Coyotes In and Around Braselton: A Local Expert Explains What Residents Should Know to Stay Safe. 

A coyote involved in multiple attacks on people and pets in a Gwinnett County neighborhood has tested positive for rabies, prompting renewed concern about coyote activity across the metro Atlanta area, including nearby communities like Braselton.

According to local officials, the coyote displayed unusually aggressive behavior — a red flag that experts say should always be taken seriously. Rabies in wildlife is rare, but when it occurs, immediate medical attention is critical after any bite or scratch.

👉 Read the full news story here:
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gwinnett-county/rabid-coyote-attacks-3-people-gwinnett-county-neighborhood/3TOER7K4JVFLJEMOXZTCMY3I4Q/

To help residents better understand what’s happening locally — and how to protect their families and pets, we reached out to Tom, owner of Precision Predator Solutions, a Georgia-based wildlife and predator management company.

1.  What inspired you to start Precision Predator Solutions, and how did your background lead you into wildlife and predator management?

I was raised in a large family with several brothers and cousins where hunting is a cherished American tradition.  Appreciation for the outdoors and respect for the environment was instilled in me at a young age.  My employment in public service led me to move to Georgia in 2004 where I planned to continue my hunting passions.  While bow hunting deer for the first time in Georgia, I located my first ever killed Georgia deer within an hour and it had already been destroyed by coyotes.  That caused me to begin researching coyotes and studying their effects on the environment.  I learned that they are an invasive species not naturally found in Georgia so they have no natural enemy.  As such, they place a lot of unnecessary stress on the environment by praying on deer, ground nesting birds such as turkey and quail, and any other animals they have the opportunity to kill such as domestic animals and livestock.  As a professional sniper with advanced precision shooting training and experience, I believe it is my responsibility to use my skills to help.  The combination of my love for hunting and the outdoors, along with my professional marksmanship training and experience, has allowed me to become a talented coyote hunter.  As a result, my family decided to start Precision Predator Solutions so landowners and those experiencing coyote nuisance issues better understand the level of professionalism that we provide. 

2. With more coyote sightings and recent rabies cases in Buford area, what trends are you seeing locally in the Braselton area, and what should homeowners be paying attention to right now?

Coyotes are clever animals.  They are opportunists with very keen senses that they have used to adapt well in rural and urban environments.  They are wild dogs that could easily be equated to "professional thieves".  They are always looking to steal an easy meal, whether that be an unsuspecting pet, fenced in livestock, or the prey of another coyote.  As long as there is a water source nearby from which to drink on a daily basis and adequate shelter either in the form of an undeveloped area or abandoned building(s), they will adapt.  The Braselton area, like much of Georgia, offers plenty of patches of undeveloped landscape and wooded shelter along stream beds that offer coyotes a safe place to live with avenues of escape while also in close proximity to food sources.  In the process of adapting, coyotes have learned that they do not necessarily have to fear the mere presence of humans.  Coyotes are extremely evasive so, if you see a coyote, chances are it has seen you (or your neighbors) plenty of times before.  When they are not hunted, they learn that humans are not a threat.  As a result, they become increasingly brave and unaffected by human presence.  This leads to more aggressive attempts to steal pets and livestock because it is easier than chasing down wild animals.  When coyotes are left to become established in an area, they become territorial to that area.  Their survival dictates the need to protect their water and food sources as well as their chosen mate necessary to reproduce.  Their aggression and territorial nature increases around the mating season, which is generally the end of January and beginning of February.  At that time, they do not tolerate other animals well at all, especially k9's regardless of breed or size. 

3.  Are you familiar with areas in Braselton where there's a heavy presence of Coyotes?

Precision Predator Solutions services several properties in the Braselton area and has removed coyotes throughout the area.  Coyotes are very nomadic.  They will search for an area with adequate water and food sources and begin to settle in unless they are either hunted or moved on by a more superior coyote.  The coyotes that get the chance to settle in are the hardest to remove.  They learn fast!  Inexperienced attempts to remove them or missed shots only educates them and makes the job harder.   

4.  If a homeowner is seeing coyotes near their property, what immediate safety steps should they take, and when is it time to call in a professional?

If you "see" a coyote, you probably have a big coyote problem.  They are extremely evasive and generally nocturnal animals.  They also reproduce fast.  Waste no opportunity to remove a coyote and waste no time contacting a professional to help.  There is no "one size fits all" process of removing coyotes.  Effectively hunting coyotes is dependent upon numerous considerations.  Familiarity of the terrain, coyote behavior in the area, season, wind direction, moon phase, foliage, and coyote behavior that time of year are just a few things to consider.  It takes time, skill, and experience to rid an area of coyotes.

5.  What are the biggest misconceptions people have about coyotes and what do you wish every person knew to better protect themselves, their children and pets?  Any tips you can share would be greatly appreciated.

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is when people say they do not think the coyotes are present because they do not "hear" them howling.  Not "hearing" them does not mean they are not present.  Coyotes are more/less vocal certain times of year depending on how established they are in the area and whether they want other coyotes to know their location.  For example, coyotes are very quiet when they are rearing coyote pups.  They do not want to risk other coyotes finding and killing their pups.  However, they are more vocal when seeking a mate.  Furthermore, Georgia's climate generally dictates that homeowners keep their house closed up because either they have their heat on or they have their a/c on.  That makes hearing outside noises much harder to detect.  A pair or pack of coyotes may only sound off once a night as a method of locating other coyotes and warning them not to enter their territory.  When was the last time that you spent all night outside listening?  Just because you didn't hear them sound off doesn't mean they're not present.  In the Braselton area, it is best to always assume that there are coyotes close by.  Expect that they are not intimidated by your presence and keep your pets close with a plan to protect them should a coyote attempt to attack.  Having a relationship with a professional that keeps the coyote population as thinned out as possible is the best plan on keeping coyotes from getting comfortable in an area. 

  
6.  I feel like many people believe coyotes fear humans therefore won’t attack their dog if they’re with them.  Please address that misconception so people are better aware. 

Coyotes learn fast and they grow increasingly comfortable around humans when they are not hunted.  They learn that humans are not a threat.  Furthermore, coyotes are territorial and increasingly so when they are afforded the opportunity to get settled in an area.  This aggression is extremely prevalent during mating season which is around January and February.  Coyotes are k9's and they see other k9's as a threat to their territory.  Do not expect that your presence alone will deter a coyote.  It is not uncommon for pets to be attached while on leash or even stolen in the very near presence of their owner.    

7.  How would someone go about hiring Precision Predator Solutions - what’s the process, cost, etc?

Coyotes have proven to be very fast learners with the ability to adapt very quickly.  The decision on choosing a removal service should not be taken lightly because mistakes and inexperience only further educate a resident coyote and make removal more difficult.  Furthermore, your property, pets, and livestock are valuable assets that you should trust to only the most trained and experienced professionals.  Don't procrastinate or "hope" the coyotes just move on.  There are probably more coyotes present than you know and time only allows them to grow wiser in avoiding removal.  E-mail Precision Predator Solutions at PrecisionPredatorSolutions@gmail.com and allow us to offer our professional services.  We pride ourselves on our honesty, our reputation, and our relationship with our landowners.

HAVE YOU SEEN COYOTES IN THE COMMUNITY?  If yes, reach out to Hello Braselton and let us know where!