Today I went out to my little deck to have my coffee and let the dog out. I noticed a familiar grey shape hiding in the grass looking for a cat snack. My dog noticed too. Once she is in hunting mode human words can’t stop her. I knew what needed to happen.

I ran grabbed my 3030 couldn’t find my pocket knife. I found a plastic case with three bullets. I grabbed a claw hammer (for close combat) still wearing sandals (no time to change) and ran into the place my kids call the dark forest. A thicket so dense with spruce a full size human can only bulldoze his body through.

I found my dog and a very large coyote deep in the bush. The coyote charged my dog and saw me changed direction. He was charging me. I flipped a shell into the chamber cocked the rifle aimed and fired. I answered his charge with a lead projectile, I missed, I splintered a tree near his face. He quickly retreated into the dense thicket. We followed.

The coyote was yipping now, his courage back and was trying to lure us into a trap where he could make another charge. Now I was armed with a 3030, my eastwing claw hammer and a 100 pound dog. A trap wasn’t really a problem.

Ahead of me I could  see the bushes moving, below my feet were the feathers of a Canada goose that had fallen prey to the predator. I was deep within his lair expecting another charge from more than one, I pressed ahead. I finally emerged from the dark forest into a cut line that had been cleared for the power lines on my property.

The cowardly taunting from the coyote had ended, he was gone. I am missing a couple of seasoned cats. I know they can handle a predator, I trust that they survived and will be back from their hiding spots when they know it is safe.

Do I like killing, nope, would prefer living in harmony with nature, but I will do what I have to, to protect those I love.

Now sitting down to type this it was painfully apparent that I was disabled, my back very sore. During the battle I forgot my pain, Now I have time to feel it.

Do I think this is my last battle with the coyotes, nope all part of country life. I expect a visit soon from my spring bear, he never bothers us, just meanders through onto his next destination. While I was in the dark forest I also saw signs that my pet moose Luna or one of her offspring were still around. The foxes will be coming, my cats think they are cute and often play with them.

The only real enemies I have here are the coyotes and a couple of farmers who really don’t care about the damage they do to the environment with their chemicals.  I can shoot the coyotes.