NOBLESVILLE, Ind.–It’s perfectly normal to see a coyote, even in a place where a lot of people live, said Dept. of Natural Resources biologist Geriann Albers. She said they are more commonly seen this time of year for a couple of reasons.
“It’s just easier to see into the forest because there’s not any leaves,” said Albers, a guest on Indiana Outdoors. “So, people can see into the cover where coyotes would normally hide quietly.”
She said more coyotes are running around, around the first of the year because they are born in spring and are coming of age, and some are looking for a mate.
“In a couple of weeks around mid-January, they’re gonna start pairing up and mating. So, they’re just running all over the place trying to find an open spot and a potential mate come January.”
Albers said that coyotes are normally secretive, so when people do see them they believe it’s unusual. But, they are normally there, close to people, because that’s where their favorite foods like fruit, mice and rabbits often are. She said coyotes typically aren’t dangerous and there’s never been an attack reported in Indiana. But, Albers does advice you not to leave food laying around.