My coyote attack a few years ago.

[Pydpiper]

I put on my best camo, (was my best camo) and headed into the woods where I have been seeing a lot of tracks.. I backed up against a tree and pulled some brush against me, it would have been a useless position if I had my crossbow, but since I left it at home I figured it was a good spot.
I have been reading all the sites you guys sent to me, it seems pretty rare that these guys get animals closer than a hundred yards or so, so I felt pretty safe.. I hunched down and let the howler go for a bit, still think it sounds like a drunk duck but the coyotes seem to think it sounded pretty darn good. I seen the first one come up over the river bank, and my heart went crazy.. it was the closest I have been to one of these things since I decided to hunt them, probably 75 yards or so right in front of me, then gone again.
I was far from stealthy when I stuck the howler in my pocket and popped the squeaker in my mouth, I was concentrating more on what sound I was making than what was happening around me, that's when I seen the nasty looking thing about 10 yards in front of me, head cocked to one side and taking slow steps towards me, he was alone I think. All I could think about is how easy of a shot it would have been if I actually had something to shoot it with, and by the time that thought went through my head it was 5 or 6 feet in front of me, I was sure it was looking me straight in the eye. My excitement turned to concern when I realized it wasn't stopping, just walking right to me.. I of course was still tooting away on my squeaker, almost laughing into it in nervousness. By now I knew it was coming for that sound regardless of what I did, so I decided I would grab it by the scruff if it came closer, and closer it came, lunged at the squeaker that was still making noise as I tried to breath through it.
It was in the air when I grabbed it, Damn thing pounced like a cat, I missed his scruff with both hands, one hand had his cheek and the other the top of it's head by the ear.. He was pretty pissed, and I could smell his rotten breath and all I remember thinking is how white the teeth were for an ugly animal. It was mere seconds and I had it pinned down under my knee while holding its head to the ground. I had it in a position where it couldn't do any damage to me and I looked around to see if he had any friends nearby, all I could think is why I hadn't read anything like this, and what else could possibly happen. I mumbled something through my teeth about not being a mouse with lots of colorful words included. I took my hand off it's cheek to grab my knife and that's when he turned and got my leg, just above my ankle. It happened pretty quick, didn't feel a thing. About 10 seconds later, neither did he. I learned a few things today, that is for sure.

So, my buyers remorse for buying the cheapest yote call Bass Pro had to offer is now gone, I am a firm believer now.

I have the picture of my leg, it isn't pretty though.

[vixenmaster]

Better you than me laying of hands on a nasty Yote, i had rather shoot or club them them.

[wheelie]

Wow, thats freaky.

[bcmuledeer]

Holy Sh*€!!!!!!!!

Talk about bringing a knife to a gun fight!

DaGriz; we have a winner! (maybe a little bigger knife)

[roly]

I don't think I'd use that squeaker unless
I had a bigger weapon

[awshucks]

Told you folks it was a beaut! Thanks, Pyp, loved it again, lol.

[one shot scott]

One heck of a story man!

[j.krug]

WOW!! Talk about a close encounter with nature!!
Glad it turned out better for you than the coyote!

[Pydpiper]

I have learned a thing or two since then, like to never keep a knife in your pocket.. I always have a fixed blade on me in the woods now, or at the minimum an assisted opener with easy access.
I have gone through hundreds of coyotes since then and I have never seen one act that way again. Looking back I think that if I did have a gun or bow that coyote would never have got that close, and I also believe that it had no idea that I was a threat. The way I had myself brushed in would have made it impossible to handle a firearm, nor from his position to make me out as anything but the origin of the squeak.
I can't help but wonder what he would have done if I had just let go instead of pin him down, would he have ran or fought. I know he was surprised when the mouse he was hunting turned out to be a lot bigger than him.
As some know, I do wildlife control for a living and have for many, many years. Since this coyote encounter I have integrated predator control into my company. Often when setting up on a farm a farmer will ask me "what the heck made you get in to this line of work?" I give them a shorter version of the story.

[MADMAX2]

Cool story I had a coyote come in my first year I turkey hunted he came in behind the tree I was sitting by the time I looked around to see what it was his tail was in my face
By the time I swung the gun up and around he was gone!!

[awshucks]

Hey Pyp! Gotta ask, did they shave just that leg when they stitched ya or do both? Guy could test a lot of blade sharpening jobs w/ gams like those!

[one shot scott]

I hope your shots were up to date, 'cause his likely were not

[strum]

I hope your shots were up to date, 'cause his likely were not

Just what I was thinkin
Also i decided not to jump on you

[Pydpiper]

I hope your shots were up to date, 'cause his likely were not

Current shots are a "must have" in my occupation.

[dwilley]

Hell of a story Pyd, bet you're glad it wasn't a bear!!
cheers
David