When our Arizona weather finally cools and it's time for the Prospectors to come out, I, and a lot of others, pack up the equipment and head north to the gold fields(AKA Gold basin, Arizona)...
While the rest of the country is freezing during the winter months, we busy ourselves with prying rather small pieces of the yellow metal from the desert sands. Strangers to these parts might think that they are all alone out there...DON'T bet on it! There are more critters creeping, crawling, and sneaking around out there than one might first imagine. Some extremely dangerous, some you hear howl at night, but seldom see in daylight. That long lonesome sound one hears at night are Coyotes...
If anyone has ever watched cartoons they may well have see the infamous Roadrunner, being chased by Wiley Coyote. Actually, we have both of these cute little guys running around out here, but I have yet to see the Coyote chasing the ever superior Roadrunner. Reality is that it would be by trickery only that a Coyote would ever have a chance of catching a Roadrunner. That skinny little bird is faster than a rattlesnake...
The problem we have with the coyotes around here is that too many people leave too much trash and food around and these scrawny little dogs are always hungry. Although, most of us carry a pistol when we are out and about, in Arizona, the Coyotes are seldom seen during the day and seldom shot at, so they tend to become a bit over confident, and by nature, are more than curious...
I remember on one occasion, I had stayed the night; Just me, a very long night and it sounded like a thousand Coyotes, howling all night long. Finally, morning came and at first daylight I put the coffee pot on and while it brewed I decided to walk down to the wash and check on my drywasher; Not that there was anyone around to steal it...
Like I said, I was still waiting on my first cup of coffee and I didn't even think about strapping on my gun before I jumped down in the wash. I checked and all seemed well. My equipment was still there and intact. THEN, I just HAPPENED to look up. I hadn't heard a sound but, there they were: Two Coyotes, standing only a few feet away...Just watching...ME!
Normally, Coyotes are rather shy and keep their distance. For the most part, they don't trust humans, and they shouldn't , but at this particular moment I could only wonder...Were they just OVER confident, just curious, were they totally desperate..or what? I was sure missing my 38 caliber at the moment.
I remember when I was a kid and we lived on a ranch in Nebraska, my brother and I witnessed two very skinny and hungry Coyotes trying to pull down a full grown cow. They didn't have much luck and the cow just kept butting them with her head and knocking them off their feet. They finally gave up and went looking for something much smaller, but the point is: With Coyotes, you can never be sure what is going through their minds... OR their intentions...
I, slowly, eased my way back to the Pickup and immediately retrieved my gun. I watched the coyotes, which remained for a while and at last moved on. I THINK they were just looking for a free meal, but I didn't make that mistake again. I wouldn't harm one of them unless I had no choice, because I know they (like all of us) get hungry and need to live.
I had my coffee and went to work, but remained watchful the rest of day. The Coyotes had disappeared for now...Out of sight, but I knew they were there...and watching! Why wouldn't they be...This is their home...
While the rest of the country is freezing during the winter months, we busy ourselves with prying rather small pieces of the yellow metal from the desert sands. Strangers to these parts might think that they are all alone out there...DON'T bet on it! There are more critters creeping, crawling, and sneaking around out there than one might first imagine. Some extremely dangerous, some you hear howl at night, but seldom see in daylight. That long lonesome sound one hears at night are Coyotes...
If anyone has ever watched cartoons they may well have see the infamous Roadrunner, being chased by Wiley Coyote. Actually, we have both of these cute little guys running around out here, but I have yet to see the Coyote chasing the ever superior Roadrunner. Reality is that it would be by trickery only that a Coyote would ever have a chance of catching a Roadrunner. That skinny little bird is faster than a rattlesnake...
I remember on one occasion, I had stayed the night; Just me, a very long night and it sounded like a thousand Coyotes, howling all night long. Finally, morning came and at first daylight I put the coffee pot on and while it brewed I decided to walk down to the wash and check on my drywasher; Not that there was anyone around to steal it...
Like I said, I was still waiting on my first cup of coffee and I didn't even think about strapping on my gun before I jumped down in the wash. I checked and all seemed well. My equipment was still there and intact. THEN, I just HAPPENED to look up. I hadn't heard a sound but, there they were: Two Coyotes, standing only a few feet away...Just watching...ME!
I remember when I was a kid and we lived on a ranch in Nebraska, my brother and I witnessed two very skinny and hungry Coyotes trying to pull down a full grown cow. They didn't have much luck and the cow just kept butting them with her head and knocking them off their feet. They finally gave up and went looking for something much smaller, but the point is: With Coyotes, you can never be sure what is going through their minds... OR their intentions...
I, slowly, eased my way back to the Pickup and immediately retrieved my gun. I watched the coyotes, which remained for a while and at last moved on. I THINK they were just looking for a free meal, but I didn't make that mistake again. I wouldn't harm one of them unless I had no choice, because I know they (like all of us) get hungry and need to live.
I had my coffee and went to work, but remained watchful the rest of day. The Coyotes had disappeared for now...Out of sight, but I knew they were there...and watching! Why wouldn't they be...This is their home...
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