I guess his other choice was not to run? The top half of the image is very well printed - nice range of tones. The bottom half shows nearly no detail in the snow, yet the animal seems well exposed. It looks like there was just too many stops in the specturm that day. I think you could crop of the left side of the image - taking out the foreground pine tree. That would put the coyote in line with a crash point and be more effective.
well...im not quite sure what choice is being represented here...maybe the choice of how close to get so as not to make the coyote run away...or maybe the coyote's decision to run away? either way it is a nice shot, although the snow is rather blinding. a good image over all though.
This is an AMAZING image, but if you don't find a way to at least TRY to tie it to the stated challenge theme I can't give you the score you deserve. Real bummer!