Did you know....

January is the start of breeding season for our mountain coyotes, which extends into February. During this time, you may notice single animals or pairs out in the open, increased howling, and bolder daytime behaviors.

To avoid negative interactions, remember to keep your pets on a leash and under control, and attractants like garbage, bird seed and pet/livestock feed (which attracts rodents) properly secured.

Extracts from this RF / IFAS Extension brochure:

MYTH: Coyotes are invasive.

FACT: They expanded their range naturally over time due to changes in land cover (from forest to a mixture of agriculture and natural landscape) and the loss or reduction of large predators.

MYTH: They are strictly pests.

FACT: They plan in important role in nature by controlling rodent and rabbit populations, eating dead animals, and spreading seeds from the fruit they eat.

MYTH: Coyotes often attack people.

FACT: Coyote attacks on people are very rare. You are about 1.5 million times more likely to be bitten by a dog than by a coyote. There have been only two recorded deaths from coyotes in United States and Canada, compared to about 33 dog-related deaths every year in the United States alone.