Coyotes Spotted in the Daylight

WILDWOOD CREST – Sandra Cunningham was shocked when a man from her Wildwood Crest neighborhood told her that he had seen four coyotes in broad daylight crossing the street near his house on Heather Road. The coyote rout (a group of coyotes is called a rout or a band) did not seem at all disturbed by the presence of humans or cars. Cunningham’s neighbor called the police, who told him there was nothing they could do.
This was not an exceptional case. Another Wildwood Crest resident, Bonnie Sharp has also spotted coyotes in the Crest.
Sharp recounts that it was around 6:30 a.m. and out of the corner of her eye she spotted what at first appeared to be a medium sized German shepherd. “Then when I looked closer, I could see it had lighter coloring, longer legs, big ears and sharp features. It was a coyote.” She said she had heard from others that there were sightings in the meadows by the bay and Monterey.
Coyotes are members of the dog family and are known to be clever, savvy, adaptable hunters. They are omnivores, which means they will eat anything. This makes garbage cans very attractive. In fact, the name ‘coyote’ is from the Aztec meaning ‘trickster.’ Until the late 19th century they inhabited the deserts and prairies of the American west. Then the federal government decided on an extermination program for them and their wolf cousins. The government program paid a bounty for every wolf and coyote pelt. Wolves were virtually wiped out from the lower 48 states. But the wily coyote, who is a very good swimmer, found a way to cross the formidable Mississippi River. Now they are in every state of the union except Hawaii. It is one of the few larger mammals that has enlarged its range.
Deputy National Wildlife Refuge Manager Laurel Wilkerson said that the refuge located in Middle Township just off Route 47 has numerous species of birds, amphibians, small mammals like foxes, snakes and deer but no coyotes. According to Wilkerson, “My understanding is we have not observed any in five years.”
Wilkerson then referred to a copy of New Jersey Hunting and Trapping Digest, which is published by the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Commission. On the cover there showed a picture of two coyotes. There are now expanded opportunities to hunt them in the Garden State. The season begins Jan. 1 and ends March 15. The use of dogs and bait is prohibited. The ‘daily bag’ is unlimited.
Even though there have been “no observations at the refuge,” other residents of Court House have reported seeing them.
Al Jackson said he saw two right off of Johnston Lane. “There was two of ‘em, just standin’ and staring at me on the street. I stood real still. Then they turned and disappeared into the woods.”
Coyote attacks on humans are rare but close proximity to humans has lessened their fear, especially in urban areas.
People walking small dogs, especially at twilight, little children and cats are all possible targets. Outdoor cats should always be brought inside at night to protect them from predators (and the cold).
But Cape May County residents have little to fear since 90 percent of all hostile coyote/human encounters occur in Southern California, according to the USDA Wildlife Services.
Coyotes travel in bands of from three to eight members with the average size being six. People who keep chickens, goats or sheep should take care to keep their animals within enclosures. Everyone should keep tight lids on their trashcans and never feed them. This clever canine is not going anywhere so we’d better learn to live with them.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.