Coyote sightings could increase over winter as the animals search for new territories

As the weather cools, leaves fall and snow starts to cover the ground, residents are more likely to spot coyotes roaming across the Chicago area.

During autumn, young coyotes begin to leave their parents in search of mates and territories to call their own, but it's not as easy as it sounds.

Young coyotes who are pushed out from their families have a difficult time finding a place to settle because most territories in the region are already occupied, said Chris Anchor, senior biologist with the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

And that makes the coyotes more vulnerable.

"They become more visible because they end up in less-than-ideal situations," Anchor said.

People may spot coyotes more frequently in the winter because the lack of vegetation leaves the animals with fewer places to hide. Coyotes also tend to roam farther away from their homes in search of food.

Though they tend to feed on small rodents, hungry coyotes may be drawn to unsecured garbage cans, pet food, open compost piles, bird feeders or fallen fruit under trees and shrubs.

Any humans who encounter a coyote should "enjoy it," Anchor said. But don't feed them.

Coyotes are rarely a threat to people, but they could target dogs they consider a danger to their young and competition for food.

"Most of the time coyotes coexist with dogs without incident, but dogs that tend to be territorial and bark vigorously at other animals can inadvertently instigate an encounter,” said ecologist Dan Thompson at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

It's important to keep dogs on a leash, Anchor said. "All dog attacks occur when they’re not on a leash."

A rise in coyote sightings in the winter doesn't mean a rise in population, but the animals are always closer than people may think. There are thousands of coyotes living in Cook County, Anchor said.

"Every place that you live in the Chicagoland area, including downtown, is within the home range of a family group of coyotes," he said. "These animals are living among us, and most of us have no idea that they are there."

Coyotes can be found living in large parks and forest preserves but can also be found in marsh — or wet and muddy — areas, like golf courses, graveyards and railroad right of ways.