California is Scary

[cosmicfolklore]

Speaking of coyotes, when I used to do my evening walks I occasionally encountered the lone Coyote of two and they would usually skedaddle when they saw me. But a pack of them? They ain't gonna be all cuddly and shit.

I never see just one or two, they always travel through my yard in at least packs of over 6. They run down the middle of our Main Street through town, between the WMA and the river. I've been jogging and realized that I was not alone, with the hairs standing up on my neck, to turn around and see a huge wave of them following me, but they all just passed me by. It was pretty amazing, like jogging with the Wild. I've seen them while out jogging after that, but that first time was the time that sticks in my mind.

 

[sablebrush52]

I never see just one or two, they always travel through my yard in at least packs of over 6. They run down the middle of our Main Street through town, between the WMA and the river. I've been jogging and realized that I was not alone, with the hairs standing up on my neck, to turn around and see a huge wave of them following me, but they all just passed me by. It was pretty amazing, like jogging with the Wild. I've seen them while out jogging after that, but that first time was the time that sticks in my mind.

Mebbe those southern coyotes are more polite. I've seen full packs at night coming down my street when I lived in Burbank, and once, while I was sitting in a chair on the front lawn, reading off of my iPhone, when I felt something brush my leg and when I looked up it was a coyote sniffing away like i was dinner. We locked eyes and I said, "fuck off!" and he did.

Nowadays, in Ashland, it's deer everywhere during the days, and mountain lions and Bears at night.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Mebbe those southern coyotes are more polite. I've seen full packs at night coming down my street when I lived in Burbank, and once, while I was sitting in a chair on the front lawn, reading off of my iPhone, when I felt something brush my leg and when I looked up it was a coyote sniffing away like i was dinner. We locked eyes and I said, "fuck off!" and he did.

Nowadays, in Ashland, it's deer everywhere during the days, and mountain lions and Bears at night.

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that they wouldn't be brave enough to come up to me. But, usually just a "shoo" sends them off on their business. But, I in no way think that they would attack an adult.

This morning on my way to meet some friends for breakfast, deer were everywhere. It's not unusual to see deer, but so many. If I had to guess, I'd say that I saw 20 over a five mile drive. Hunting season seems to push them out into the neighborhoods.

 

[anotherbob]

They are more prevalent across the US than you'd think.

for years when someone saw one here people would tell them they got it wrong. Now while they say it's part of their range and while they don't spend a lot of time here.
Though deer are the scary fuckers. They will Kamazi your car.

 

[Tbaggins]

Better to give more money to the government?

I was being sarcastic. Instead of science based wildlife management California shut down lion hunting because it hurt peoples feelings. So instead of hunters funding conservation and providing game management, their tax dollars pay for the gov to step in and kill the overabundance of cats that end up in towns. Life isn’t a Disney movie..

 

[huntertrw]

Look, here's one now!

 

[trouttimes]

Living for years above 9000’ in the Colorado mountains, bears and lions were a weekly if not daily event. More a pest than a danger. As a rancher, I’ve seen coyotes take down full grown elk.of course lions and bears got a few cows each year but a few donkeys in with the cows helped solve the problem. I never feared them but I also never left the house unarmed. Just normal western ranch life. Learned early to shoot lions, bury quickly and never talk about it.

 

[wyfbane]

Those California cougars can be rough! Avoid!!

 

[bullet08]

Come on. That kitty didn't jump the easy breakfast.

 

[danimalia]

Like Sable, I'd see the occasional coyote when I lived in Eastern San Diego County, and the sight of one or two was never very intimidating. They're not that big, and very skittish around humans. But at night, I could hear them pack up and attack animals in the area, and they weren't nearly as unassuming. Just an awful combination of snarling, barking howling and then yelping from whatever they'd gotten their teeth into.

 

[rakovsky]

Mountain Lions are badass, and unfortunately, they are notorious for finding themselves in urban and suburban areas where they can pose a danger. Sadly, I think they are responsible for a few fatal attacks each year, though of course human beings and domestic dogs tend to be the most dangerous animals any American state, including California.

