So I just got back from another work trip in Montana. As usual, my eyes are in a constant state of scanning for wildlife along the way. Among many things, I spotted a coyote standing on the side of the road. It was 11:30 in the morning and he was just standing there, I knew something was wrong. I pulled the truck over and walked cautiously back to where I had seen him, he was still there, but didn't look right. As I got closer to him I could see what the problem was.
He'd apparently been hit by a car, at least one of his back legs was broke, and he wouldn't walk more than a couple steps then lay back down. I easily got to within grabbing range just to see what if anything could be done. I prodded at him with a stick to see how peppy he was, and he reacted with a quick snap at it. I sat down and thought about it for a minute, I knew that even if I managed to "secure" him and take to an animal control or something, they'd probably just euthanize the poor little guy anyway. So I figured rather than risk injury and or further injury to either of us, it would be better to just do the deed right there and end his suffering.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit this
, but I have actually never put my hands on a coyote that I shot. Over the years I've shot at many, even hit a couple, but they for one reason or another were never recovered. I felt sad that the first had to be this poor little guy, he was a beautiful specimen, and in otherwise good health. I know that most people hate them and shoot them at every opportunity, I would do the same in a fair chase situation. But deep down inside me there is something that says; everybody should get a fair chance at life, be it a person or a coyote. I've raised rabbits that I orphaned (cesarean Via AK-47), Racoons that were orphaned, ect. I would still shoot rabbits, coons, coyotes or whatever, but I dont think its fair that they not get a shot at life. Once they are up and grown, they are fair game like anything else.
Anyways, I felt bad about it but I shot the poor little guy with my 239Sig 9MM, one good shot through the oil pump finished him almost instantly. Hopefully the next time I run into a coyote, it will be a fair challenge.
He'd apparently been hit by a car, at least one of his back legs was broke, and he wouldn't walk more than a couple steps then lay back down. I easily got to within grabbing range just to see what if anything could be done. I prodded at him with a stick to see how peppy he was, and he reacted with a quick snap at it. I sat down and thought about it for a minute, I knew that even if I managed to "secure" him and take to an animal control or something, they'd probably just euthanize the poor little guy anyway. So I figured rather than risk injury and or further injury to either of us, it would be better to just do the deed right there and end his suffering.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit this
Anyways, I felt bad about it but I shot the poor little guy with my 239Sig 9MM, one good shot through the oil pump finished him almost instantly. Hopefully the next time I run into a coyote, it will be a fair challenge.
