I'm not quite sure who to contact, but I am very concerned with the overwhelming growth of the coyote population in our area. I live in Cook County, near Dundee Road and Ela Road, and am sandwiched between several forest preserves. The coyote sightings in our neighborhood are unnerving. For the past 5 nights in a row now, I have been awoken by the sounds of a pack (of up to 12 coyotes!) howling and yipping as they run up and down our suburban streets. On one occasion in November, a lone coyote tried to take a nap, in broad daylight, under our tree at about 7:00am. We went into the yard to yell at it, as I've read you're supposed to scare them, and it merely watched us and walked away slowly. The coyotes in our area have no fear of humans. I am greatly concerned about the safety and well being of humans and pets alike. It's especially concerning when they are out at times like 2:00am and 6:00am when people are still out and about. I would like to know who to contact and what measures to take for this issue.

Being so close to the forest preserves means that your neighborhood will have more opportunity to come into contact with wildlife. Coyotes are common, and they help control rabbit and rodent populations. But it can be unnerving for people to see/hear coyotes, especially in their yards or neighborhoods. Unless the coyotes are causing property damage or are acting aggressively (i.e., charging people, attacking pets) there isn't anything that needs to be done. If they are causing problems, you can hire Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCO) to trap and remove the animals. Here are some tips for living near coyotes: -- Alert residents of the neighborhood and the local municipality (e.g., police, public safety officer) as soon as a problem develops with a coyote. -- Target the responsible coyote(s) when a pattern of "undesirable” behavior develops. Usually it will be easier to change human and domestic animal use of an area than to capture a coyote. -- Do not feed coyotes. -- Property owners should limit the availability of unintentional food sources such as bird food, pet food, ripe fruit, and trash. -- Comply with local ordinances that require oversight/restraint of pets. Do not leave small pets unattended when they are outside. Consider the use of fencing or kennel runs to protect small pets. -- Recognize that coyotes are a permanent fixture in Illinois’ rural, suburban and urban areas. Seeing a coyote(s) cross a field, backyard, golf course, road, etc. does not necessarily constitute a problem or a dangerous situation for humans or domestic animals. -- Recognize that coyote population reduction (removing some or all of the coyotes in an area) is usually unrealistic and always temporary. Removal of coyotes also requires time, effort and funding. -- If removal of a coyote is deemed necessary, hire a NWCO with coyote removal experience who is licensed by the IDNR. Coyote removals approved by the IDNR usually involve the use of cage (live) traps or padded foot-hold traps. -- Safety procedures for dealing with coyotes are different than those for dealing with a strange dog. If a coyote approaches you, do not run. Yell, stand up straight and wave your arms (the goal is to make yourself appear larger), or throw something at the coyote to scare it away.

I have had a coyote follow me home while walking my dog. It kept circling around behind me and snarling. I stood against a fence and it stood by my dog and myself snarling. I called thepolice but I was able to flag down a car before they got there and had them help me make noise and scare it. If it happens again what should I do if it is stalking me and yelling and facing it doesn't help.

This behavior sounds like an adult coyote protecting a nearby den site. If possible, try walking your dog on another route. If that is not an option, I'd suggest taking a walking stick along with you. A can filled with rocks can be a good noise maker. Be sure to yell and make noise as you did, and do not run. If the coyote approaches back away from it slowly. This indicates to the animal that you are not trying to threaten it, but also that you and your dog are not "prey" to be chased.