When I went to the La Brea Tar Pits a few years ago, and visited the museum, I was surprised to learn of all kinds of animals that used to exist in what is now California and the Western USA. American Lions, larger than their extant African counterparts, Dire Wolves, Elephants (including pygmy mammoths on Catalina Island), Camels, all kinds of cool fauna. I highly recommend it. The tar pits themselves are free, the museum costs a few bucks, there's a nice little park, and it's in a nice area of Los Angeles.

I had to look that up. I remember when I was a kid seeing a TV cartoon show decades ago with woolly mammoths about the tar pits.
Woolly Mammoths are pretty neat. I wish they were still around.

 

[atwaterville]

I once saw a coyote at night around my neighborhood here in SoCal running away clenching a limp cat in his/her mouth. As a foster parent of several cats in my life, it was a traumatic experience for me to witness that. Therefore my cats are always staying indoor for their own safety.

 

[mingc]

No mountain lions here in Cornwall though we do have the occasional hedgehog and they can give you a nasty prick if you can't run away fast enough

Jay.

Cornwall is next to Devon where the Hound of the Baskervilles resides no?

 

[danimalia]

I once saw a coyote at night around my neighborhood here in SoCal running away clenching a limp cat in his/her mouth. As a foster parent of several cats in my life, it was a traumatic experience for me to witness that. Therefore my cats are always staying indoor for their own safety.

Honestly, the more I've learned about the issue, the more dedicated I've become to the idea that most pet cats should be indoor only. For their own safety, and for the safety of the environment around them. They kill so many small animals that they're wreaking havoc on the native species populations. I don't judge people for not doing the same, because I've had my share of outdoor cats, and of course, most feral and semi-ferals will never be indoors only. But any cats I get going forward will stay indoors.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Honestly, the more I've learned about the issue, the more dedicated I've become to the idea that most pet cats should be indoor only. For their own safety, and for the safety of the environment around them. They kill so many small animals that they're wreaking havoc on the native species populations. I don't judge people for not doing the same, because I've had my share of outdoor cats, and of course, most feral and semi-ferals will never be indoors only. But any cats I get going forward will stay indoors.

They sure kill everything around.

I have 3 outside and they kill every roach or mouse that comes near my house.

They really are irreplaceable.

 

[danimalia]

They sure kill everything around.

I have 3 outside and they kill every roach or mouse that comes near my house.

They really are irreplaceable.

Didn't one shit on your baby or something a few years ago?

I work in social services at a homeless encampment, and unfortunately, there is a rat problem. We're thinking about bringing in exterminators. And by exterminators, I mean establishing a small feral cat colony (spayed/neutered, of course). I want the Humane Society to send us like a dozen of the most degenerate, antisocial, killing machines they have. Like The Wild Bunch of cats. "If it moves, kill it. "

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Didn't one shit on your baby or something a few years ago?

I work in social services at a homeless encampment, and unfortunately, there is a rat problem. We're thinking about bringing in exterminators. And by exterminators, I mean establishing a small feral cat colony (spayed/neutered, of course). I want the Humane Society to send us like a dozen of the most degenerate, antisocial, killing machines they have. Like The Wild Bunch of cats. "If it moves, kill it. "

Yep. No more cats inside at my house...

 

[atwaterville]

Honestly, the more I've learned about the issue, the more dedicated I've become to the idea that most pet cats should be indoor only. For their own safety, and for the safety of the environment around them. They kill so many small animals that they're wreaking havoc on the native species populations. I don't judge people for not doing the same, because I've had my share of outdoor cats, and of course, most feral and semi-ferals will never be indoors only. But any cats I get going forward will stay indoors.

I have a lot of trees in my small backyard that attracts all sorts of wildlife. Just the other day, while I was smoking a pipe and minding my own business, I heard several strange noises coming from one of the bushes. A few seconds later a cat, must be one of neighbors', jumped out of the bushes and walked away. A minute later a squirrel emerged from the same bush and chirping away sounding, from my perspective, upset and angered.