Often we forget, as humans, that we didn’t always inhabit the spaces we do today. Not so long ago- five, fifty, even 100 years ago – humans were small clusters of communities, spread over a wide territory. In the western US, population rates up until the turn of this century remained relatively steady, growing slowly over time. In the last 20 years the western states have led the US in population growth, exploding across previously empty lands. Concrete, cars, men, women, and children are all showing up in greater numbers than ever before all across this beautiful land. This is great news in many ways, but also leads to many issues we didn’t have to face before, or didn’t face in such quantity.
One problem of this rapid urbanization of otherwise “wild” land is the displacement of the current animal population. From the smallest insects to the largest predators, even the most desolate landscape supports life. In Colorado we’re lucky to have a thriving ecosystem, with lakes, mountains, prairies and everything besides! This means we do have problems with bugs (so many mosquitoes!) lizards, snakes, and other small creatures whose populations tend to make quick rebounds. We are also seeing a large population rise in a local rascal: the coyote. Dog running South Boulder presents a very real possibility of encountering one.
Coyotes: An Often Misunderstood Animal
Coyotes are actually very intelligent creatures. A cousin to the domesticated dog, coyotes are closer to wolves than to the dachshund, but they can be found in much greater quantity than their relatives the wolves. They’re just as smart, if not smarter than most dogs, and are great problem-solvers. They are usually seen as solitary creatures, but they are pack animals at heart.
Often seen as unwelcome guests, coyotes have been raiding farms and homesteads since the earliest humans settled in their habitat. Coyotes will eat just about anything, from fruits and vegetables to unattended small animals – even small children are seen as prey. Farmers of old cursed coyotes for raiding vegetable stores as well as hen houses, usually attacking in the dusk and dawn hours.
These old behaviors still hold true, though fewer people around here probably have to worry about a coyote eating their winter-storage beets. You may have to worry about your outdoor cat, any unattended small dogs, and even medium-to-large dogs, all of which can be targets of interest for a hungry coyote. Most often, urban coyotes are smart, fast, and fearful of direct contact with people. They are often seen hunting small rodent prey or raiding easy targets, such as unattended food or open garbage cans.
Dog Running South Boulder: What To Do When You Encounter An Urban Coyote
There are many ways to minimize your chances of encountering a coyote on or near your property, especially if you live in a very urban setting. Simple actions such as securing your garbage cans, keeping cats indoors, and watching small children while in the yard can curb the appeal of your yard to a coyote. Also consider keeping bird feeders and other feeders well away from the ground, to minimize the number of small creatures a coyote could want to hunt. If your yard backs up to a large wooded area, you may want to consider fencing your yard.
When walking your dog, always use a leash if you are in an area with confirmed coyote sightings. Keeping your small dog on a 6 to 8-foot leash instead of a long retractable leash can help minimize the coyote’s ability to chase your dog out of your grasp. Coyotes tend to stick to less travelled areas, so keep to the posted walking paths, and avoid going off-trail. When walking at dawn or dusk, always take a bright flashlight and consider something like a bell or whistle that can make a shrill or sharp noise. Not only good for the occasional human attacker, these tools can help you scare away a coyote.
Hold the flashlight above your head and blink the light off and on repeatedly. Jingle the bells, rattle a can with rocks, blow your whistle a few short times, or make whatever noise you can by clapping, stomping, or yelling. Do not turn your back on the coyote, but do back away if you can. If you can pick up your dog (or child) and hold them, do so. Make yourself as noisy and unattractive a target as possible.
If you encounter a coyote which does not run away or leave due to the hazing, don’t try to approach it. The typical coyote breeding season is December to March, with pups being born in the springtime. If a coyote seems to be holding its ground and refusing to leave, there may be a den nearby it is defending. In that case, a call to animal control is your best bet, to report a non-violent coyote sighting with possible pups. Most often they will refer your case to Colorado Parks and Wildlife as long as the animal is not aggressive, sick, or injured in a visible way. `
Why Hazing Is Better Than Trapping
Hazing coyotes is a much more effective model than trapping, killing, or relocating coyotes. Coyotes aren’t going anywhere, and neither are humans, so co-existing is the best approach. We say, live and let live (unless circumstances dictate a necessary removal of a wild animal from the previously natural habitat). Coyotes are naturally skittish of humans, and most will follow their natural drive to run away when confronted by bright lights and loud noises. Trapping and killing coyotes tend to catch unrelated coyotes, and can have trickle-down effects on other animals. Using poison bait or traps can kill unrelated animals, and can have other deleterious effects. Again, letting wild animals remain in the wild is always the best approach, so long as we can find a way to coexist peacefully.
To best avoid problems with coyotes, follow these simple rules:
- Stay on the pathways, trails, and well-travelled dog walking routes. Avoid seldom-travelled paths.
- Walk your dog in the daytime, using a non-retractable leash.
- If walking at dawn or dusk, carry a flashlight and noisemaker to haze any coyotes.
- Secure trash, trash cans, food and treats whenever you’re out walking, camping, or picnicking. This is also good advice for bear and mountain lion territories!
- Call your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office to report any coyote sighting where the coyote does not back down, run away, or leave the area.
If you want to learn more about Urban Coyotes, check out this site, or this site! These are also great resources for those who want to learn more about coyotes in the Boulder area, and in the greater Colorado region.
Off Road Paws trains all of our dog walkers in the best tactics to use to avoid coyote encounters. Our services take us all across the countryside, from mountain trails to neighborhood sidewalks. Whatever the location, we’re ready to make sure your pup’s adventure is always a tail-wagger! Contact us today!