So You Spot A Coyote in Your Urban Neighborhood. What Should You Do?

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

New England wildlife biologists are frequently contacted by concerned residents who spot coyotes in urban or suburban areas. This is seldom a cause for alarm according to Wayne G. Barber, host of the Outdoor Scene

Coyote

 The Eastern Coyote is larger than the Western Coyote and mates in late February and early March and the gestation period is 63-65 days. The liter size will depend on the current food supply or the size of the pack. Nature somehow makes the adjustment.                      

Coyotes are the size of a medium-size dog, but with longer, thicker fur. Coyotes have a long, bushy, black-tipped tail that is usually carried pointing down.
A coyote is typically 4-5 feet in length, from snout to tip of tail. Their snout is long and slender, and their ears are pointed and erect. The pelts of coyotes in Massachusetts range from grayish-black to blondes, light tan, dark tan, red or even all black. Females weigh an average of 33-40 lbs and males are slightly larger (average 34-47 lbs). Coyotes can attain weights of 50-60 lbs. Because of their thick fur, weights of coyotes can easily be over-estimated.
Due to their candid-like appearance, domestic dogs, red foxes, and gray foxes are often mistaken as coyotes. At first glance, eastern coyotes can have a German Shepard-like appearance, leading to confusion about their identity. Further complicating correct identification is that red and gray foxes can have coat colorations similar to that of coyotes.

Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that live in a wide variety of environments thus there is no need to report sightings to wildlife officials unless the animal appears hurt, sick, or habituated (meaning the animal has lost its natural fear of humans). Here are a few steps to keep in mind when you encounter an urban coyote in  New England.

1. Understand that coyotes are common throughout all New England counties and are regularly seen within city limits.  Wolves are not a species found in the wild in New England.

2. If you spot a coyote on your property, make sure to remove all "attractants" to deter the coyote from returning. This includes properly securing garbage and removing outside pet food primarily before nightfall. Remember to clean up around the grill as well. Do not feed coyotes directly.

3. Coyotes prey primarily on small mammals such as rabbits and rodents. However, interactions with domestic pets do occur sometimes. Keep small dogs and cats inside (especially between sunset and sunrise) or leashed when outside. Motion-sensitive lighting tends to be helpful too at keeping wildlife away from your home.

4. Occasionally, an inquisitive coyote will stay put and watch you curiously. Make noise. Clap your hands and shout; the coyote will likely move on at this point. If it doesn't, bang pots or pan together for louder noises. A coyote that loses its fear of humans could potentially become a threat.

5. If the coyote visiting your yard does not respond to harassment techniques such as loud noises or it is presenting a conflict even after attractants are removed, contact a nuisance trapper. You can locate a trapper at GOOGLE SEARCH or by calling the DEM Division of Wildlife in your State or by clicking on their Web-Site Link on the right side of our Web-Site that you are on now.. Nuisance trappers use highly regulated techniques to target individual animals and to reduce urban wildlife conflicts. Coyote populations in rural areas can be managed through legal hunting and trapping methods. Consult the yearly "States
Hunting and Trapping Regulations" digest for more information.