Name:   Lifer - Subject:   Coyotes Smith Mtn area Date:   9/29/2014 4:52:59 PM

It has been 8-10 years since my personal sighting but I have talked with others who know of sightings much more recent than mine.  I can't imagine that one would stay anywhere for very long without a mate though so it is very likely there is more than one around.  A very quick Google search did educate me just now to the fact that they are solitary and don't have ''packs" or "groups" of any kind but still have the urge to mate, as all animals.  I suspect we have a small population in the area.  When I looked up their range years ago I was a little surprised to learn that we are right on the northern edge of their range.  There is more than ample game in thre area to support them.  I live near the end of a slough and several winters ago there was a dead doe that showed up in the very end.  Cause of death was not obviuos to casual observation, but what makes it note worthy is that she dissapeared the next night.  Others credited Coyotes for the dissapearance, but I am skeptical as she was quite large and it would have taken substantial cooperation for a pack of coyotes to accomplish moving her.  The panther I saw however could have toted her off with little effort.  It was a very large cat.

I would like to see it again.  It was a magnificent animal.  I watched it cross an open field right at the tree line and had an unobstructed view for five to six seconds.  Head to tail tip it was as long as Madwind Road is wide.  I had two sightings about 2-3 weeks apart.  I know a couple folks that have trail cams set up in the area and check with them occasionally to see if they have caught an image of one.  I am sure it is only a matter of time.  I don't think there is any need for anyone to panic over them.  They have been around for a at least a decade and have caused no problems for humans that I know of.