Post by brigitte on Dec 16, 2017 7:38:42 GMT -5
I ran into a (beef) farmer while getting hay yesterday. He said he'd downsized for the winter, but had to keep a couple of bulls with the herd because he's had so much pressure from coyotes and bears.
I have too, but unlike him I haven't lost any calves.
He said the cows do protect their young, but the predators are more afraid of the bulls. And I found this to be very interesting- he said he shoots AT the coyotes but doesn't kill them. Thereafter, the lead animals will tend to avoid that area and not lead their young into it. When you shoot the local coyotes, there are always more to move in and claim the area- and take chances at killing the young stock the "educated" coyotes would not. they are very smart.
I found this to be an explanation for an odd situation that happened just the other day. While hunting in a wooded area behind the pastures, a giant coyote came (just outside) of gun range. I thought, well, there goes another rooster (I allow to free range) But after a minute or so, he came trotting right back the same way and left. I know I have shot at that coyote near the barn.
The beef farmer friend also has hard pressure from bears- we have way to many black bears even with a hunting season for them in Massachusetts- in part because Connecticut nearby does not and the problem bears get moved to the border (I think in hopes by Conn DEEP folks they will be shot by hunters) Connecticut now has a serious problem with bears which have killed a donkey, llama, (mini) horse and assorted other farm animals in nearby towns.
I am positive I narrowly escaped losing a calf to a local bear in July- the calf was unexpected. For some reason though, the introduction of pig manure to the manure pile has kept them at a distance. Old wive's tale maybe, but they will avoid pigs.
I have too, but unlike him I haven't lost any calves.
He said the cows do protect their young, but the predators are more afraid of the bulls. And I found this to be very interesting- he said he shoots AT the coyotes but doesn't kill them. Thereafter, the lead animals will tend to avoid that area and not lead their young into it. When you shoot the local coyotes, there are always more to move in and claim the area- and take chances at killing the young stock the "educated" coyotes would not. they are very smart.
I found this to be an explanation for an odd situation that happened just the other day. While hunting in a wooded area behind the pastures, a giant coyote came (just outside) of gun range. I thought, well, there goes another rooster (I allow to free range) But after a minute or so, he came trotting right back the same way and left. I know I have shot at that coyote near the barn.
The beef farmer friend also has hard pressure from bears- we have way to many black bears even with a hunting season for them in Massachusetts- in part because Connecticut nearby does not and the problem bears get moved to the border (I think in hopes by Conn DEEP folks they will be shot by hunters) Connecticut now has a serious problem with bears which have killed a donkey, llama, (mini) horse and assorted other farm animals in nearby towns.
I am positive I narrowly escaped losing a calf to a local bear in July- the calf was unexpected. For some reason though, the introduction of pig manure to the manure pile has kept them at a distance. Old wive's tale maybe, but they will avoid pigs.