Why it's good to keep a loaded revolver handy . . .

[ManyRifles]

I have never really thought of coyotes as being dangerous animals - especially not to humans. I have done a lot of camping with my dogs and often heard the warnings of dogs being called off to coyote packs and being killed in the process. So my concern has always been for the dogs - not with myself or the two-legged members of our camping parties. Plus, coyotes always seem like they are such skittish animals. They often stay at distance and you see the evidence of their presence, rather than the animals themselves.

However, one of my hunting/camping buddies sent me this article earlier today:

Coyotes kill woman on hike in Canadian park
'Very unusual and is not likely to be repeated,' wildlife biologist says

TORONTO - Two coyotes attacked a Canadian woman while she was hiking alone in a national park in eastern Canada, and authorities said she died Wednesday of her injuries.

The victim was identified as Taylor Mitchell, 19, a singer-songwriter from Toronto who was touring in support of her new album on the East Coast.

She was hiking solo on a trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia on Tuesday when the attack occurred. She was airlifted to a Halifax hospital in critical condition and died Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokeswoman Brigdit Leger said other hikers heard Mitchell's screams for help on Tuesday and called emergency police dispatchers.

Police who were in the area reached the scene quickly and shot one of the animals, apparently wounding it. But the wounded animal and a companion coyote managed to get away.

Paul Maynard of Emergency Health Services said Mitchell already was in critical condition when paramedics arrived on the scene and had multiple bite wounds over her entire body.

More.

Of course, she was alone, so we don't have any idea if there was anything done to encourage the attack - like if she tried to feed them or approached a wounded or sick animal. If she wasn't used to seeing the animals - she may have thought they were a dog or friendly fox.

In either case, it underscores the need to be properly prepared in the wilderness.