When it comes to food, coyotes are anything but discerning. Sheep, goats, calves and chickens are their most frequent targets. 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. That's why we hear their yipping and howling more often during this time of year. "They're a little more brave when they lose that fear of being trapped or hunted," Windau said.ĭuring 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. 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. Over time, they become accustomed to living around people, which they will come to equate with ready sources of food. "There are populations pretty much everywhere, even New York City and Chicago, wherever there's food." They're urban as well as rural," Windau said. From a distance, they may resemble a German shepherd or mixed-breed domestic dog. Coyotes are generally no larger than 40 pounds, although they often appear bigger because of their heavy coats. "They will bounce up and down, depending on the weather and available food," Windau said.Īlthough 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. But since 1990, the trend in coyote numbers has, on average, been upward. At no time during their time in Ohio have their numbers exploded, which would be unusual for a large predator like the coyote. Windau said the statewide coyote population has been steady over the past five years. Coyote populations are considered high by the state in Delaware, Licking and Fairfield counties. Increasingly, however, they're becoming common in counties in central Ohio, and even east of there.Īs 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. 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. "People are generally shocked to discover that they're around."Ĭoyotes are not native to Ohio, but have been here since at least 1919, according to The Ohio University Extension. ![]() 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. "They've been in most of Ohio for decades now. In fact, it's far more likely that you don't. They may even be in your neighborhood, you just don't know it. There are no mountain lions to be found here, or anywhere near here, despite dogged assertions to the contrary.īigfoot does or doesn't exist, depending on who you talk to.īut coyotes are everywhere in the Buckeye State. The vagueness and mystery surrounding coyote sightings in Ohio ranks with gossip about bobcats, mountain lions, even Bigfoot.įor the record, bobcats are rare in Ohio but increasing in number, at least in the southeastern part of the state.
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