Protecting turkeys from coyotes

Alpacas, Great Pyrenese and donkeys (democrats?? finally, a use for them) are nice, but nearly as permanent as my favorite, a well placed 55gr BT.
 
They use all the above around here to protect the large sheep herds. The Great Pyrenese are impressive. I have seen them tear up yotes left and right. I am afraid that every now and then I might call one in and have a hell of a fight on my hands.
 
Elks-- The Great Pyrenees I have seen are extremely protective of their turf--highly territorial. Even if you are a human being, they may try to get rid of you if you are in the area they regularly patrol. I used to call coyotes on a sheep rancher's place who had a couple of Great Pyrenees dogs. He insisted that I call him or stop in at his place BEFORE I went out on his land to call coytoes so he could lock the dogs up while I was on his land. I'm glad he did that because I wouldn't want one of those huge dogs coming after my neck!!! Or any other part of me for that matter either /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
 
great-pyrenees.jpg

I'm sure these dogs make fine rual security, I have heared they also are protective of the masters ofspring.
Be that as it may I belive this article is just another low-key anti-hunting peice.

I know of a proven way to help Turkeys. You need to deal with the nestraiders. That includes racoons, coyotes, possums, and critters as such. It's alot less work and much more fun then trying to manage any animals with more animals.
 
All very true. I do fear those big dogs. Around here they move the sheep a bunch and you never know where you might bump into one that had fallen behind. the thing they failled to mention is that those dogs are free on the range. I have yet to see a sheep herder purchase any dog food or feed the big dogs at all. Not to mention that hte gerneral consenus around here is that if you feed them, they will never leave to tend the stock, just hang around you. I have a feeling that they eat a lot of game rabbits, deer etc. Infact we saw several eating a dead calf elk once. The problem was it had been dead a while and we couldn't prove that the dogs took it down. I am convinced that they take their share of game as well as the herders around here do.

Also wait til the video gets out of a couple great big man raised dogs completely dismembering a coyote. It is very graphic to watch and has made my me turn and cringe.

It is way better to be shot to death than it is to be maulled by something or several something 5-6 times your size.
 
Silverfox, they are all over here, not just on the landowners land. i almost alway call on public land and still keep my eyes open.
 
As an owner of a three year old Great Pyrenees male, I can assure you they are very protective. This is my third Pyr in 20 years. My current dog came from a ranch in Watford City, ND, his mother has never had human contact, his father will come up to the barn after dark only to watch over the house and buildings. These dogs are amazing. I can take my dog to a public park, walk for miles around town, have many other dogs come up to him and give him a bad time, and he will simply stand there. Now, if he is at home and something comes in to our yard, it's dead. That is what they are designed to do. These dogs are not ones that go looking for trouble, they will shy away from it most of the time unless you have invaded there teritory. Personally, I would not be afraid of these dogs while hunting. They will bark to warn you way before you get close enough for them to hurt you. If you ignore their warnig and proceed, God help you. A Pyr will also remember you for life if you are introduced to him or her. I will also go on record that most working dogs in the field are fed by their owners. You may not recognize regular dog bowls out in the pasture, they are fed with large self feeding hoppers that get filled perhaps once a month or so. I have been around these dogs for years and have never heard of them stalking and killing anything for food. The wild prey would be gone before these dogs ever got close enough. Now Coyotes are a whole different ball game. Some times they will not heed the Pyrs warning and come in anyway, not for long though. They are no match for a Pyr. These dogs were used in the French mountains to protect from Bears and Wolves. They wore a iron collar with spikes around their neck for protection. With the iron collar, they would take on anything that comes in to harm their flock.
 
Back
Top