WOW... Hear anything? Kinda scary.

We now have coyotes in suburban Maryland, less than an hour from Washington D.C. Who woulda thought?

In our neighbourhood we co-exist with bears, raccoons, skunks and coyotes. Over the summer we had a cougar warning - now that is scary.

Many of the trails I hike have large signs at the trailhead warning of Mountain Lions. I never hike alone in these areas. Scares the bejezzus out of me.

Jodi-

Two years ago DH saw a cougar on one of the berms along a major highway in our town while he was walking our dog. They aren't all that big, but there's no mistaking one for a house cat!

We've been treated to hearing an owl three evenings lately. We cut down a big swath of invasive buckthorn along our creek two summers ago. It's grown up with mostly native plants -- nice location for Owl Food. (I wish he'd take some of the residents running in our front yard -- driving our Westie nuts.)

Last night when I got up to go to the bathroom, I tied Izzi to my front porch as I always do when she wants out in the dark. I sat looking out the storm door as Izzi sniffed the front porch. When I looked up, this side of the dusk till dawn light was a very, very big coyote! I don't know where it came from as it was not there when I looked down at Izzi but was there when I looked up and it was staring right at us. I opened the storm door and it took off in a couple leaps into the woods from the drive. Izzi never did even hear it and neither did I. That is why I always tie her especially at night and I always watch her. Never know what is out in the dark. I know I have very large tracks all the time in my garden.

Sue in Central Indiana

Could be a bobcat, mountain lion, or even a big racoon. Usually mountain lions won't come that close unless they have lost the fear of people, hungry or sick. Just keep your doors locked and windows closed for a few days and yes they will try to come in if they smell food or are sick looking for a place to hide.

Sue--if you put Izzi on the porch tied up, PLEASE stay with her and a coyote will come right up on the porch. Now that coyote know about the small dog, he/she will come back Make sure you turn lights on around the house and make noise and keep her on a rope etc and be prepared to pick her up if you hear anything. Some coyotes are not afraid of anything and will try to even take a small pet out of your arms. Just stay safe
Do you have a small gun? Even a 22 would be good.
We had them in CA and lost lots of cats over the years to them and a friend lost a small dog.
Marie

Marie, I always watch her while she is outside and she is always tied to the inside of the house. I sit right by the storm door and watch. No I do not have a gun.

Sue

We have raccoon problems. They love to get in the attics of the condos. Create all sorts of problems.

This big cat has been spotted, and is not a raccoon.

Tends to linger a few days then moves on. We just have to take pracautions when it is around.

We're told when there is an absence of squirrel and chipmunks to beware! They are gone right now and isn't the season, they are probably dinner!

Sad story: My brother and SIL's house is at the edge of a deep forest. One night, SIL got up to let their pomeranian out to do his business, then before going out with him, ran back to the bedroom to get her slippers. On her way outside, she heard what she called an "altercation". Their dog was never seen or heard from again. That's how fast it can happen. Of course, she is still grieving and feels tremendous guilt because if she had been with the dog the whole time, it might not have happened. They assume it was a coyote, since they live in the area.