Advisory about coyotes from Breckenridge

Caution advised

Well, this caught my attention: "Wilkin County authorities are warning residents to watch for coyotes after multiple sightings." At first I thought: Is there really any novelty to this? Don't we in Morris hear coyotes outside of town in the evening? 

When I was with the newspaper I'd cover the annual "predator hunt." I didn't actually go out with the guys but I'd visit their gathering at the end of the day. The newspaper got complaints after a photo I took one year. It showed dead wolves or coyotes on the floor. 

The hunters met at a garage type of place. I remember the year that the baked beans got burned! We all make mistakes. 

A letter to the editor voiced a complaint. I will not say the letter was completely out of bounds. I can understand why children might be disturbed at the sight of these dead animals which can look like standard dogs. I have probably heard coyotes out north of where I live and thought they were regular dogs. Kicking up a fuss about something. Actually I live right down the road from actual dog kennels. But no, coyotes/wolves are quite different from "man's best friend." 

Wilkin County: that's not far from here. If authorities there feel they have to issue a warning, it might well be pertinent for us. 

I remember discussing the book and movie "Into the Wild" with Liz Morrison. A point she made that I have not forgotten is: "We tend to romanticize the wilderness when in fact the wilderness is a dangerous place." 

So correct. And so many people underestimate the dangers of water. Look what happened to the former pastor of Faith Lutheran Church on Lake Superior a couple years ago. He was enjoying some ice skating. We lost Pastor Greg Garmer, RIP. Bodies of water of all kinds are to be respected. I feel it's just best to stay off them. I would advise not snowmobiling on them! One mistake and your life will end. And what a terrible way to go. 

A couple years ago I emailed an attorney friend about whether the City of Morris would have liability if someone were to be attacked by an animal out along the biking/walking trail. He responded no, that the city is protected by "government sovereignty." 

The surroundings are sure wild along the trail. And recently the city sent its mower equipment to create a wider open area along the trail. Perhaps they got a complaint from someone who was startled by a deer bounding out in front of them. One complaint would probably do it. But if you're so jittery about wildlife, maybe stay away from the trail. 

A couple years ago there were skunks along the north end including the young ones. I observed a couple of the young ones playing with each other: cute. And skunks themselves might seem cute and agreeable - like cats really - if it were not for the one big issue we associate with them. "Pepe LePew!" 

The trail is right by the Pomme de Terre River. It is bound to be a magnet for wildlife. My former pastor at First Lutheran Church likes to take nature walks. I put him on to Niemackl Park near Herman. And he has told me he has seen coyotes from the biking/walking trail east of Morris. 

Taylor Mitchell

Well, I had read about the Canadian country music singer who was attacked and killed by coyotes in Canada. I read that the coyotes were actually part wolves. They had become deprived of a normal food source. Well I can imagine that could happen anywhere in the delicate ecosystem. The singer's name was Taylor Mitchell.  

If coyote attacks cannot be ruled out, well it has to be worrisome. And now we have the official advisory out of Breckenridge about coyotes. If it can happen there, we must be mindful. The news report on "Valley News Live" stated "the coyotes are reportedly approaching people and pets." 

Pets: I remember photographing the eagle that had its nest along the shore of Lake Crystal. Magnificent bird of course but you wouldn't dare leave a small pet outside. 

Liz Morrison said we can romanticize the outdoors too much. Well it certainly didn't help that Walt Disney gave us "anthropomorphic characters" out of the wild. Totally charmed us like with the "sea otter." Playful little creature, right? In reality, be careful about ever "taking a dip" in a wild setting. I have seen news reports of people getting severely bit by otters. Walt Disney gave us an otter creature that had a name! So deceptive. 

Don't you think that if you noticed some coyotes east of Morris by the bike trail, you'd be nervous now? Maybe your heart would skip a beat? I have wondered if people get heart attacks when "flushing" a pheasant within a few feet. My it's a ruckus. We can't even rule out coming upon a bear. Odds are very low but we can't rule it out. But the city has "government sovereignty" to protect itself. 

I live in a semi-rural place. We get endless reminders about the natural world and how it can encroach. 

You know, the last two winters have been essentially snowless and we had a very wet summer, so I would think that wildlife is really multiplying. I had a woodpecker on side of house recently. So I dove into YouTube and found I'm hardly alone with such a thing. That's a great thing about YouTube: if you think you're alone having a certain type of problem, you are corrected immediately. I picked up some tips about woodpeckers. 

Remember the anthropomorphic character "Woody Woodpecker?" I employed two or three of the tips so now maybe it's problem solved. We on Northridge Drive get a fox darting through our backyards sometimes. Just once have I seen a fox lying down for a few moments in the yard. 

The person who complained about the "dead animals" photo in the Morris paper was Ken Hodgson, bless him. There are two sides on that. On the one hand, predator hunts are really called for. But I can understand how kids seeing the photo might be disturbed. 

I enjoyed the complimentary baked beans. I remember Keith Kirwin with his all-white outfit which is standard for predator hunters in winter.

I miss the days when I made the rounds taking photos. All that was suddenly taken away from me. I was told suddenly (in effect) that my sports section was a disgrace. And I was immediately made into a pariah in the workplace, a "toxic workplace" as they say. That whole experience bothers me to this day. 

At least I was working hard. That brought no guarantee of respect. Many people leave their jobs under duress. While it's common I'm sure, our nature is to not talk about it much. The late commentator Ed Schultz understood that. He said that being a commentator on TV was "all about pacing." Did you know he played quarterback for Moorhead State?

I'm sure Ken Hodgson is watching developments at UMM closely now. He once directed the choir when music was in its salad days. Right now it appears the sharks are circling for UMM. We're just waiting on the details. An excruciating wait.

A friend told me that life will go on at UMM but with fewer fields of study. But that would only mean fewer students, right? 

 

Taylor Mitchell died at the age of 19 of injuries and blood loss after two eastern coyotes (coywolves) mauled her while she was walking along Cape Briton Highlands National Park's Skyline Trail.

 

= Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com