Eagan's First Coyote Seminar Draws Concerned Crowd

Eagan resident Maxine Piekarski never used to see coyotes near her home.

But in the last several years, she's had several run-ins with them, including an incident one month ago where her dog, a german shepherd, chased two of them out of her backyard.

Which is why Piekarski decided to stop by Eagan's first coyote seminar held at the city's Fire Safety Center on Thursday night. More than 50 concerned residents attended the first of two hour-long presentations given by urban wildlife expert Lynsey White Dasher.

White Dasher spoke at length about the characteristics of coyotes, which she described as intelligent, highly adaptable animals that can learn how to cross streets, avoid cars and easily navigate through urban environments. White Dasher also instructed the audience on proper coyote hazing—a strategy used to drive coyotes away from homes and other areas.

But the most telling moment of the conference came early in the night, when White Dasher asked the group to raise their hands if they had ever encountered a coyote. The vast majority of attendees did.

For Piekarski, the growth in the urban coyote population is worrisome—especially since her sister, Inver Grove Heights City Councilor Rosemary Piekarski Krech, keeps free-range chickens.

"They're moving more in," Piekarski said. "You can hear them yipping."

Coyote Habits and Hazing Tips

• Coyotes usually weigh 25-30 pounds, although they may look much larger. They live in family groups in territories that they stake and defend, or as solitary animals wandering from area to area. 

• There are three coyote seasons throughout the year. December through March is mating season for the animal, and many of them are very active and territorial at this point. May through August coyotes rear their litters and stay close to their dens. From September through December those young leave the dens and disperse to find their own territories.

• Coyotes are most active at dawn or dusk, but they may adjust their habits and become nocturnal when living near people. They'll eat anything, including small rodents and mammals, geese, fruit—and whatever food or garbage we leave lying around.

• Coyotes will prey on small dogs and cats, and may attack larger dogs if they feel the dog presents a threat. To prevent attacks on your pets, never leave them outside unattended and use short leashes when walking them. If you encounter a coyote while you're out with your pet, do not allow the coyote between you and your pet and pick up your pet (if it is a small dog or cat).

• Coyotes are quick learners, and can become habituated to humans in urban environments. If you encounter a coyote, it is best to "haze" the animal, White Dasher said. Make a connection with the animal and make sure it sees you. Move aggressively toward it while waving your arms and making plenty of noise. There is one exception to the hazing rule: If you think the animal is sick or injured, then don't approach it.

• Coyotes that have been hazed two or three times will learn to regard humans as threats, and will take care to avoid them, White Dasher said.“The beauty of hazing is that anybody can do it, you don’t have to be the crocodile hunter or a park ranger,” White Dasher said. "Essentially, what we’re doing is just teaching coyotes that hey, we are scary. We are making our territory in a way that they understand."

• If you are having persistent problems with coyotes, or find a sick or injured animal, call Eagan Animal Control at 651-675-5750.