Friday, August 17, 2007
Coyotes and Chickens and Kids, Oh my!
Posted in Stories from the Farm
Coyotes and Chickens and Kids, Oh, My!
One morning, not so many years ago, my 8-year-old daughter, Kristel, came screaming into the house with an empty egg basket (her morning chore was collecting eggs). "There's a coyote eating our chickens!" she shrieked.
Without a thought, I snatched up the first thing I came across--a broom--and tore out of the house. Indeed, the chicken yard looked like a war zone. The hens were ravished! Infuriated at this wanton act of destruction, I looked around for the culprit. Sure enough, there he was with a chicken in his mouth. I ran after him, hollered, and whacked at him. He dropped the chicken and took off.
But not for long....Soon (and I mean a few minutes later) the coyote was back for the breakfast he'd dropped on the run. Enough of this, I thought. So I went into the closet and got out the .22 pistol. I slammed in the clip, told the kids to stay in the house, and went out in the front yard. There he was, not more than 15 feet away, with another chicken in his mouth. He looked at me--daring me to take action.
That did it! We live inside the city limits, but I didn't care if I shouldn't be shooting off guns in town. I took aim and shot at the coyote. He didn't drop dead. He didn't drop the chicken. He didn't yelp. He didn't move. He just looked at me. Another shot. Same reaction. I began to think I was firing blanks. Two more shots. Missed again.
Then, apparently disgusted with my poor marksmanship, he trotted off---chicken still in his mouth. We never saw him again.
Moral: If you're going to shoot a coyote, try some target practice first.
Kristel around the time of the coyote incident.
Comments
Saturday, June 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by stitchnchick
Wow! I admire your grit and determination! I would have looked like Barney Fife, LOL. You know, we have coyotes all over here, yet I have never seen one up close. (Thank goodness!)
Great story!
Amy
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Saturday, June 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Barefootcountrygirl
D'OH!!!
LOL!
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Sunday, June 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Ibetypin
I'm laughing so hard all of my chins are quivering! Girl, you should incorporate this into one of your books; it's priceless!
We had our coyote issues on the ranch, as well as on our acreage near the Tri-Cities, and can you believe there's a coyote living in Mirror Lake Park, which our back yard abuts up against? We kept hearing a coyote howling at night, thinking we were crazy, but then one day last week there he was, sunning himself right out there in the middle of the grassy play area. He was a big guy, too.
Coyotes right in the heart of Federal Way..who'd a-thunk, huh??
Thanks for sharing!
Julie
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Monday, August 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ElCloud
The carnival is up! Thanks for entering it. :-)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ElCloud/376195/
April
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Monday, August 27, 2007 - Hello!
Posted by jocelyndixon
Thank you for stopping by my blog... you've been to my other blog? Neat.
And, I have heard of Lyric. She is on my friends list. I just met her. Thanks for letting me know though.
Andyes, we have Nubians.. the loudest goat there is! LOL
Jocelyn
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Friday, September 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by buttons
This is Buttons' mom, HSB1/diamondsintherough. Aren't those smart HTML genius kids annoying?? It is so humbling when I need them to show me how to do stuff.
Loved your story! lol! I would have missed by a mile, too.
Sally
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Saturday, September 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by buttons
Thanks for the comment! I have seen you on HSB before. I saw on your sidebar that you wrote books and when I saw them, I said that is suzyscribbles on HSB!
That story is so exciting! I am glad that it didn't happen to us!
Amy
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Friday, September 21, 2007 - When I saw your comment...
Posted by MissionaryMom
I thought that there was someone else in Okanogan! I realized it was you when I read to the end! I've added you as a friend.
Carol
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Monday, October 15, 2007 - no coyotes here
Posted by Penny
but everything else getting my chickens this year!
take a look at my blog
blessings, Penny
coming Oct 22, "Save the Farm, Bless the Preacher, Drought Sale!"
http://www.pennyraine.com
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Monday, October 22, 2007 - thanks for the post
Posted by AbiBuening
I just thought I'd pop into your blog since you posted on mine. I have read this story in the past but didn't realize (put 2 + 2 together), duah!!! look at side bar I should have known it. Thanks for posting I'll try to keep my eye on your posts now. Abi
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Thursday, May 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SavedGirl
Dear Mrs. Marlow,
I took your advice and took a look. VERY funny. You could have been arrested for nothing since you didn't hit it. At least it didn't become mad and try to hurt you. But then you might have been able to hit it at close range.
Lulu
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