Longtime Whistlerite Grant Lamont was out for a routine bike ride on Aug. 25 around 9 a.m. when he and his dog Beans realized they weren't alone.
Lamont had gotten partway down the Danimal North trail when he heard Beans growl. Gazing up the slope to his left flank, he sighted a pair of coyotes rushing towards them.
Beans, a five-year-old Catahoula leopard dog, is accustomed to running alongside her owner during bike rides and does not veer off the beaten path. Lamont ordered her to stay with him as they kept going, but the coyotes pursued them to a terrain feature near the bottom of Danimal. One of the canines began to menace Beans, prompting Lamont to dismount and look for an improvised weapon in self-defence as he kept his bike between himself and the animals.
Hefting a sizable rock with both hands, Lamont threw it at the hostile coyote from a distance of approximately three metres. He struck the animal in the head, causing both aggressors to retreat. Lamont then used his knowledge of the area to quickly find an exit—realizing Beans could outrun the coyotes, he decided to make for his parked car at best possible speed.
The coyotes did not abandon chase entirely, however, and Lamont says they were watching as he reached his vehicle.
Both man and dog got out of the situation unscathed, with Lamont reporting the incident to the BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) minutes after it happened.
On Aug. 27, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) issued a coyote alert for the Hot Dog Alley and Whip Me Snip Me trails, but Lamont feels the canines may be based further up Danimal.
"They seemed to be protecting something," said the 64-year-old. "With all the forest devastation they're doing over there, with all the tree-thinning and everything like that … I think the coyotes' den is probably higher up [than Hot Dog Alley]. Maybe they've had to move their den a couple of times.
"Initially, I was all amped up after it happened. I think those coyotes thought Beans was a smaller dog until [they got up close]. I don't think I'd ridden that fast for about 10 years … and my dog actually beat me to the car."
'Always be alert'
Lamont has resided in Whistler since 1987 and served as a municipal councillor during the 2010 Olympics. He was among the original Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) board members, is employed by Destination BC at present and also co-founded the Whistler Bike Guide company.
The longtime local has encountered his share of wildlife over the years: cougars in the vicinity of the Micro Climate trail and Wedge, grizzly bears in the Chilcotin Ranges and wolves in the Colorado Desert. He believes the key to coexisting with animals is to give them space and to inform others (particularly Conservation Officers) about their presence in a timely fashion.
"Always be alert. I don't ride with headphones or anything like that," Lamont said. "I'm fairly in tune with nature, and I could almost feel [the coyotes'] presence before I saw them. There's nature everywhere and you're always going to have encounters. It's really important to keep in a group, to be cognizant of your surroundings and have an exit path. I don't think [my dog] is overly brave, but in this case she was just doing her part as my riding partner."
Lamont emphasized that Beans is well-behaved outdoors. She is trained not to chase animals, but will merely sit down and bark when she notices their presence. Some of Lamont's guiding clients from Mexico, England, South America and the United States tend to request his dog on trips to assuage their anxiety about wildlife.
The COS and Resort Municipality of Whistler note at this time of year, coyotes may become more defensive towards people or pets while protecting dens or pups.
"The coyotes have reportedly shown 'escorting' behaviour, following people and dogs at a distance to guide them away from their territory, food source, or pups," the RMOW said in its Aug. 27 alert.
"To protect yourself, your pets, and the coyotes, please consider avoiding these trails. When using any trail, keep pets leashed, as dogs can trigger defensive behaviour from wildlife."
Officials offer some safety tips for coyote encounters:
- Stay calm and do not run.
- Keep your dog on a short leash at your side. Pick up small children or dogs.
- Calmly back away while maintaining eye contact. The coyote will stop following once you are out of its territory.
- If the coyote comes too close or acts defensively (like growling or lunging), shout and wave your arms. Then, back away slowly while making loud noises.
For more wildlife safety tips, visit WildSafeBC’s coyote page
