Coyote Breeding Season has started • WARNING •

“To prepare their own bodies for mating, you know, the process of pregnancy, labor, you know, delivery and then raising those pups, you might imagine that they're trying to secure a safe area to do that, and then also satisfy those nutritional requirements,” Miller said. “So you might see that translate to aggression and bolder behavior, and more desperation to obtain those two resources.”

Coyotes may be more emboldened during these times, venturing into areas with more human activity and even seeking shelter and possible spots for their dens right in your backyard.

“There may not be other suitable alternatives, you know, a park may be the most green space and an area of backyard may be the most green space in an area,” Miller said. “So you do see those interactions increased, the more densely populated an area is, just because the overlap is so much more. ”These behavioral changes can all spell peril for pets. A coyote’s perspective on our domesticated pals isn’t a particularly kindhearted one.

“To a coyote, a pet is either a territorial threat or an easy meal,” Pellman said.

Here's what to do if you encounter bold coyotes

Well first, be mindful of your surroundings. At first glance, you might clock a roaming coyote as a neighborhood dog off-leash. Or you might gauge their lack of interest as a one-off encounter. But that incident is unlikely to be isolated.

As Miller told us: “If there's one in the area, there's likely another one."

Then, there’s action. “Hazing” is a tactic used to ward off coyotes, but it can come in different forms, both active and passive. During an encounter, even a seemingly subtle one, you should be the bold one.

“Be aggressive in a way that is safe for you,” she said. “Shouting, trying to make yourself look big, you want to make sure that you appear as an adversary, that the animal weighs the risk of taking [you] on and decides not to…Make yourself look big, get on a rock, open your jacket, things of that nature.”

Take these steps to prevent those encounters

Prevention is also key. Making your home unappealing to the ol’ canis latrans can be crucial.

“Pick up any fallen fruit, make sure that they're not able to get into your trash. And bring your pets inside at night. Keep an eye on your pets,” Pellman said. “You might even want to clear away bushes and brush that can form, kind of cover for rodents, rats, mice, squirrels, those all attract coyotes.”

And reporting sightings can give your local agencies a better idea of species activity to inform possible intervention, if necessary.

“Your first stop is your city,” Pellman said. “If you live in an incorporated city, inform the city. If you don't live within an incorporated city, then your county government is your next stop.”

And if your encounter turns into a dangerous one, “that’s 911 time,” per Pellman.

Article Credit:

LAist, Sm Benson Smith