Comments on: Coyotes in Steiner Ranch http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/ Your one stop for all things Steiner Ranch Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:42:17 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Jerome http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-2816 Jerome Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-2816 http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/29/canada.singer.killed/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/29/canada.singer.killed/index.html

]]> By: Michelle http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1761 Michelle Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1761 perhaps NOT LETTING THE EIGHT (!!!) CATS OUTSIDE would stop them from being killed or harmed by any coyote/animal/car/predator. Just a suggestion. Our cats and other animals don't have the problems and the untimely endings described in the 'coyote sighting' story, and that's because we keep them inside, with us. Family is family, and our pets are definitely a part of ours. We protect them like we protect each other, mostly because we took them in to give them safety, food, and love. Their innocent and expected dependance on safety comes from the owner who provides food and shelter. Why on earth would you let them outside? perhaps NOT LETTING THE EIGHT (!!!) CATS OUTSIDE would stop them from being killed or harmed by any coyote/animal/car/predator.

Just a suggestion. Our cats and other animals don’t have the problems and the untimely endings described in the ‘coyote sighting’ story, and that’s because we keep them inside, with us.

Family is family, and our pets are definitely a part of ours. We protect them like we protect each other, mostly because we took them in to give them safety, food, and love. Their innocent and expected dependance on safety comes from the owner who provides food and shelter. Why on earth would you let them outside?

]]> By: mypursona http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1754 mypursona Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1754 I guess we can just hope that people actually DO CALL 311 when they DO have sightings and that all of the data will be accurately managed and accounted for by the Animal Control Program. Hopefully, the HOA (or someone) will keep us abreast with the information collected from Animal Control so that we residents will all have an accurate appraisal of the situation in the near future. I guess we can just hope that people actually DO CALL 311 when they DO have sightings and that all of the data will be accurately managed and accounted for by the Animal Control Program. Hopefully, the HOA (or someone) will keep us abreast with the information collected from Animal Control so that we residents will all have an accurate appraisal of the situation in the near future.

]]> By: Tracy http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1722 Tracy Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1722 I have been walking the trails with my dogs in Steiner twice a day for the last 10 years. I have only seen coyotes a handful of times and each time, they couldn't get away from us fast enough! I have not seen the coyotes or even deer on the trails every since the deer hunting stands were put out on the undeveloped areas around the middle school and surrounding new neighbors five plus years ago for hunters to manage (shoot & kill) the wildlife so the population would not become a problem. However, I have been seeing rattlesnakes more often on the trails which I think people need to be more cautious of rather than the coyotes. One person thought my dog was a coyote so many people here obviously do not know what an actual coyote looks like. I also have a friend here in the neighborhood who's dog does look somewhat like a coyote so I have to question some of these "coyote" sightings. For instance, the coyote at the back fence that wouldn't go away, and also the person with the binoculars stating that the coyotes are "dangerously close" to people on the trails. I moved here for the trails and nature and really envy those who's backyard is on a greenbelt. I consider it a treat to see animals in the wild and yes, coyotes too! Why on earth would someone build on a greenbelt lot and complain about the nature? As far as the women who lost 9 cats, we adopt our pets from animal shelters and most shelters will not adopt cats out to those who plan to make them outdoor pets. Thought I'd share my two cents on the issue, as well! I have been walking the trails with my dogs in Steiner twice a day for the last 10 years. I have only seen coyotes a handful of times and each time, they couldn’t get away from us fast enough! I have not seen the coyotes or even deer on the trails every since the deer hunting stands were put out on the undeveloped areas around the middle school and surrounding new neighbors five plus years ago for hunters to manage (shoot & kill) the wildlife so the population would not become a problem. However, I have been seeing rattlesnakes more often on the trails which I think people need to be more cautious of rather than the coyotes. One person thought my dog was a coyote so many people here obviously do not know what an actual coyote looks like. I also have a friend here in the neighborhood who’s dog does look somewhat like a coyote so I have to question some of these “coyote” sightings. For instance, the coyote at the back fence that wouldn’t go away, and also the person with the binoculars stating that the coyotes are “dangerously close” to people on the trails. I moved here for the trails and nature and really envy those who’s backyard is on a greenbelt. I consider it a treat to see animals in the wild and yes, coyotes too! Why on earth would someone build on a greenbelt lot and complain about the nature? As far as the women who lost 9 cats, we adopt our pets from animal shelters and most shelters will not adopt cats out to those who plan to make them outdoor pets. Thought I’d share my two cents on the issue, as well!

]]> By: Kim http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1715 Kim Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1715 The topic of coyotes is currently on the front page of the HOA: http://www.steinerranchhoa.org/ I'll include the topic page for when it's no longer the top item: http://www.steinerranchhoa.org/steiner-ranch-news/latest/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch.html The topic of coyotes is currently on the front page of the HOA: http://www.steinerranchhoa.org/

I’ll include the topic page for when it’s no longer the top item: http://www.steinerranchhoa.org/steiner-ranch-news/latest/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch.html

