Some Comments From A Canadian On The Gifted Young Song Writer Killed By Coyotes In A Canadian National Park

Interestingly enough Taylor was a graduate from Etobicoke School of the Arts the high school that Matthew goes to. She was of course a couple of years or so older. Matthew knew of her but didn’t know her. ESA will be sad today with a graduate gone.

But at the end of the day we have always said – don’t hike alone. It was though very unusual for coyotes to attack. But any large animal will attack if they believe you are prey. Always, always, always when confronted with a larger wild animal be aggressive – don’t run, don’t show fear (even if you are afraid) and don’t shit your pants. If you do you change from a challenger to prey in the eyes of the wild animal. Wild animals are not stupid and don’t attack randomly. You have to effectively stand up to them. If you do and I don’t mean attack them (that is just stupid as well) but demonstrate that you are not afraid that are prepared to fight but all the time yelling, waving arms even throwing rocks, but don’t look at them in the eye and always back off facing them. The idea is to demonstrate that you are prepared to fight if challenged but would rather not. They usually decide that it is not worth the effort as well and they too will move on (normally). Naturally of course we don’t know how Taylor responded to the coyotes. Coyotes are really a larger dog and not that big (wolves are a lot bigger but wolves are very rational thinking animals). The animal I have the least comfort with is a moose. Moose are unpredictable especially if it is rutting season. You can’t deal with effectively a dumb ½ tonne plus beast.

We were in Nova Scotia ourselves in 08. We were in Cape Breton (stunningly beautiful) and we were hiking. We encountered no large wildlife but saw numerous moose signs and saw some bear scat. We hiked in the Yukon, the Rockies, and of course here in Ontario. We have encountered numerous signs of wildlife (moose, bear, wolves, coyotes). But over the years only met a moose and a bear face to face. Both moved on. But we were travelling minimum in a pair and we are usually 4. Never hike alone. Very dangerous.

But then there is one small consideration with bears. Grizzly bears. LOL.

Allegedly on a sign in BC. (paraphrased).

When hiking in the Rockies always be aware of bears. Carry bear bells and pepper spray. Watch for bear signs such as scat. Black bear scat has berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear scat has bear bells and smells of pepper.