Coyote Slayer

It was late at night and I was driving my family in our Suburban along a fast-paced stretch of highway in remote southern Utah. We’d been traveling most of the day and had another half hour to go before reaching our destination.

Two coyotes darted into the road from my left. I braked, missing the first coyote but hitting the second one on the right side of my front bumper.

Thump. Bump.

I knew the coyote was dead. And even though these animals are considered pests in Utah (wildlife officials p...