You can hear them sometimes “yipping” at night if you sleep with the windows open. They roam the valley. There are also a lot of foxes. It could be a fox poop although they look more like cat turds lol. They shouldn’t bother people but do watch your smallish dogs and cats at night. I’ve heard other animal’s (and even people’s lol) urine sprayed around a perimeter keeps them out.
FF Coyote multiple times back along the Musky behind Brook Hollow/Hunters Brook/Rustic Knolls.
GC Apparently they have the first documented case of a dog/fox hybrid (2021), though it was found, and DNA tested in South America. That said, they may be coming to an area near you, since we now know it's not as impossible as they thought. The Fox wasn't quite a "true" Fox, but more related to a wolf. Just like pet snakes, etc. you never know what may end up loose in the wild, and a Dogxim could have a good time of it in this area.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogxim
Phil D. Leave a Reply
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