Yowies, friend or foe?

Unread post by **Tish** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 10:12 am

Hi all, I thought I'd start this topic.

Some of us have had friendly encounters and others, not so nice encounters.
For anyone who has been stalked by a yowie, you'll know the feeling.
Being followed on the 45 degree angle, not seeing but knowing they're there.
Doesn't this behaviour mimic other large predators and their hunting habits?
When you think about it that way, it takes on a whole new feeling.
What are others opinions?

Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:10 am

The old stalking at 45 degrees trick. You walk, it walks. You stop, it stops. You run and it keeps pace. Rather unnerving if by one's self.

I had a doozie at Daisy Hill in QLD. It ended up turning on me and became quite aggressive the moment I started whistling (strange but true).

Up till then, it was happy with the 45 degree bizzo. I was out of there....

I hear so many stories about the 45 degree stalking and have had it done to me many times.

I remember walking through the bush for a good 10 mins or so at Kilkivan at night with a team member. I thought it strange that he wasn't answering me or contributing to conversation. It wasn't till I arrived back at base, that I realised this team member was already there - "Who the heck was I just walking with?". It wasn't walking right beside me, but at 45 to my right. I thought nothing of it as I was walking.

I think in these cases, they are just testing you out. They like to show you how good they are and they want you to run; then they can play with you.

Most Yowies are OK. They do seem to be more "playful" at night, as I think there is an awareness of just how much of an advantage they have over us in the dark and they are also semi protected by the "cloak of darkness".

They come more active in the Human habituated areas during the night simply because they know that we disappear back to our homes at that time and they can roam around without as much danger. I'm sure they are quite Diurnal in the more remote areas.

DMH

Unread post by **Darren** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 6:16 pm

Well I don't know if I've even been stalked by a Yowie or not ! Because I never seen it , I can't say for sure , that it was infact a Yowie ! I suspect it very well may have been !
Anyway , in my opinion , I don't really think they are either friend or foe . I just think they are what they are , . . . animals ! Though alittle more intelligent then most ! If they feel threatened or cornered or territorial, they'll react accordingly , and the same if they're just curious , they'll investergate .
I've had alot of critters over the years , come in very close to have alook at what I'm up to , birds , dingos , lizards , cows just to name a few ! Just last year , at a quiet little place , I was doing a bit of reseach at , there was a dingo bitch that used to follow me all around the bush . Every time I'd go out to this spot , she would show up after 10 minutes or so . She would stay about 40/50 metres away and just follow me !
Just my opinion , But I have to say again that I haven't had alot of contact , or even possable contact with Yowies , SOOooooo . . . . after all that dribble , I guess I really have no idea !

Unread post by **dawn** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 7:26 pm

My daughter and her hubby were 'escorted' for several hours, down a mountain in the Buxton/Marysville area. They never saw it, but it was like you said Dean, kept pace, always out of sight and a little off to one side. They said it sounded huge. I know Roos can make an awful lot of noise, but I doubt it would have stuck by them. I had thought maybe it was 'the cat', but I don't think you would hear one. It scared them enough that they will never go back there again! Sooks!

Unread post by **Ruby Lang** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 8:09 pm

Well said Darren.

I don't think there's any point in projecting human qualities or 'friend' or 'foe' labels on a creature (if it is a creature) there is still so little known about.

Ruby

Unread post by **Tish** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:17 am

Friend or foe was just the title I used, no labels attached.

My main point being the way some of them stalk you, it mimics a large predator on the hunt.
After reading the SAS report of the violent yowie, and the way some stalk you like a predator.
What do you think a yowies natural first instinct is towards man?

Unread post by **Darren** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 9:11 am

I think it would be the same as other animals and that is to move away , avoid contact and if posable , avoid being seen ! Ofcause there's some which are are confronting , and I think this could be for a number of reasons , territory , mating season , fear , ect . . . who knows ? I get the impression that most of the sightings are of males ! We all know that the males in the animal world ( including humans ) , are the more agressive and confronting ! There are the acceptions in some cases , ( my lovely wife ,

) , species !

Unread post by **bowhunter** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 2:02 pm

i think it would depend on the individual animal...much like with people...i heard a "true story" from a mate of mine who says him and two of his relitives were chased from the bush by a large and very p@#!ed off yowie. However, i think they may have caught him on a bad day...or perhaps came too close to his family without knowing...maybe they arent agressive at all...just defensive.