Learning to Live with Coyotes
Many suburban and urban Michigan residents have had an encounter with a coyote. A glance out a window may result in a shock when locking eyes with a large, gray-brown canine standing in the backyard. A backyard or city park is certainly no place for a coyote, right? Coyotes can be found everywhere – forests, fields, farmlands, backyards, neighborhoods and cities. Resourceful members of the dog family, coyotes have used human development to their advantage. “Coyotes have learned how to survive in urban landscapes, even near people. They take advantage of abundant natural foods that can often be found in urban and suburban areas,” said Hannah Schauer, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife technician. “Because they are highly adaptable, coyotes have expanded their range throughout North America, and can be found in every county in Michigan.” Urban Coyote SMART The DNR offers a few reminders (in the form of the acronym “SMART”) for those who have seen a coyo...