Coyote sightings may increase during winter mating season

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Coyote sightings across Kentucky may increase this winter and spring as the animal’s mating season takes place.

According to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, coyote winter mating season typically lasts into March, while pup rearing takes place in spring and early summer.

“People may worry when they think there are coyotes living near them, but there’s usually no cause for alarm if you see one,” said Laura Palmer, wildlife biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Like other wildlife that live in and around neighborhoods and farms, and even in urban areas, coyotes are shy and will typically avoid humans.”

Although officials say coyotes are generally timid and wary of people, they say people and pets may encounter them as they go about foraging, protecting their dens and feeding their pups.

“Don’t be afraid and don’t panic,” Palmer said. “There are many unfortunate misconceptions about coyotes, but conflicts can be easily avoided by having a basic understating of these wild animals.”

Fish and Wildlife says coyotes have been common in Kentucky for “at least the past 50 years” and that they are in every Kentucky county and every state except Hawaii.

According to officials, most coyotes do not bother people, livestock or pets and help maintain a natural balance in the ecosystem for rodent and insect control.

The public should be aware that coyotes may take advantage of food around homes, however, officials say.

“Do not feed coyotes – intentionally or unintentionally,” Palmer said. “Don’t leave your pet’s food outside and don’t feed feral cats, raccoons, deer or other wildlife. Be mindful that bird feeders may attract mice and squirrels, which could attract coyotes. Compost piles may also attract coyotes. Share this information with your neighbors – a united community approach is more effective at preventing issues in the first place.”

Experts recommend removing potential food sources, cleaning grills, removing grease traps, securing garbage and being extra vigilant with pets. Additional steps can include plugging holes under fences, blocking access to crawl spaces and adding fence around yards or gardens.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife says to never feed or approach any wild animal to take pictures or a video.

“If someone sees a coyote when out for a stroll or while walking their dog, just know that coyotes are curious by nature,” Palmer said. “Sometimes they follow people or dogs just to see what they are doing, or they may be guarding their pups that may be in an unnoticed den nearby. Alter walking routes in the future to avoid suspected den sites.”

Den sites can show up in hollow trees or logs, rock crevices, brush piles, abandoned groundhog burrows or even abandoned buildings or junk piles.

While officials say coyotes are usually more afraid of people, some tips to keep in mind if approached by a coyote include:

• Try to scare it away immediately. Don’t stand and watch it.
• Shout, whistle, clap your hands, stomp your feet and make some loud noise.
• Make yourself appear larger by waving your arms, widening your stance or wave a walking stick.
• Establish dominance. Take a step or lunge toward the coyote. Throw a rock or stick in its direction, but not directly at it.
• Pick up dogs and small children.
• Keep scaring the coyote until it is out of sight.
• Stay away from any known or potential dens. If you suspect a den is nearby, slowly back away from the area and do not haze the coyote.
• Share these solutions with neighbors so everyone can work together.
• Most coyotes do not cause conflict, but the ones that do may be removed individually by a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator, when necessary. Coyotes may also be hunted year-round, with no limit, with the appropriate hunting license and as allowed by local ordinances. Information and resources are available on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Coyotes webpage.

More information about coyotes and simple tips to avoid conflict may be found at the Urban Coyote Research Project or by calling Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Eastern) weekdays, excluding holidays.