Where Have You Spotted Coyotes in Darien?
Do you think coyotes are a problem in Darien? What precautions do you take to protect your children and pets? Tell us in comments.
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Are coyotes a problem in Darien? Our Facebook friends say yes.
The Chicago area has seen a significant increase in the coyote population since the 1990s, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources estimates there are more than 30,000 coyotes in Illinois.
We asked Darien residents via Facebook where they've spotted coyotes in town. Here's what they had to say:
- Ed Musial Last Monday night in my yard.
- Anthony Giacalone Yes coyotes are a huge problem in darien, one killed my dog last may. And from talking to people in the community I know this isn't an isolated incident.
- Lynnie Ley i haven't seen a coyote, but my neighbors have...we had a fox on claremont drive last summer b4 last.
- Lia Rainaldi Rynkar I had 2 of them in my backyard about 2 weeks ago!
- Dave Sim I had 2 neighbors stop over to tell me to watch my puppies. One said there was a coyote walking right down the sidewalk towards him while he walked his dog.The coyote waited until they were within just a few yards before diverting its path. The other said they were spotted just hanging out in the back yard. I hear them howling in the Clarendon Cemetery at night every time there is a police or fire siren. Sounds like there are quite a few back there. Dozens even.
- Cathy Fischer Yep, they're around and we can hear them howling in the night during summer when the windows are open.
- Nicole Swiercz One killed my dog as well and saw it a week or so ago. I think something should be done to maintain them.
According to the Cook County Coyote Project, there hasn't been a documented case of a coyote attacking a human in Illinois since at least 1985—the beginning range of the study. On top of that, there have only been two cases of coyotes killing a human in the U.S. and Canada in modern history.
Coyotes typically come out at night. If you see a coyote during the day, that's an indication the animal may be bolder and therefore more likely to attack. If you ever find yourself in this situation, the study recommends you yell, wave your arms and try to throw something at the coyote. Never run away!
While coyotes have been known to attack pets, the Cook County Coyote Project says coyotes do not frequently attack dogs, and when they do, they tend to be smaller dogs. Cats, on the other hand, may represent more alluring targets. Don't lose too much sleep over it, though. The vast majority of a coyote's diet is made up of mice and rats.
Find more tips on living with coyotes from the University of Illinois Extension here.
Related:
Patch Asks: Do you think coyotes are a problem in Darien? What precautions do you take to protect your children and pets? When was the last time you spotted one in town?
Dean Keal
8:38 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
I walk my dog (75 lb.) in the forest preserve on Oldfield Road, and have had confrontations with a coyote pack (usually 3 together) who try for my dog. These confrontations have occurred in late afternoon. I carry a walking stick which I use to encourage them to look elsewhere. This pack shows little fear of people.
Dean
Loris Rich
10:28 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
I walk my dog, 50 lbs, every day in the Oldfield Preserve. I have not seen a coyote since the house has been removed. I am happy to read your sightings. They survived. One coyote that was in this woods would follow us and wait for us further along the trail. Never aggressive. Sometimes, it just sat off the path waiting. As we walked closer, it disappeared into the woods. Only once did it cut across the trail within a few feet of our path. Again no problem. Another walker in this woods, who has a pug, unleashed, found a coyote smelling his dog and the coyote did not touch it. This year, my dog encountered 3 coyotes off Carriage Greens Golf course, smelling one coyote nose to nose. They just looked at him while he tried to encourage them to play. The 3 walked away from him. Yes, my heart was pounding because I was fearing my dog would do something to frightened the coyotes. In my walks in the Preserve, some domestic dogs who snarl, bark or lunge, are aggressive towards my dog compared to the coyotes who just look. Just recently, my friend was walking her dog, a mastiff, when a man walking a dog with a tennis racket approached. He waved the racket and her dog attacked his dog.
Vicky Sroczynski
9:15 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Dean--several years ago while monitoring bird points in Oldfield Oaks, i had to pick up my whining 6 pound puppy to finish my route, since an adult coyote was very interested in her and followed us to two of the three monitoring spots. It wouldn't leave despite my yelling and stamping feet, just growled. I was surprised, since i am in forest preserves like Waterfall Glen, Greene Valley, Woodridge, several times a week, see coyotes frequently, who simply trot off. Take care! One big, healthy adult coyote and a few younger ones frequently seen in Darien Club subdivision, as recently as Monday morning. Big adult was appropriately scared of me when i opened our deck door and it ran off. Important to respect these wild animals and calmly take precautions with our dogs.
Mark Kiwiet
9:42 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
See these all the time around 67th and Richmond
butt head
1:03 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
midway park in willowbrook and the hinsdale south baseball fields. you can hear them howl at night. they'll run off if you yell at them
Tricia Shellstrom
3:46 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I lost my dog on Jan. 30, 2013 to a coyote in my own back yard. The coyote attacked my dog within 30 seconds of us letting our dog outside to use the bathroom. It was like it was waiting and knew our routine. Our yard is very lit with security lights and that didn't seem to matter. The coyote hid behind our deck waiting to pounce and when we scared it away it did not run, but rather walked confidently through our neighbors yard. I was not aware of the coyote problem in Darien and my main focus now is to inform others in our area that this is a huge problem and one I feel should not be overlooked. I live near 67th and Bentley.
Michael Sewall
3:49 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Hi Tricia, I'm so sorry! I just saw the article in Suburban Life and posted something short on Patch to remind people that the coyotes are out there.
CPJ
7:47 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
This evening around 7:30 as I was walking my dog. I seen one cross 75th st to Hallowell & James Funeral Home. Then as I turned around I spotted another one in the wetland area right next to the bike path.
Robert Milewski
11:01 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I saw 2 coyotes today Feb. 20, 2013. One was on the standing on the side lawn of the corner house at Ailsworth Drive and Pitcher Drive. The other coyote came out of Pitcher Drive, crossed Ailsworth and went into a wooded area by the playground there. The first coyote then followed that second one across the street to the same wooded area.This was at 12:45 in the afternoon in bright daylight.
Later, around 10:45 pm. we saw one in the street at the same place, Ailsworth and Pitcher. This one was running across the street to the houses.