Coyote Mating Season In MA Likely To Increase Conflicts

MASSACHUSETTS - Coyote encounters can always be concerning. No one wants to see their pet in harm's way, and now with mating season in full force Massachusetts residents need to know what to do in case of an encounter.

Coyote mating season brings an increase in visibility of coyotes and potentially more aggression from them, especially toward pets.

"Coyotes might look at unsupervised outdoor cats and small dogs as potential food sources during normal times of the year," said Meghan Crawford, a community engagement biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. "But during their mating season they may view even medium- and large-sized dogs as potential threats to their territory."

Seeing a coyote is not necessarily cause for concern. They spend a lot of time around people and can become habituated. Coyotes exhibiting such bold behavior may:

• Not run off when harassed or chased.
• Approach a pet on a leash.
• Approach and follow a person.

Steps people can take to prevent this include removing food sources, protecting pets, hazing coyotes and eliminating shelter.

"We recommend people haze that coyote," Crawford said. "Walk toward that animal, wave your hands above your head, throw objects in its direction like sticks, rocks, tennis balls or anything else around."

If the worst-case scenario strikes and a pet is bitten, Crawford recommends giving Mass Wildlife or an animal control officer a call for advice. A trip to the veterinarian always works, too.

Coyote populations in Massachusetts are spread out and wide-ranging. They can be just as populous in big cities like Boston as they are in rural areas such as Amherst.

The mating season will last through March, and there are an estimated 12,000 coyotes living in the state.

"If there's a lot of people in one place and they aren't being responsible about securing their trash and not providing food sources to wildlife, then more wildlife can live there," Crawford said. "And so more coyotes can live in that place."

Violent coyote-human encounters are extremely rare, but any resident concerned about a coyote's behavior should contact MassWildlife.