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Resident Deer Eating Acorns

Coyote Sighting?

One of our neighbors on Pine Hill found what she thinks is a Coyote in her backyard last week (mid October, 2008) and took these pictures: 

click on an image to see full size

She wrote us in an email: "here are the photos from the Coyote in the middle of my backyard. He kept hanging around going back and forth between Jan’s yard and mine. Not sure what he was searching for, but he was curious about my small pond. Maybe he was thirsty, but never saw him take a drink."

According to the Michigan DNR Website: "In urban areas, coyotes are attracted to garbage, garden vegetables, and pet food. They will also prey on unattended small dogs and cats, if opportunities exist."

The DNR also offers the following points to help minimize possible problems with coyotes:

• Never approach or touch a coyote
• Never intentionally feed a coyote
• Eliminate all outside food sources, especially pet foods
• Put garbage out the morning of pickup day
• Clear out wood and brush piles; they are good habitat for rats and mice and may attract coyotes
• Good husbandry practices, guard animals, and coyote control measures can help to protect livestock
• Do no allow pets to roam free when coyotes are present
  • Consider keeping pets indoors or accompany them outside

Therefore a warning is in order. If any neighbors have cats or small dogs that they let wander around their yards unsupervised, it might be wise to discontinue that practice for the time being.