Whether you live in a city, suburb, or small town wildlife is living nearby. Fortunately, learning about wildlife and taking a few simple steps can help prevent common problems.

All creatures need food, water, and shelter. Homeowners may be unaware they are providing these to less desirable wildlife. For example, coyotes may drink from a bird bath or hunt mice that are attracted to seed under bird feeders. An unsecured crawl space can also be an attractive nesting ground for rodents. By making small changes on your property, you can reduce human and pet conflicts with wildlife.

Coyote mating season, which sees more aggressive male behavior, ended in March. We are now in den preparation season which may result in more daytime sightings. We often see this increased daytime activity through June as they look for food sources for their recently weaned pups.

Coyotes exist throughout Illinois—in rural to urban areas. So if you see a coyote resting in or crossing a backyard, park ,or field—that is normal behavior. As long as they are given space, coyotes do not typically pose a threat to people; however, they may pose a threat to pets.

• Do not feed coyotes. Property owners should limit unintentional food sources, such as bird food, pet food, ripe fruit, or trash.
• Do not leave small pets unattended outside, especially at night. 
• Do not run if a coyote approaches you. Yell, stand up straight, and wave your arms (make yourself appear larger), or throw something at the coyote to make it move away.
• Teach your kids to throw their arms up in the air and yell “like a monster” to scare a coyote away. A whistle or airhorn can also be effective. 
• Follow our ordinances that require oversight/restraint of pets and make sure leashes/harnesses are secure. Coyotes will vigorously defend their territory.
• Avoid walking pets in or near natural areas and parks after dark. Simply walking your pet in a more residential area keeps everyone safe.

While it is easier to alter human behavior than a coyote’s, there are times that removal is necessary. In these cases it is important to target the responsible coyote(s) when a pattern of “undesirable” behavior develops. Coyote population reduction is only temporary as they are a natural part of our local ecology and another coyote will move in.