Season for pups make coyotes bolder than usual

It's the season for coyotes to be more aggressive than usual since they're having pups, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"We get coyote calls all the time," State Wildlife Services Director Mark Jensen said. "This is the time of year when they have pups. They're provisioning for the pups, that's why they are in the urban areas. Pets, cats, ducks, chickens, everything is at risk when the coyotes are provisioning for their pups."

That might explain why East Valley resident Dianne Soekland has noticed that coyotes have been more aggressive lately.

"I had one walk in front of my car and just stare at me," she said. "They are coming out in broad daylight."

She said the coyote was a big one.

"They've gone into a pen with a horse," she said.

But it's what the coyotes are doing at night that really concerns Soekland.

"We've been up to protect the sheep," she said of her small flock. "We have lights on to scare them away."

Jensen directs people to the Nevada Department of Agriculture site, where a fact sheet about coyotes is available.

Coyotes typically have their pups in March through May. The later pups are being weaned around now. Coyotes are clever and opportunistic predators that often eat house cats, small dogs and other domestic animals.

Between May and September, when adult coyotes are caring for their young, they can be very aggressive when their young are threatened.

According to the USDA fact sheet, easy food is what attracts coyotes to town.

Tips for discouraging coyotes from entering inhabited areas include:

• Secure garbage can lids or store garbage inside.

• Cats and small dogs should not be left out after dark unless they are in a coyote-proof enclosure

• Food should not be left out for wild mammals.

• Light areas of confinement for lifestock at night

• Keep livestock in coyote-proof enclosures at night

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests harassing or frightening coyotes whenever possible so they will learn to avoid humans.