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   Breeding season for coyotes runs from late January through March. During this time, both the males and females are more active than other times of the year. Males will range great distances looking for a mate and the females are spending more time ranging about hunting to gain weight for their upcoming gestation. This is the time of year more conflicts arise between humans and coyotes. The males will attempt to drive off any male dog they run across. Females will catch and kill cats and small dogs and will occasionally attempt to mate with domestic dogs. Their natural drive at this time of year may make them less wary of humans which can result with interaction that may not have a good end result for either side.

   A few years ago, we had a male boxer dog, Louie, that was free to roam the farm. It was not unusual for him to take off on his morning rounds and be gone for a half hour or more. One morning, I let him out to do his thing and with nose to the ground, he worked his way over the hill near the house. Shortly, I heard him crying like he was injured. I reached inside the house and grabbed my rifle planning to run out to see what was happening. I did not make it off the porch when I saw Louie running toward the house as fast as he could, crying all the way. Two coyotes were about twenty feet behind him and gaining ground. I sighted in on the closest one and fired. It folded up and dropped. The other coyote made it across the lawn and to the top of the dam before I could get him in my crosshairs. When I fired, he spun and dropped also. Both were mature males and I am sure they would have killed the dog. Even though Louie was bigger than them, coyotes are better fighters.

   Coyote pups are born in April and May. By this time, the mated pair is more concerned with food than settling territorial disputes. Most of their energy is concentrated on hunting prey to feed the pups, which will usually range from four to seven. The food brought back to the den will include mice, voles, squirrels, rabbits, and deer fawns. If opportunity arises, they will also take cats and smaller dogs. The pair will work together to feed the pups, and they will range as far as necessary to find the food to feed their babies. They will catch and kill about anything they can find to take back to their den. Depending on the proximity of their den to domesticated animals, conflicts with humans can arise at this time of year also. Sheep, goats, calves, and foals can fall prey to the hunters as they feed their growing families.

   I am sure, in the great scheme of things, there is a place in nature for coyotes. I am not sure what that place might be and am willing to take a chance of causing an imbalance of nature by ridding the world of every coyote I can. I can leave wildlife alone that leaves me alone. I tolerate skunks, bob cats, possums and all sorts of other animals because they don’t encroach on my space. When I must put a light on my dog at night so I can see him when he goes out to go to the bathroom, I draw the line. I do not want Billie attacked, or worse yet, to breed a coyote.

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