Community Corner
CPW Issues Warning: It's Coyote Season
Coyote activity will increase during their breeding season. Here is how to keep yourself, your family, and the coyotes safe.
BOULDER, CO -- The Colorado Parks and Wildlife has issued a community warning to stay alert for increased coyote activity as the animals enter their breeding season. There has already been an increase in coyote sightings across the Denver metro area this season, and coyotes are commonly present and active in many parts of Boulder County. Wildlife officials recommend that pet owners take particular care, as small cats and dogs can be considered prey at any time of the year.
During their breeding season, coyotes are establishing and protecting their territories and may perceive any other canine - large or small - as a competition for resources. According to a press release from CPW, the organization has already received numerous calls about coyotes tailing people walking dogs.
Dog walkers and solo hikers or runners should be aware of their surroundings, keep pets on leash and haze any coyote that gets too close.
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Here are more tips from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department of Natural Resources to help you stay safe around coyotes:
- Frighten coyotes with loud noises.
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- Remove all food attractants from yards such as pet food, table scraps on compost piles, fallen fruit and bird feed.
- Keep pets in fenced areas or kennels to minimize encounters; many coyotes can scale a six foot fence.
- Attend your pets when they are in the yard, especially at night.
- Keep cats indoors.
- Keep pets on leash when walking them in open space areas.
- Coyotes are usually wary of humans and will avoid people whenever possible. If a coyote does approach you, haze it by making loud noises, yelling, throwing objects or make yourself look big.
Any aggressive coyote behavior toward people should be reported to local law enforcement or to the CPW office at 303-291-7227.
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Image: Vic Schendel via Colorado Parks and Wildlife
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