Coyote sightings are on the rise in DuPage County as the animals enter their late-winter mating season, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County reminds residents. Seeing a coyote this time of year is normal as they search for mates and monitor their territories.

“Spotting a coyote isn’t a cause for alarm,” said Forest Preserve District ecologist Dan Thompson. “Consider yourself lucky and enjoy the rare opportunity to observe one from a safe distance. Whether we see them or not, coyotes are always around, and the more we understand they’re just trying to live their lives, the easier it is to coexist safely.”

Coyotes play a key role in maintaining ecological balance by keeping rodent and small animal populations in check. In winter, they become more visible as they forage for food in open areas with less vegetation and snow-covered landscapes.

Thompson acknowledges that coyotes may appear intimidating due to their size and can be more assertive during mating season. “They see other canines, including dogs, as competition,” he said. “Male coyotes may also be drawn to female dogs in heat.”

• Keep dogs leashed, even in fenced yards, and never leave pets unattended.
• Keep cats indoors.
• If you notice a coyote in the same place repeatedly, alter your routine — they’re creatures of habit.
• If you have a small dog, pick it up when encountering a coyote.
• If a coyote comes too close, don’t run. Instead, stand tall, make eye contact, and create loud noise to scare it away.

In DuPage, coyote breeding peaks in late February or early March. Pups are born in April and raised in dens — often abandoned fox or woodchuck burrows — until late June.

“Coyote encounters can happen any time of year, but they tend to increase during fall dispersal and again now, during breeding and pup-rearing season,” Thompson said. “Most encounters are uneventful, but pet owners should always keep dogs leashed and supervised.”