]]> By: mypursona http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1714 mypursona Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1714 I think you are right Anonymous. Before we do anything about the situation, perhaps we should find out just how frequently and where people are having these bold encounters with the coyotes. Maybe we could submit a request to the HOA and ask them to perform a survey with the residents of Steiner. They could ask the residents certain questions like, "have you ever had an encounter with a coyote since you have lived here in Steiner" if so, "when, where" "did you feel like the coyotes were acting aggressive in any way during your encounter?" or "Have any of your pets been attacked or have they dissapeared." I think it's very important that we get an accurate appraisal of the situation. It may be the case that only education is needed to resolve the problem. However, we could be experiencing an imbalanced population of coyotes. Imbalanced populations of coyotes have been known to become bold and move into human areas for easy meals, thus losing their natural wariness of humans. I agree that coyotes are a natural predator for other species that could become over populated without natural predators like coyotes to keep the balance in check. Maybe there is a simple solution that would make the coyotes less inclined to stalk residents or attack their pets. I think a good place to start dealing with the issue would be asking the HOA to get involved and to send out a questionnaire to the residents. That information could then be given to the Texas Wildlife Services for evaluation. At the very least, the residents will have an idea of where most of the incidents are taking place and how frequently they are happening. I think you are right Anonymous. Before we do anything about the situation, perhaps we should find out just how frequently and where people are having these bold encounters with the coyotes. Maybe we could submit a request to the HOA and ask them to perform a survey with the residents of Steiner. They could ask the residents certain questions like, “have you ever had an encounter with a coyote since you have lived here in Steiner” if so, “when, where” “did you feel like the coyotes were acting aggressive in any way during your encounter?” or “Have any of your pets been attacked or have they dissapeared.” I think it’s very important that we get an accurate appraisal of the situation. It may be the case that only education is needed to resolve the problem. However, we could be experiencing an imbalanced population of coyotes.
Imbalanced populations of coyotes have been known to become bold and move into human areas for easy meals, thus losing their natural wariness of humans. I agree that coyotes are a natural predator for other species that could become over populated without natural predators like coyotes to keep the balance in check. Maybe there is a simple solution that would make the coyotes less inclined to stalk residents or attack their pets. I think a good place to start dealing with the issue would be asking the HOA to get involved and to send out a questionnaire to the residents. That information could then be given to the Texas Wildlife Services for evaluation. At the very least, the residents will have an idea of where most of the incidents are taking place and how frequently they are happening.

]]> By: Anonymous http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1712 Anonymous Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1712 Ok, so I'm a bit unusual in that I moved to Steiner Ranch but don't particularly love "nature" when nature means tarantulas, black widows, scorpions (all of which we've had in just a few short months here!), and yes, coyotes. I moved here in part for the schools, but mostly for the very beautiful surroundings (the kind of "nature" I like!). More to the point, I frequently walk my dog at 2 a.m. and would not be amused if he was snatched from his leash. My 6 and 1 year old frequently play in the front yard, and I'd rather they not be attacked. Yes, I get that the coyotes were here first, but we are at the top of the food chain and we're here now! I am all in favor of trapping the coyotes and relocating them. Sure they'll come back, eventually, but you trap them again and repeat as needed. In the meantime, it would be very helpful to know where people have seen coyotes within Steiner (i.e., has it been down towards the lake, near the schools, etc. so that we can have a sense of where the problem is (as well as letting the community association know!). For those that provided accounts, in addition to the apartments where are you seeing the coyotes? Ok, so I’m a bit unusual in that I moved to Steiner Ranch but don’t particularly love “nature” when nature means tarantulas, black widows, scorpions (all of which we’ve had in just a few short months here!), and yes, coyotes. I moved here in part for the schools, but mostly for the very beautiful surroundings (the kind of “nature” I like!). More to the point, I frequently walk my dog at 2 a.m. and would not be amused if he was snatched from his leash. My 6 and 1 year old frequently play in the front yard, and I’d rather they not be attacked.

Yes, I get that the coyotes were here first, but we are at the top of the food chain and we’re here now! I am all in favor of trapping the coyotes and relocating them. Sure they’ll come back, eventually, but you trap them again and repeat as needed.

In the meantime, it would be very helpful to know where people have seen coyotes within Steiner (i.e., has it been down towards the lake, near the schools, etc. so that we can have a sense of where the problem is (as well as letting the community association know!). For those that provided accounts, in addition to the apartments where are you seeing the coyotes?

]]> By: mypursona http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1709 mypursona Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1709 Thank you anon :-) Thank you anon :-)

]]> By: Katie R http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1708 Katie R Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1708 In south Texas, if a coyote is out in broad daylight, it usually mean one of two things. 1) they are REALLY desparate for food or 2) they might be rabid. For those who are unfamiliar with this, when an animal is rabid, it makes them, for lack of another word, "crazy". And they will be more likely to act in a bold manner. To control the problem down south, they drop vaccine laced meat from the air into the brush to prevent coyotes from getting sick. Anyway, my point in all of this is that if I had children I would be very concerned as a parent about seeing coyotes in the daylight. Just my two cents. In south Texas, if a coyote is out in broad daylight, it usually mean one of two things. 1) they are REALLY desparate for food or 2) they might be rabid. For those who are unfamiliar with this, when an animal is rabid, it makes them, for lack of another word, “crazy”. And they will be more likely to act in a bold manner. To control the problem down south, they drop vaccine laced meat from the air into the brush to prevent coyotes from getting sick. Anyway, my point in all of this is that if I had children I would be very concerned as a parent about seeing coyotes in the daylight. Just my two cents.

]]> By: anon http://steinerranchinfo.com/2008/09/coyotes-in-steiner-ranch/comment-page-1/#comment-1707 anon Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://steinerranchinfo.com/?p=282#comment-1707 Well said Mypursona! Well said Mypursona!

]]>