The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Solus on October 30, 2014, 01:45:02 PM
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I have a friend who walks her small dog on the outskirts of Lake Havasu City and she is worried about reports of coyotes harming dogs and wants to get some pepper spray to use to protect the dog.
I know all pepper sprays are not created equal, but have no idea if some are more effective against coyotes than others.
Anyone have that knowledge?
Thanks.
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I'm wondering if that's against Federal Law.
I mean we all know it violated Fed law to use Wasp spray for anything other than it's intended purpose -- wasps. And of course to suggest doing so would be a conspiracy to commit a federal crime.
So if Pepper Spray also carries some similar regulation, "only use on people", then you could get in deep do-do by spraying it on animals.
Just wonderin' here.
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Good Point, Alf.
I found this
Pepper Spray State Laws
http://www.pepper-spray-store.com/pages/states
But is still says local laws should be checked.
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postal carriers carry a dog spray. it's basically a pepper spray. I would use that
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If she is going to rely on pepper spray over lead spray, go with the strongest legal in her jurisdiction. Regardless of the firearms and pepper spray laws, she will run afoul of game laws for wildlife violations. The secret will be to treat it just like Mas advises in any self defense situation, and yes, this is self defense.
P.S.
Only go with the stuff postal carriers use if that is all you are allowed to use. It is pepper spray, but it is among the weakest of the sprays available.
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Why not use one of the big cans of bear spray? If it works on bears it should work on coyotes too.
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(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/deawoorifleparts/P1010400.jpg)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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I would rather trust a pistol rather than a condiment.
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Did a little more research and there Colorado has a site on this type of problem.
Two of their recommendations I thought might be most useful was an air horn and a squirt gun filled with vinegar.
The horn can be deployed quickly, takes no aiming, has nice range and the dog will react to it also, and the water pistol and vinegar is ready if it gets up close and personal.
For anyone interested
January 2010 Coyote Exclusions, Deterrents and Repellents
http://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_5/NWRS/North_Zone/Rhode_Island_Complex/DeptofWildlifeTips_ExclusionsDeterrentsandRepellents0110.pdf
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Might I recommend a stick? I believe a cane or walking stick would work fine.
I've had good luck with pepper spray on aggressive dogs. Don't know why it wouldn't work with a 'yote.
The stick however isn't dependent on wind direction. (I like a 6 iron)
You can kill coyotes at night here with rifles using lights.
I can't imagine AZ gives a $hit about pepper spray.
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Coyotes are common in Lake Havasu. They won't attack a dog on a leash being walked by a human, regardless of the dogs size. I've heard of rogue coyotes going over a wall and killing small breeds that were unattended, but have never known anyone who knew anyone that anything like that happened to.
When I lived there I had a German Shepard, and she would lay next to me on the front driveway when I sat out having my morning coffee. Many times a coyote would come strolling down the street and when it got too close she would take off after it. They would run like hell. They'll only attack larger dogs if they're in a pack. I've never seen or heard of that actually happening.
If a coyote sees you, they won't take their eyes off of you. They are very weary of humans. I would imagine if you managed to get one cornered, they would attack like any other wild animal. But if left on their own they won't get too close to humans, dog or no dog. There are very few stray cats in Lake Havasu, however.
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Coyotes are common in Lake Havasu. They won't attack a dog on a leash being walked by a human, regardless of the dogs size. I've heard of rogue coyotes going over a wall and killing small breeds that were unattended, but have never known anyone who knew anyone that anything like that happened to.
When I lived there I had a German Shepard, and she would lay next to me on the front driveway when I sat out having my morning coffee. Many times a coyote would come strolling down the street and when it got too close she would take off after it. They would run like hell. They'll only attack larger dogs if they're in a pack. I've never seen or heard of that actually happening.
If a coyote sees you, they won't take their eyes off of you. They are very weary of humans. I would imagine if you managed to get one cornered, they would attack like any other wild animal. But if left on their own they won't get too close to humans, dog or no dog. There are very few stray cats in Lake Havasu, however.
I suspected the same, Bill, but my friend is a very timid person and if considering taking self protection preparations, even for her dog, I want to encourage it.
Thanks.
P.S. She did go "hand to hand" with a pit bull that attacked her previous dog, a spaniel, so I think she has more "guts" than she suspects.
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Lake Havasu also has a very large abundance of Road Runners. I had one that would come around almost daily, and we would throw it little pieces of raw hamburger. Each time making him come closer and closer for it. After about 3 months of this I finally got to the point where he would grab it from my fingers, then high tail it away to a safe distance and eat it. Then we would repeat the process. Contrary to what Hanna - Barbera Productions would have you believe when we were kids, Coyote's don't chase them. They have wings and Coyote's don't.
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Here in Florida we had a similar discussion some time back about the best way to dissuade larger gators from attacking golfers near the water hazards. Smaller gators didn't offer the same threat.
It was recommended that they (the golfers) employ a small bell to let the gators know they were coming and warn them (the gators) away.
It was also suggested that the golfers carry pepper spray if the gators appeared recalcitrant about leaving the area.
To determine if a water hazard was the home to a large versus a small gator, it was suggested that the golfers examine the scat around the waters edge.
If the scat was from a smaller gator, the golfer would observe feathers, small bones, and fish scales in the scat.
If it was from a large gator, the golfer would observe small bells and the smell of pepper spray.
IMHO, a .22 mag should be enough to dissuade even the more aggressive 'yotes.
Crusader Rabbit
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Here in Florida we had a similar discussion some time back about the best way to dissuade larger gators from attacking golfers near the water hazards. Smaller gators didn't offer the same threat.
It was recommended that they (the golfers) employ a small bell to let the gators know they were coming and warn them (the gators) away.
It was also suggested that the golfers carry pepper spray if the gators appeared recalcitrant about leaving the area.
To determine if a water hazard was the home to a large versus a small gator, it was suggested that the golfers examine the scat around the waters edge.
If the scat was from a smaller gator, the golfer would observe feathers, small bones, and fish scales in the scat.
If it was from a large gator, the golfer would observe small bells and the smell of pepper spray.
IMHO, a .22 mag should be enough to dissuade even the more aggressive 'yotes.
Crusader Rabbit
I do so love to read your prose and polysyllabic verbiage...
As to the context of your statement, it reminds me of a similar condition experienced with brown bear poo...
:D
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If a coyote sees you, they won't take their eyes off of you. They are very weary of humans. I would imagine if you managed to get one cornered, they would attack like any other wild animal. But if left on their own they won't get too close to humans, dog or no dog. There are very few stray cats in Lake Havasu, however.
Even in our urban area we have a fair amount of coyotes. My only concern is if any become rabid. We too have many "missing cat" signs on the lamp posts.
And also contrary to HB, coyotes run faster than road runners.
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IIRC me tink the RR was WB not HB
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So right, lonedog. My bad.
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Rick Perry used a Ruger LCP with Crimson Trace laser to good effect a few years ago while walking the family dog!