West Seattle coyotes: Two spotted in Roxhill area

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Out of the WSB inbox, from Kari:

Last night around 3 am, we spotted two healthy adult coyotes and maybe a younger one walking down our street on 31st PL SW just north of Roxbury [map]. They were heading north, but might’ve ducked behind a neighbor’s house to the east of us. There’s a big ravine down there, but we also have a ton of cats on our street including our own, so maybe that’s what attracted them.

Expert advice on what to do if you see coyote(s) – and how best to keep them at bay – can be found here, as well as in this WSB story from last month.

payrollgirl August 27, 2013 (4:14 pm)

UH OH!!!! Keep those Kit Cats inside and no food of any kind outside.

gia August 27, 2013 (4:45 pm)

i have also seen coyotes on 30th and Roxbury. Approximately the same time, and about two weeks, ago, i heard the callling of coyotes. Started as a yip turned into a howl. Sounded like they were moving away from Roxbury towards the 9800 block. Sounded like maybe 2 or 3 at the most. I have two cats, and a dog, and i make sure they are inside after dark.

Ex-Westwood Resident August 27, 2013 (8:09 pm)

I got a nice Ruger .22 with a scope that’ll solve the coyote problems in my neighborhood if I see one!!

Homedk August 27, 2013 (10:05 pm)

During that same timeframe (around 3 AM or so), we were awakened by what sadly sounded like a kitty/coyote altercation on or near our neighbor’ porch. It happened so quickly that we didn’t see anything, but the sounds were pretty unmistakable. We are in the Fairmount neighborhood, just west of Camp Long.

eric1 August 27, 2013 (11:06 pm)

FYI the discharge of firearms in the city without good reason is illegal. There aren’t many places in West Seattle that have a safe “backstop” if you choose to shoot at a coyote from your yard. You may be surprised to find out what percentage of your neighbors don’t like being in the line of fire.
.
In the name of safety, if you want to discharge firearms from your porch, please change you residence and handle to reflect being an Ex-WS Resident. The residents “out there” may be more closely aligned with your attitudes and values as opposed to the ones “over here”.

Ex-Westwood Resident August 28, 2013 (8:42 am)

First of all Eric1,
I have been trained to be aware of what I am shooting at, what is behind the target and to HIT the target I’m shooting at.
It’s called “Situational Awarness”
If I do shoot you can be DAMNED sure there won’t be ANYONE or ANYTHING else in danger of being hit with the exception of my target.
A 148 score (30 Rounds at 100 yards; 28 in the 5pt ring, 2 in the 4pt ring – repeated that score 3 TIMES) using a well worn M1-A1 WITHOUT a scope ensures that.

Ex-Westwood Resident August 28, 2013 (10:30 am)

Excuse me…that was supposed to be “a well worn M4-A1” It is the updated version of the M-16 (AR-15 Semi-Auto – there is NO fully automatic version for civilians) in the civilian world.
The M1-A1 is a WWII era weapon. Still an AWESOME carbine

gia August 28, 2013 (12:37 pm)

“situational awareness” is fine, but what about collateral damage? we live in a densely populated area and all of that fierepower for a coyote? seems like a bit much to me.

Ex-Westwood Resident August 28, 2013 (1:19 pm)

Firepower!!!!
ROFLMAO!!!!
A .22 is a SMALL round used to hunt small game like rabbits.
Collateral damage?!?!?!?!
One shot, one dead coyote.
The .22 is a one shot per trigger pull with a 10 round magazine.
I think you need some education on firearms.

gia August 28, 2013 (2:08 pm)

will not deny that i am not as knowledgeable as you regarding firearms. One thing that I DO know is that in any firearms class, adherence to local laws is stressed (you do know the responsible gun owner concept?) and shooting firearms at coyotes from your porch is definitely not legal. Thanks for your points of view regarding firearms. Thats what makes WS a great place to live. Different opinions regarding topics. What doesnt make WS a great place to live are people that behave irresponsibly.

Ex-Westwood Resident August 28, 2013 (3:27 pm)

gia,
Agreed!!!
Owning a firearm comes with GREAT responsability, which I take VERY seriously!
Anyone purchasing a firearm for the first time should be required to attend a gun safety course at least once.
But then again, if I see a coyote in my yard, if it’s still there when I come back with my rifle, it’s one dead coyote. I have lost three cats and a friend of mine had thier two small dogs dragged away from thier FENCED backyard by two of them. They were able to save one, but the other…..