The coyote, Canis latrans, has become a permanent and successful fixture in Illinois wildlife, making its presence known across the state’s diverse landscapes. The adaptable predator has expanded its range throughout North America, thriving even in densely populated areas. The animal’s successful return and spread make it a significant component of the state’s ecology, influencing the populations of smaller mammals and deer.
Estimating the Coyote Population
Determining a single, fixed number for the statewide coyote population is impossible due to the animal’s secretive nature and wide distribution. State agencies and researchers instead focus on estimating population density and tracking long-term trends. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) monitors the species using data from Hunter Harvest Surveys, which provide insight into population health and stability.
Surveys suggest the statewide population could range from 54,000 to 110,000 coyotes, indicating that the number of animals taken by hunters and trappers represents only a fraction of the total population. Researchers also use statistical models to more accurately interpret changes in harvest data over time.
Population density is another measure, especially in urban environments, where the number of coyotes per square kilometer can be tracked. In the Chicago metropolitan area, density estimates range between 0.4 and 3.5 coyotes per square kilometer. These localized studies provide a better picture of how many coyotes are living in a specific area than a general statewide count can offer.
Statewide Distribution and Urban Adaptation
Coyotes are found in all 102 counties of Illinois, occupying every type of habitat from farmlands and forests to suburban parks and highly urbanized core areas. Their ability to adapt to human-dominated environments is particularly pronounced in metropolitan regions like Chicago. In these areas, coyotes navigate fragmented habitats, using green spaces, park systems, and industrial corridors as travel and foraging routes.
Urban coyotes demonstrate behavioral and ecological differences from their rural counterparts. They typically maintain smaller territory sizes, likely due to a greater availability of food resources. Their diet in urban centers is not primarily composed of pets or garbage, as is often assumed. Analysis of scat samples showed that their main food source remains small rodents, fruit, and deer, with human-associated food items making up a very small percentage of their diet.
These urban animals also adjust their activity patterns to minimize encounters with people. They are most active during the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk, and throughout the night, when human activity is at its lowest. This nocturnal behavior allows them to utilize the same spaces as humans without frequent direct contact. Urban coyotes generally have a shorter lifespan than their rural counterparts, with vehicle collisions being a major cause of mortality.
Regulatory Oversight and Management
In Illinois, the coyote is classified as a furbearer, making it subject to hunting and trapping regulations overseen by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The state allows for the hunting of coyotes year-round, though restrictions apply during the firearm deer season when only licensed deer hunters may take them. The legal trapping season typically runs from mid-November through mid-February.
Outside of designated seasons, specific rules govern the removal of nuisance coyotes, particularly in urban and suburban settings. If a coyote is causing problems, such as preying on domestic animals or exhibiting aggressive behavior, a homeowner may need to obtain a nuisance animal removal permit from an IDNR district wildlife biologist. Alternatively, a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator can be hired to manage the situation.
Coyotes removed as nuisances are not relocated; they are typically humanely euthanized. This policy reflects the understanding that relocating a habituated animal often results in its death or simply transfers the problem to a new location, while balancing public safety with the goal of maintaining a healthy and stable coyote population across the state.
Minimizing Conflict with Coyotes
Coexistence with coyotes requires residents to modify their own behavior to reduce attractants and reinforce the animals’ natural fear of humans. The most effective way to prevent conflict is to eliminate potential food sources around the home.
- All garbage containers should be secured with tight-fitting lids, and any fallen fruit from trees should be cleared away.
- Pet food and water bowls should never be left outdoors.
- Bird feeding areas should be kept clean to avoid attracting the rodents that coyotes prey upon.
- Never leave small dogs or cats unattended outside, especially at night.
- Walk dogs on a short leash.
- A sturdy fence at least four feet tall can help deter entry into yards.
If a coyote approaches a person, the recommended action is hazing, which involves actively scaring the animal away. This includes standing tall, yelling, waving arms, or throwing objects toward the coyote to make noise. The goal of hazing is to maintain the coyote’s natural wariness, making the animal associate human presence with an unpleasant experience. Never run from a coyote, as this can trigger a chase response.