The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has issued a statewide notice, warning that coyote sightings typically increase this time of year during the winter mating season.
Typically peaking in February and early March, coyotes roam more to search for suitable partners and to establish territory, and as such, they find themselves in rural and urban areas across the Commonwealth.
Laura Palmer, wildlife biologist for KDFWR, writes that coyote sightings increase twice a year — now, and through the month of July while raising their young.
In the canine family, coyotes are typically monogamous — forming lasting bonds in order to truly build their habitat. Timid and wary of people, coyotes will confront people and pets when they go foraging, or if they’re protecting their dens and feeding their pups.
Coyotes can be found in every U.S. state save Hawaii, as well as in all 120 Kentucky counties.
Palmer also warns coyotes, and their prey, shouldn’t be fed intentionally or unintentionally by someone or their neighbors. Outside pet food can feed feral cats, raccoons, deer or other wildlife, perhaps drawing coyotes closer to homes.
Repair holes under fences, block access to crawl spaces and fence yards and gardens. Pet owners should turn on outside lights and check the yard for unwanted animals before letting pets outdoors.
If walking a dog in a rural area, use a short, non-retractable leash, and never let a dog chase or “play” with a coyote.
Palmer noted there’s “no need to panic” if one sees a coyote, because the species is “curious by nature” and sometimes follow people or dogs “to see what they’re doing in their territories,” or to make sure they “don’t get too close to dens and pups.”