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Coyotes can be found across most landscapes in B.C., and despite their adaptable and curious nature, are often the subject of misunderstanding and fear.

Coyotes play a crucial role in ecosystems by controlling populations of rodents and other small animals and can even be pollinators!

As urban expansion continues to alter natural habitats, coyotes and humans often find themselves sharing close quarters. Coyote breeding season is an important time to learn new tips for coexistence as coyotes rear their pups and we may be (unknowingly!) encroaching on their space.

Different phases of coyote breeding season can be experienced year-round and can be summarized by the following:

• January – February: Mating
• March – September: Pup-rearing
• September – October: Dispersal

During mating and dispersal seasons, you may hear more vocalizations or see coyotes more frequently during the day, particularly during dispersal season when young coyotes are seeking their own territory and learning how to survive in their environments.

Conflicts often arise during pup-rearing season when coyotes need to protect their dens, often from unleashed dogs, that smell den sites and may run towards vulnerable pups.

Coexisting with coyotes during pup-rearing

With a few simple tips, we can coexist with coyotes during their pup-rearing phase:

• Always keep companion animals leashed while in forested areas or areas with known coyote activity
• Give coyotes lots of space and keep your distance
• Understand escorting behaviour – coyote parents will often ‘escort’ possible threats away from their den site. You may be walking on a trail, unknowingly close to a den site, and a parent coyote may watch and follow you from behind until you leave the area. At this point, they will leave and return to their den. Their body language will be alert and non-aggressive (ears up and alert, loose body posture).
• Never feed coyotes or their pups. There are many animal welfare concerns with feeding wildlife, but ultimately, feeding coyotes places the animal and yourself at risk.

Coexisting with coyotes involves respecting their role in the ecosystem, understanding their behaviour and how they live in the environment, and taking practical steps to minimize conflict. By being alert and incorporating these tips through the pup-rearing season, humans and coyotes can peacefully coexist.

You might also be interested in:

• Hazing wildlife: what is humane harassment and how to use it
• Don’t feed wildlife, it can do more harm than good
• Learn more about coyotes
• What to do if you see a coyote
• I saw a coyote in the city, what should I do?