Conservative Libertarian Outpost

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – It is becoming more common to hear about coyote sightings in residential areas in Colorado, including neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, Monument, and other communities in the Pikes Peak region.  People call the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) with questions about their safety, their children’s safety, and the safety of their pets.

“Most conflicts between people and coyotes occur when coyotes are able to find food near human residences,” explained Sabrina Schnelker, a district wildlife manager with the DOW.

Coyotes have litters during April and May, delivering an average of five or six pups. During this time of year, adult coyotes need to travel farther and forage more to feed their young.  This can lead to increased aggressiveness, especially near a den site, said Schnelker, who has seen an upswing in sightings.

Food left out for other animals often gets eaten by opportunistic coyotes.  These adaptable predators have learned that in addition to rodents and other small mammals, they can hunt domestic pets in residential neighborhoods.  In either case, the result is that when coyotes lose their natural wariness of the human environment, they can become aggressive towards people.

The DOW strongly discourages feeding wild animals, including coyotes.  In fact, feeding coyotes and foxes is illegal in urban areas.

Schnelker reminds people to maintain awareness around their yard when letting pets out, or when children are playing.  When walking pets, residents should keep dogs on a short leash.  Use of longer, retractable leashes is discouraged in areas frequented by coyotes.

If dogs are left outside during the day, it is recommended a fully enclosed kennel (sides and a top) be used to exclude wild animals.  Installing motion detector lights or floodlights is encouraged in areas where pets frequently go in the low light hours.

Children should be taught that coyotes and foxes are wild animals and they should never attempt to approach them.

What to do if a coyote approaches you:

–Be as Big, Mean, and Loud as possible
-Wave your arms and throw objects at the coyote
-Shout in a deep, loud and authoritative voice
-DO NOT RUN or turn your back on the coyote
-Face the coyote and back away slowly
-If attacked, fight back with your fists and feet

The DOW encourages people in the Colorado Springs area to call (719) 227-5200 if they encounter an aggressive coyote.  If the incident occurs after business hours, contact your local law enforcement agency or the Colorado State Patrol Dispatch Center at (719) 544-2424 and they will notify a wildlife officer.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

Tags: Colorado DOW, coyote's, living with Wildlife, News, Politics

This entry was posted on April 14, 2009 at 08:18 and is filed under Editorial, Opinion, Education, Hunting Fishing and the Great Outdoors, Law, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.