Discreet Thermal Night Predator Control

“HELLO, folks! My name is Miley. That’s me…”

“Oh, no, no—it's not what you're thinking. I’m alive and quite well.”

“I should probably explain the picture.

That pic was taken by the Huntsman—the fellow whose place I visit from time to time. He hasn't harmed me, and as far as I can tell, he isn't looking for a reason to. He watches me, keeps an eye on where I go, and every once in a while makes it very clear that I’m getting too close.

But this is my home.

Not here specifically. My den is down over the mountain, tucked away where the forest gets thick and quiet. It's well hidden, and that's the way I like it. I’m a mother, after all, and my pups don't need to be advertising where they sleep.

I come up this way because the forest around the Huntsman's place is loaded with mice.

Mice, moles, the occasional rat—those are all pretty good reasons for a coyote like me to make the rounds.

And then there’s the chicken coop next door.

Now, I’m not going to lie. That place has possibilities.

The fellow who lives there sometimes leaves eggs and bedding out behind the place. I can smell everything from quite a distance. When nobody is around, I slip through the woods, have a look, find something worth eating, and disappear again.

It's been a pretty good feeding area.

His dogs have a big fenced yard, and that fence is no joke. It's about fifty inches tall and extends a few inches into the ground. There isn't much chance of me wandering in there by accident.

And honestly?

That's fine with me.

I have no interest in tangling with Ol' Putins—oh heck no, and the Huntsman has no interest in chasing me around the forest. We've reached an understanding, and honestly it's not a bad arrangement.

Why I provide a valuable contribution to any balanced ecosystem that can sustain me by keeping smaller predators in check as well as rodent control. Ground nesting birds in particular benefit greatly by having me around.

Where was I? Oh yes, the Huntsman ...

Alright, I'll admit, maybe he has yelled at me a few times and sometimes he throws a rock into the trees—not at me, mind you, but into the woods to make the point that it's time for me to move along.

I get it.

He's telling me to keep my distance.

So I do.

Most of the time.

I don't bother him, and he doesn't bother me.

I hunt my mice. I check the woods. I keep my distance from the dogs. Then I head back down the mountain to my den.

That's how things work when everybody respects the boundaries.

And that's something I learned up here—no boundaries = open invitation.

If you have coyotes, raccoons, foxes, skunks, or other wildlife repeatedly showing up around your home, the first question shouldn't always be, ‘Who can come remove it?’

Sometimes the better question is, ‘What is bringing it here?’

Food left outside can be an invitation.

Pet food, unsecured garbage, fallen fruit, chicken feed, eggs, compost, or other attractants can turn a quiet yard into a regular feeding station.

And fencing matters, big time.

If an animal is getting into an area where it shouldn't be, exclusion is always the first line of defense. A good fencing company can help homeowners design barriers that keep wildlife away from gardens, livestock, pets, chicken coops, and other vulnerable areas.

Make the easy meal disappear.

Secure the food.

Fix the fence.

Remove the invitation.

Then, if there's still a serious problem, call the Huntsman.

Because the Huntsman's animal damage control program isn't about chasing every wild animal out of the woods simply because it exists.

It's about responding when wildlife becomes a genuine threat to a home, livestock, pets, or property—or when a dangerous animal needs immediate attention.

Coyotes.

Hogs.

And other animals capable of causing serious damage.

As for me?

I'm Miley.

I'm a coyote. I'm a mother. I know these woods better than most people ever will.

I know where the mice hide.

I know where the deer travel.

And I know which places are best left alone.

So don't worry about me.

I'll keep doing what coyotes do.

I'll hunt my mice, check the woods, visit when nobody is watching, and head home when the Huntsman tells me I've stayed long enough.

After all, he's got his yard.

I've got my forest.

And there's plenty of room for both of us.

Goodnight, folks.

I'm Miley.

And tomorrow, I'll probably be back.”