In Arizona, we are no strangers to the various species of wildlife living in the desert. As temperatures rise, expect to see more animals on the golf course. In the desert, we live among coyotes, mountain lions, snakes, and javelina. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat is one of the great joys of being on the green.
Golfers are taught all of the tricks to avoid different hazards on the course, except for the alive and breathing kind.
One sunny morning on the golf course, you’re getting ready to tee off and a javelina is a couple feet away from you. What do you do?!
Keep the following tips in mind on how to handle different animal encounters.
Coyotes: Trigger their natural fear of humans. Make loud noises, gestures or even throw a golf ball near it. If the coyote becomes aggressive, exaggerate these actions more. Do not turn away or run because the animal views it as a chance to chase.
Javelina: Do not feed these animals even though they might look friendly and harmless. They will bite you and can inflict a serious wound. Defensive behavior includes charging, teeth grinding or a barking sound.
Rattlesnakes: Put a large distance between you and the snake – at least 15 feet. If it’s coiled with its head raised, this means it is in defense mode and could strike so get even further away.
Mountain lion and bobcat: Do not approach these cats! Most big cats will try to avoid human confrontation. Look big and alive. Climb on top of your golf cart. Wave your golf club. Do not run away from the cat, because it will chase you from natural instinct.
If you see any wild animals on the links, it is important to respect their space. Always enjoy the wildlife at a distance and never feed them.
With more than 20 years of experience in the golf industry, Mike Poe is currently the General Manager at Quintero Golf Club. Located near Lake Pleasant in Peoria, Quintero Golf Club has been ranked the Best Public Golf Course by both Golf Digest and Golf Weekly Magazine. For more information, visit quinterogolf.com.
