This was my last image before the Coyote rushed me. It is obvious from his intense eyes and forward-focusing ears that I was his prey.
I’ve never been attacked by mammal when in the field shooting…sure I’ve been dive-bombed by Skuas in Iceland, terns in Alaska and MN but never charged. Ryan spotted this Coyote first…It was crossing Slough Creek and never once looked at us. I decided to lay up against the river bank to see if he’d come out of the woods near me. Ryan went east to see if he could cut him off in the meadow. A few minutes later here comes the Coyote, only 50 feet away and slowly stalking something. But he was staring at me. I didn’t put 2 and 2 together that THE COYOTE WAS STALKING ME! I took video until he got within 30 feet or so. I then switched to taking stills. I got off 2 or 3 shots and then I stuck my head behind the camera again to check the LCD and when I looked around my camera a second later the Coyote was in my face! His head was above mine and he was only six feet away. I jumped up and started yelling at him…He sauntered off…He did not run…I finally found a rock and chucked it at him. He kept going. No time for fear until it was all done. My heart was beating! The Coyote had covered the last 25 feet is a split second…If I was a rabbit I wouldn’t have had a chance.
Watch the video and “reenactment” below
Coyote canine teeth are large and efficient killing tools…And I nearly got to experience them.
It’s a pretty unique photo…But little did I know he would be hunting me very soon.
We let a nearby campground host if he’d heard any strange Coyote stories lately…He laughed and said, “About an hour ago a couple in the campground were approached by a Coyote that just walked up to them to within 3 feet!…Not stalking just like it was begging.” We later found out that a woman had been bitten pretty badly by a Coyote a week previous in another part of the park. I don’t think this guy had rabies…eyes were clear, fur nice and thick, no foaming mouth…but this behavior is a bit unnerving. Anyway, a ranger was dispatched to the area to check it out…but we never did hear what happened to the Coyote of Slough Creek.
7 responses to “Stalked and Charged by a Coyote in Yellowstone!”
Beaster5
October 29th, 2012 at 17:55
Love the reenactment, but it should be in black and white with some creepy Halloween music!
Carol
October 29th, 2012 at 22:36
What an experience! Really enjoy your blog – the photos and stories and appreciate the photo taking info. Just heard you are the keynote speaker at the MN naturalists conference next May. Looking forward to it!
Joanne Stensaas
October 30th, 2012 at 00:21
Am so glad you lived to share your story! Joanne
Becky Weers
October 30th, 2012 at 11:25
Be careful you dork! Thank goodness God was taking care of you extra special that day!
Dave Johnson
October 30th, 2012 at 12:17
Be careful Sparky! We need you around for all the wonderful things that you do! Dave Johnson
Pauline Wahlquist
November 2nd, 2012 at 12:24
I would not have expected a lone coyote to attack a human. Seems like really strange behavior. The fur looked really nice. Great shots!
Wyatt
January 29th, 2013 at 07:04
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage you continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!