Winter Coyote Behavior: Why You See Them More Now

As the leaves fall and snow covers the ground, our phones start ringing with coyote sightings. Homeowners often worry that the local coyote population has suddenly exploded. In reality, it’s usually just a change in behavior and visibility.

1. Mating Season

Winter (January - March) is coyote mating season.

• Increased Movement: Male coyotes are roaming further distances looking for mates.
• Territoriality: Coyotes become more territorial and aggressive towards other canines (including large dogs) during this time. They are protecting their potential den sites.
• Vocalization: You may hear more howling and yipping at night as they communicate with potential mates and rivals.

2. Food Scarcity

In summer, vegetation and insects hide coyotes and provide easy food. In winter:

• Visibility: With no leaves on the brush, a coyote walking through the woods is much easier to see from your kitchen window.
• Hunger: Mice and voles are under the snow. Coyotes may be bolder in approaching homes to scavenge bird seed spillover, compost, or unsecured garbage.

Winter Safety Tips

• Leash Your Dogs: Do not let dogs roam freely in wooded areas during mating season. A coyote may view a dog as a competitor or a threat to their mate.
• Check the Yard: Turn on lights and make noise before letting pets out at night.
• Remove Food: Bird feeders attract squirrels, which attract coyotes. If you see coyotes frequently, take the feeders down for a few weeks to break the cycle.

Seeing a coyote is not necessarily a cause for alarm, but seeing a coyote that doesn’t run away is. If a coyote approaches you, haze it aggressively.