Coyotes prefer to be heard, not seen

The vagueness and mystery surrounding coyote sightings in Ohio ranks with gossip about bobcats, mountain lions, even Bigfoot.

For the record, bobcats are rare in Ohio but increasing in number, at least in the southeastern part of the state. There are no mountain lions to be found here, or anywhere near here, despite dogged assertions to the contrary.

Bigfoot does or doesn't exist, depending on who you talk to.

But coyotes are everywhere in the Buckeye State. They may even be in your neighborhood, you just don't know it. In fact, it's far more likely that you don't.

"They've been in most of Ohio for decades now. They're very secretive, and most active when we're not out," said John Windau, a wildlife communications specialist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. "People are generally shocked to discover that they're around."

Coyotes are not native to Ohio, but have been here since at least 1919, according to The Ohio University Extension. The medium-sized wild dogs prefer more open terrain, which is why their numbers have long been higher in the western part of the state. Increasingly, however, they're becoming common in counties in central Ohio, and even east of there.

As recently as 2012, coyote numbers were still considered relatively low in Richland and Ashland counties, but they're high just next door, in Crawford and Morrow counties, with distribution in the medium range in Knox and Marion counties. Coyote populations are considered high by the state in Delaware, Licking and Fairfield counties.

Windau said the statewide coyote population has been steady over the past five years. At no time during their time in Ohio have their numbers exploded, which would be unusual for a large predator like the coyote. But since 1990, the trend in coyote numbers has, on average, been upward.

"They will bounce up and down, depending on the weather and available food," Windau said.

Although anecdotal evidence suggests coyotes are on the increase across several counties of central Ohio, it's difficult to document what people think they may have seen. Coyotes are generally no larger than 40 pounds, although they often appear bigger because of their heavy coats. From a distance, they may resemble a German shepherd or mixed-breed domestic dog.

"Coyotes are very adaptive. They're urban as well as rural," Windau said. "There are populations pretty much everywhere, even New York City and Chicago, wherever there's food."

Over time, they become accustomed to living around people, which they will come to equate with ready sources of food.

The bird feeders for the sparrows and finches will eventually attract small mammals like raccoons during the overnight hours, which rummage for the cracked corn spread on the ground. That in turn will attract coyotes.

"They're a little more brave when they lose that fear of being trapped or hunted," Windau said.

During the winter months, coyotes may be braver still, as they enter into their breeding season and males become aggressive about defending their territory from other canines. That's why we hear their yipping and howling more often during this time of year.

While coyotes may be nothing more than an irritant to most city dwellers, the wild dogs can be a major problem for livestock operations in rural regions. Sheep, goats, calves and chickens are their most frequent targets. When it comes to food, coyotes are anything but discerning.

"Electric fencing can be used to keep coyotes out. Calving and lambing seasons should be kept short, and if they're inside at that time that's good. Guard animals can also be used, such as dogs, donkeys and llamas," Windau said.

"If you know coyotes are in your area, you should try to remove any outdoors attractant. Don't feed your pets outside, don't leave them outside, particularly during the periods of dawn and dusk."

House cats and small dogs have been known to meet their demise at the hands of a coyote. Some dogs have even been attacked while being walked by their owners, although that's rare — as is cross-breeding.

"Coy dogs are crosses between coyotes and domestic dogs," Windau said. "Coyotes generally don't tolerate other canines, but it's not unheard of for them to breed."

The state considers coyotes game animals, and has an open season on them year-round for hunters and trappers, with no bag limits. However, a hunting license is required to shoot or trap coyotes. Trapping one and then moving it to another location, however, is likely to fail, as the coyote can be expected to simply return to its territory.

No matter how big the coyote you bag appears to be, however, rest assured that it's not a wolf. Wolves were extirpated from Ohio around 1900, and the closest population is in Michigan's upper peninsula.

"They do move, I'm never going to say never, but there aren't any wolves right on the edge of our state," Windau said.

thill3@nncogannett.com

419-563-9225

Twitter: @ToddHillMNJ