Coyote sighting at Marshall Mill House!

TLC's preserves are currently undergoing managed deer hunting.  This is a fun time for coyotes as there can be left over deer parts scattered around from successful hunts.  Our hunters captured a coyote this time last year on a game camera and as you can see below our canine friends are sticking around.  This clear photo was taken on November 29th 2014 and shows a coyote hot on the trail of a deer no doubt.

Eastern Coyotes are a popular topic of discussion and they typically get a fairly unforgiving light shone upon them.  Eastern coyotes typically weigh 30 to 50 pounds and they are 48 to 60 inches long.  Territories of coyotes range from 5 to 25 square miles and the territories are shared by a mated pair and their offspring.   Coyotes breeding season is January to March and they are quite vocal during this time.

Coyotes are a natural and important part of our ecosystem (the rumors that they were introduced by the game commission or insurance companies are false) and it is worth learning more about them and their habits.  Coyotes have a wide ranging diet and are advantageous eaters.  Open trash containers are easy pickings for food sources, as are small pets.  It is important to lock up your pets in the evening.   Coyotes have been in Chester County for a number of years, and potentially have been in the Stateline Woods area for quite some time.

As a species, coyotes have been very adaptable in increasingly urban settings but with proper precautions, we can coexist with this predator quite nicely.   We want to make sure you are armed with information, but also know that coyotes are not cause for alarm.  Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions regarding coyotes at Stateline Woods Preserve at 610-347-0347 ext. 106 or landmanager@tlcforscc.org

Thank you to Dan Mummert, Wildlife Biologist from the PA State Game Commission for the wonderful information!