'Yotes...aggressiveness?

[Captain*Kirk]

We don't have a large population of coyotes in NE IL, but they are here, nonetheless. The other day I heard two guys discussing jogging in a forest preserve; one mentioned that he had seen a coyote while jogging that had growled, bared it's teeth and acted aggressively toward him, and was wondering if he shouldn't jog there anymore as a result. The other guy told him that coyotes were basically afraid of humans (he used the phrase "cowards") and not to worry unless there was a large pack of them.
We have 'yotes in the PHL where I hunt, but from what I've seen, they avoid humans at all costs and don't appear at all aggressive. Wondering if any of you have had any experience with aggressive 'yotes, or if guy #1 was making up scary stories?
(I'm assuming it wasn't rabid)

[Trenton G.]

I've never had them act aggressive towards me. I've seen quite a few and they always take off the other direction. I may have had a pack follow me out once at night but I'm not positive. They were howling and it seemed getting closer, but they might not have known I was even there. I shot one this morning that took one look at me and took off running in the other direction.
I wouldn't worry about them at all, except for maybe with pets and real small kids.

[McDave]

Like Trenton, I have lived in coyote country all my life, and have never felt like one had any intention of attacking me.  I don't consider them to be cowards, and if I had one backed against a wall, I'm sure it would attack me if it saw no other option.  When my dog Lupe was a young puppy border collie, it was not unusual to see a coyote tracking her as she would accompany me at our archery club, looking for lunch, no doubt, but as long as she was with me, the coyote would keep its distance.  Now that she is close to being their size, they aren't interested in her anymore.  They become habituated to humans at places where they are protected, like Yosemite, and often approach people looking for handouts.  I would never give a handout to a coyote in a million years, but other people do, and it is rare that you hear reports of anyone getting bitten.  My first guess would be that the one that growled at your friend was sick, or else he misinterpreted what was happening.

[Roy from Pa]

There have been cases of yotes attacking people and small children. I believe New York may have been one state.

[GCook]

Happened near Dallas Texas as well last year.

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[RJonesRCRV]

Ive had some circling me once in the snow, but no aggression.

[arrow30]

id say, that coyote was guarding a meal and the guy surprised him at close range.

[Yooper-traveler]

Where I'm from In addition to coyotes, we have wolves, moose, bear and jackwagons roaming our woods.  Of all those the only ones to ever concern me are the wagons......

[Kbob]

Could it have been protecting a den? Depending on the time of year that seems like a likely cause. I know even birds get aggressive if they feel like their young are in danger.

[Wudstix]

id say, that coyote was guarding a meal and the guy surprised him at close range.

My thought as well.  Or as Kbob mentioned.

[M60gunner]

Aggressive towards humans here, no. But there are numerous cases of coyotes dragging off small dogs while the dogs owner is walking them. Brazen yes, numerous times we have had 6-8 yotes walk down our street in midday like they own the place. The first time I saw this act of no fear I thought it was a fluke, not anymore.
I watched that YouTube video of a yote going after a small kid. That was in Villa Park, IL. and since I lived there as a kid it caught my attention. It wasn't a clear video to me so I am wondering what took place away from that porch camera?
  I would also want to note, those coyotes I have seen in pictures from the Midwest and East look to be a lot bigger than the ones around here. Can anyone confirm this? Also wonder how where did they come from? There wasn't any back in the 1950's - 1960's when I was a kid.

[Phillip Fields]

Its not real common but coyotes do attack people. This study covered 1960 - 2006 and attacks have increased since then.


Coyote Attacks on Humans in the US and Canada

Publication
Human Dimensions of Wildlife
Urban Coyote Research Project Author(s)
Stanley D. Gehrt, PhD
Additional authors
Lynsey A. White

Coyotes (Canis latrans) have expanded their range across much of North America and are now established in many metropolitan areas. Their presence in urban areas has often elicited concern from the public, although the actual risk that they pose to human populations is unclear. We conducted an analysis of coyote attacks on humans in the United States and Canada, including 142 reported incidents of coyote attacks resulting in 159 victims. Most attacks were classified as predatory (37%) or investigative (22%) in nature. The number of reported attacks was nearly equal between adults and children, although child victims were more (p < .001) prevalent in predatory attacks. Future coyote attacks could be reduced or prevented through modification of human behavior and public education designed to prevent the habituation of coyotes. A standardized reporting system for coyote attack incidents would be beneficial for further investigating characteristics of coyote attack incidents.

[mahantango]

I've had a pack, don't know how many-they always sound like more than they actually are, follow me out of the woods in the dark here in PA. Kind of unnerving but not really sure dangerous. However, I always carry a pistol when bow hunting just the same.
And yes, our Eastern 'yotes are quite a bit bigger.

[the rifleman]

Animals are like humans in the respect that every once in a while you run into one that is just plain crazy enough to abandon "normal" behavior.  Not beyond belief that occasionally a coyote will deviate from the normal behavior of fleeing and become aggressive.
Ohio law permits you to carry concealed when hunting, but the morons wrote into the law that you are forbidden to shoot a wild animal with it.  Guess the geniuses in our state were so focused on legalizing high powered rifles since our population has increased exponentially since the days where you could only shoot a pumpkin ball.
Just another way to fine you if you would need to shoot a coyote with it--- course the coyote wouldn't tell...

[RodL]

This guy showed some fierce aggression when he approached me a few years back, pretty sure this one was raised by people on a nearby farm, it acted just like a friendly dog, wagging its tail as it approached and started licking my fingers and face. As a reflect on this pic, I don't think it was the greatest of ideas to let it be that close to my jugular.

[Captain*Kirk]

Aggressive towards humans here, no. But there are numerous cases of coyotes dragging off small dogs while the dogs owner is walking them. Brazen yes, numerous times we have had 6-8 yotes walk down our street in midday like they own the place. The first time I saw this act of no fear I thought it was a fluke, not anymore.
I watched that YouTube video of a yote going after a small kid. That was in Villa Park, IL. and since I lived there as a kid it caught my attention. It wasn't a clear video to me so I am wondering what took place away from that porch camera?
  I would also want to note, those coyotes I have seen in pictures from the Midwest and East look to be a lot bigger than the ones around here. Can anyone confirm this? Also wonder how where did they come from? There wasn't any back in the 1950's - 1960's when I was a kid.

I'm not far from Villa Park, M60. Like you, I grew up here and have lived here all my life except for three years. Coyotes were unheard of up until maybe 10-15 years ago. Now they are becoming quite common and there are numerous reports of cats and small dogs vanishing out of fenced back yards. There is a fire station close to my house which borders up to a protected wetlands area, when the siren goes off you can here numerous 'yotes howling to beat the band. This is a very recent occurrence. My guess is they are encroaching suburbs because their natural habitat is being slowly urbanized out of existence. Plus, they breed like rabbits...

[Sam McMichael]

Occasionally, there are stories of coyote attacks, and I think that as they move into more populated areas there will be more of these reports. I have not run across a large number of them in the woods, but they always immediately ran away. I remember as far back as the 1960's hearing of coyotes being in NYC, so they have been close around for a very long time.

[GCook]

They aren't moving into populated areas.  Population growth and suburban sprawl is taking over their habitat.  Some animals like whitetail, black bear and coyotes have adapted and are thriving around populated areas. 

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[GCook]

Just for the record I shoot every one I can. 

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[Captain*Kirk]

They aren't moving into populated areas.  Population growth and suburban sprawl is taking over their habitat. 

That's kinda what I meant...only you said it better.