What Should You Do if You See a Coyote?

by Max Moreno, age 12

Coyotes live all over Wisconsin, but these dog-like animals are potentially dangerous. Knowing how to handle an encounter with a coyote can help you be safer outdoors.

Coyotes can grow up to 52 inches long and can weigh up to 42 pounds. Coyotes range in color from a dark gray to a dull yellow. They are usually mistaken for a medium-sized dog with a long drooped nose and a bushy tail. Coyotes can give birth to up to seven pups at a time and live in a hole three to four feet underground. Coyotes usually go hunting in March and May because this is when their pups are born. They usually hunt small rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, and other animals.

Coyotes are commonly seen during fall and winter. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has three main tips for encounters and avoiding coyotes. The first tip is to not feed coyotes. Furthermore, having pet food or bird feeders could attract animals that coyotes eat. The second tip is to never leave your pets outdoors unattended. Coyotes are stealthy and can easily snatch up small animals. Finally, the third tip is to make loud noises or throw things in the direction of coyotes if they are on your property or near your home.

The increasing presence of coyotes in suburban and urban areas has led to a need for education on how to handle interactions with these creatures. Managing these interactions through non-lethal measures and understanding their role in the ecosystem is important for coexistence with this adaptable and resourceful species.

[Source: CBS 58 Milwaukee; Wisconsin DNR]