Coyotoon Spotted on Property

[Donna P.]

There is a photo that has been on our page for months, and I thought that you might enjoy hearing how that photo came to be.

 

For a bit of history, we welcomed a pair of geese a couple of years ago, but they have since been evicted. They are bad tenants….. too messy. We have tried a few humane goose deterrents, and the things that have been most successful for us are Wily and Yodi, the two coyote decoys. Geese are rather big birds, but note the size of their heads….tiny brains. They are easily fooled by a plastic dog with no legs. We had left Yodi out all winter as he was guarding our pond plants from the marauding deer. When we witnessed two pair of geese engaging in a bidding war over our small island, we went in search of Wily. We found Wily and his stake, but we couldn’t find his furry tail anywhere. What self respecting coyote would stand guard with a naked butt? So I went on EBay and bought a coonskin cap with a genuine raccoon tail. With a small modification, Wily now is sporting a very fashionable rear accessory.

Wiley Coyote with a Raccoon Tail

 

Now, I think Bayley is pretty darn smart, and I have been bragging about her here on these pages, but even she was fooled the first time she laid eyes on Wily. Maybe the smell of the tail was sending mixed signals. She wasn’t intimidated at all, but wanted to engage Wiley in a game of tag. Bayley definitely had the advantage there, being as she had legs. Wiley may not run fast, but he can spin on a dime.

Nice Piece of Tail!

Come on, Let's play!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

LOVE that last shot!

[Bonnie and Kona]

too much fun! I remember this story but it wasn't as detailed as I recall. Bayly you are so cute. 

[Donna P.]

The geese are fooled for a while. It helps to reposition the coyotes periodically, but even so, the geese get used to them eventually. We've found that a really strong laser pointer flashed across their bodies disturbs them. Our biggest advantage is that our pond is about a half acre and surrounded by tall trees. The geese don't have a good long take off path, so they only come by at nesting time.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for posting.  Love the coyotoon explanation.  If I ever have a goose problem, I will know what how to deter them and have fun at the same time!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Love your coyotoon.  It fooled me!  So how did this work?  Any ducks around?

[Carol and Banjo]

Bayley, you are so cute......

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Holy cow - it had ME fooled!  :)

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

How cute that she wants to play!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I fell for it for a few moments myself! Thank goodness I can read.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Now that is funny. I am glad and surprised your coyotoon works so well. Around here the parks folks have to keep changing tactics.