Coyotes In Ohio: Where To See Them And What To Do If You Encounter One

Story and Reporting Done By: Alex Lomicka and Karen Scott

History of Coyotes in Ohio

Coyotes are now considered the apex species in Ohio aside from humans, even though they are not native to the state. According to an Ohioline Agriculture and Natural Resources Fact Sheet, published by The Ohio State University’s media, [Coyote’s] prevalence has been increasing the state’s first occurrence in 1919.

According to Jamey Emmert, a Wildlife Communications Specialist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the record of Coyotes in Portage County is unknown. According to Emmert, “We do know coyote sightings started increasing around the early 1920s. Biologists have this argument about how prevalent coyotes were historically speaking. because so many of the dynamics have changed. Back in the 1800s we had quite a lot of species that either chased coyotes out completely or kept the numbers down quite a bit.” Species such as wolves, mountain lions and black bears used to be considered the apex species. According to Emmert, “those apex predators kept the coyote population from thriving. Now that coyotes are the biggest predators besides humans in Ohio they are able to thrive much more comfortably. The habitat is here for them. They’re very adaptable animals and as we continue to develop our landscape that’s not going to hinder their populations.”

Marissa Miller, a sophomore student at Kent State University and resident of Cincinnati Ohio suburb, Batavia, recalls seeing both coyotes in areas around here and back at home. According to Miller, “One of our neighbors told us it was the coyotes living in our woods killing all the deer and turkeys. We learned that the lions roar keeps them away because it is more powerful than there howl so they started playing the recording in their backyard around 11 at night when they come out. If you see one do not run!”

What to Do vs. What Not to Do if You Encounter One 

Emmert agrees that you should not run away from coyotes. According to Emmert, “Coyotes are not aggressive animals by nature. It may encourage them to chase. It’s best to not provoke an animal especially a predator.” Another tip Emmert gave, if you are wearing a jacket, pull out the sides to appear larger. Her overall advice, Instill as much fear in the coyote as possible. Obviously not to harm the animal but to scare the daylights out of it, Emmert said.

Besides not running Emmert also said to be careful not to feed a coyote if you encounter one. According to Emmert, “Don’t try to feed it. Unfortunately, a lot of people think it’s fun and cute to get an animal eating out of your hand but its not as cute when the animal becomes habituated. That includes indirect feeding like leaving garbage out over night or pet food over night.” She reminds the public to also be cautious of grills on decks outside, as this is another trigger for the predator.

Feeding them could lead to habituating the animal which Emmert cautions this is something you want to avoid. According to Emmert, “Usually what happens when coyotes become too fearless of humans is when they become habituated. They’re losing that innate fear that all wildlife should have of humans.”

According to The Humane Society, who has more tips on what to do if approached by a coyote, agrees that you should do your best to reinstill fear into the animal.

How They Are Adapting In Our Area

Dan Ross, a retired Kent State University professor, and current Urban Conservationist for the USDA NRDS, The Natural Resources Conservation Service, said that coyotes have been surviving so well in the area because they are highly adaptable creatures. “They’re actually surviving very well in the urban areas. I live in Stow and I see them around here.”

Below is more information from the interviews with Dan Ross and Jamey Emmert about coyote’s presence in Ohio.

Lisa Peruzzi, a Hudson, Ohio resident, said she hears them often at night, but mostly has sightings in the daytime. “They are pretty brazen and not scared to come near houses. We had a couple on an afternoon around 3 pm sniffing around our porch, my neighbor two doors down has had them close to their house also. Makes me a little nervous that they are out during the day because I thought they were nocturnal.”

As far as the city of Hudson, Peruzzi said little is being done about the problem. As of right now, I’ll leave things be, but if I feel my dog or the other dogs on my street are in significant risk I will begin the process with the city, and then the news media if necessary.”

Ross said there has been quite a lot of research done as far as coyote’s whereabouts in the area.

“They adapt very well to woodland and oak fields,” Ross said. They way they get around here is they usually follow the abandoned railroad tracks…they’re fairly prolific in the area and they adapt very well in the area. They’re very smart.”