Coyote Caution

What are coyotes doing right now?

October and November for coyotes is the time for the Spring pups to start out on their own.  You are likely to hear them in the dark hours making a ruckus or howling and yipping.  The pups are learning how to live on their own and the howling is their way of  keeping touch with the littermates.

It is like the little insecurity – or celebration that takes place when humans kick the kids out of the house or off to college.  What is commonly presumed to be announcing a kill is unlikely as coyotes are solitary hunters and rather secretive about the location of their meals.

The yearlings are also less expert at hunting and for that reason humans and their pets should be aware.  They are experimenting with hunting techniques and prey selection and the pups may not be as discriminating as the adults.  It is quite rare for mature adults to go near large dogs, but the young coyotes may be more curious and have the judgment of an adolescent.

Coyotes are to be expected to be in residence throughout Eastham, and particularly wooded areas.  Reasonable attack / encounter mitigation measures include keeping the dog (especially small dogs) on a leash, carrying a stick or a noise making device as a threat, and avoiding active areas especially at dawn and dusk.

Living with coyotes is a given on the Cape.  We will continue to post recent encounters.  We hope that all those encounters will be sightings only in which you can appreciate our wildlife safely.