West Seattle coyote sightings: Gatewood and golf course

| Coyotes | Gatewood | West Seattle news | Wildlife

ORIGINAL 3:15 PM REPORT: Just spotted by WSB co-publisher Patrick, who was driving, solo, and unable to photograph, a coyote running down the middle of California SW, southbound, at SW Holden in Gatewood (map). (He reported it as more of a traffic alert – since more than a few drivers had to slow down.) We suspect it’s off the main route now, as we just looked in that direction from California/Thistle and no sign of anything four-footed but a dog out jogging with its person.

ADDED 5:24 PM: From Jake:
I was jogging tonight in Camp Long around dusk. After doing a few laps of the trails, I decided to cut through the woods to the outer path of the golf course. Once there, I noticed a coyote running right at me. I stopped, stomped, and yelled, and it backed off. A few moments later, it again ran toward me and I stopped it the same way. Eventually I scared it off, and continued running south toward Hudson street. As I turned left along the fence, I saw two coyotes running silently toward me across the grass. I quickly cut through the Arborvitae and hopped the fence onto Hudson street. Very scary!! I’ve run and hiked in wooded areas all my life, and come across wildlife often. This is the first time I’ve ever been pursued. Please warn your readers about this!

Jay December 30, 2010 (7:00 pm)

I’ve never encountered any of these behaviors before. I wonder if it’s time they were trapped and relocated?

CitizenR December 30, 2010 (7:35 pm)

Haven’t encountered this behavior either … have come upon a few in the evening in our alley … I slowly back away and they do the same!!! Hope they stay as scared as me!!!! Yikes!!!

WestSide45 December 30, 2010 (9:00 pm)

The golf course, even the outer perimeter, is not a jogging trail. It is a safety issue (you never know where golf balls may come from, and once you see one heading toward you it is too late). Coyotes are known to frequent both Camp Long and the golf course.

Cheri December 31, 2010 (3:55 pm)

I wrote a blog concerning the amount of cats and other small animals being taken away by coyotes. I’ve called the Fish and Wildlife and the responce was that they get many complaints but can not do anything because of the Initiative 713 passed in the 2000. No trapping or poisening, or relocating. PLEASE call and make your complaints as many times as you need to. # 425775 1311 Fish&Wildlife. I fear next and soon it might be a child facing these animals and will not know what to do. The over population has become a serious problem and YES something needs to be done. They are not just in the wooded areas but right on our neighborhood streets.Please make those calls.

Penny Winfield December 31, 2010 (4:59 pm)

There have been several coyote sightings in the new High Point community including one walking between some of the houses. Last week, one was seen outside some of the townhouses at 9:00 in the morning. The coyotes have lost much of their territory and are looking for new sources of food. I just don’t want anyone hurt and will call the above number.

TLM January 1, 2011 (5:10 pm)

Don’t worry folks, as soon as the wolves move in they will take care of your coyote problem. Of course you will then have a wolf problem…

Scott F. January 1, 2011 (6:32 pm)

I live in the Sylvan Ridge Townhome development and today at 2:30 PM there were three large, very healthy looking coyotes less than 100 feet from my home. I had just been out on the street with my dog 20 minutes earlier. I have seen a single coyote once before at dusk in the woods near my home but to see three of them together in the middle of the afternoon is a little scary.