DEATH ON THE FARM

Artie and I had just returned from our first turkey sorte and were about to go in for coffee, when I turned and looked across the road. There in the front paddock lay two big bloody carcasses. MY GOD! The emus were dead. For those who don't know an emu is a big goofy bird, that stands five foot or more at the head. They have powerful legs and when encroached upon by geese they run like runway models in high heels and a head full of crank. I could watch those birds for hours zigging and zagging across the field. And now they were gone. Coyotes had killed the emus.
I called Carlito and told him the bad news. None of it made sense. In the spring there's plenty of much easier game for coyotes to tackle. All the critters are giving birth. Deer are dropping fawns. Turkeys are having chicks. Mice are everywhere. What would drive a coyote pack to take on these two big birds? And it had to be a pack. I'd witnessed single coyotes come upon those birds only to turn and run, tail between their legs when the emus faced them. But a pack is a different story. Two or more coyotes can take down a full grown deer. Yet, that is usually in the depth of winter. In Spring? No way.
I've seen two coyotes within the past week, while turkey hunting, but neither was close enough for a shot. It's also not coyote season. But now all bets are off. If they are packed up and running these ridges they can menace anyone. Hikers, hunters, Carlito's little boy....can all be in danger. We may have to hunt them at night, or call in a trapper. Mother nature can be very cruel. In the words of that TV announcer- "Why do you think they call them animals?"