Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

By Karen Pilarski Freeman Staff WAUKESHA — While recent high-profile incidents involving coyotes have taken place in Wauwatosa, encounters for residents throughout Waukesha County remain a possibility. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has taken reports of sightings in New Berlin. The Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County has handled coyote calls in Wales and Freeman readers reported hearing them near Minooka Park and off Broadway and South Porter Avenue. The reports have at least some people on edge. A recent police scanner report described a resident calling because her neighbor put out a coyote trap that injured the caller's cat instead. "If your cat or small dog goes missing it might be because of a coyote," said Mark Hess, operations director of HAWS. The DNR has observed changes in coyote behavior over the past couple of years. Wildlife biologist Dianne Robinson said the num- ber of coyotes in urban areas has increased because there are more food sources and habitats. As coyotes become more com- fortable in their environment, they feel less challenged. They are becoming more willing to get a closer look and take on more assertive characteristics. "It is like dangling candy in front of a baby," Hess said of leav- ing small animals unattended. HAWS recently received a call from Wales about a coyote pressed up against a patio door. When Hess went to the house he noticed the coyote was still there. The floor squeaked as he approached and the noise scared the coyote away. Make some noise Coyotes are quite cunning and adaptable to their environment. Residents may have heard them mimic squad sirens by howling. Their diet consists of small mammals such as rabbits, squirrels and on occasion cats and small dogs. There are a few things residents can do to deter them. "It doesn't matter if it is in a park or yard, make them uncom- fortable to be there," Robinson said. Scare tactics include making loud noises or jumping up and down. She suggested filling a jar with coins or rocks and rattling it. Residents should remove food sources such as bird feeders, as they entice coyotes to come into the yard. Rabbits, squirrels and birds are often prevalent around bird feeders. Keep cats or small dogs indoors or on a leash. "If you let it out- side, go out with it," Robinson said. Smaller animals resemble food sources to a coyote. Leashes prevent dogs from running into another dog or going into a wooded area. Keep trash in a closed container and not in a bag in the yard. While coyotes mostly want live food, they will eat whatever is available. Hess said he has seen a coyote eating a discarded McDonald's hamburger on a side street. Make the yard uninviting by using moth balls or leaving a radio on to make some noise. There is no cure-all to rid the world of coyotes. Traps don't always work as coyotes are very smart and want live food. Also, steel traps are inhumane as coyotes and unintended animals could be hurt or killed. Hess said a coyote's main desire is food and if you take that away, it will move on. By using common sense, he said, animals and humans can live in the world harmoniously. Email: kpilarski@conleynet.com One would never know by looking at Virginia that she was 93. Virginia married and raised her family in WI. Dan (son) decided that mom needed some companionship and assistance so Comfort Keepers provided household chores, groceries, meals, and getting to hairdressers. Virginia's said "talking with Sue is her favorite part of the day". The easy relationship between Virginia and Sue was evident. Sue, a Caregiver of the Year winner, has been with Comfort Keepers for 12 years. 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All orders must be picked up by Wednesday, November 25th before 7:00 p.m. We will be closed Thanksgiving Day. 246859042 Sample Our Dinner Sat., Nov. 7th & Nov. 14th 11am - 2pm The FREEMAN Brookfield & Elm Grove T H I S M O N T H NOVEMBER 2015 SECTION B LIFE Central football wins GMC title outright..........6B Inside Tips for dealing with coyotes ■ Clap hands, jump around or make loud nois- es ■ Do not run; walk away slowly without making eye contact ■ Clear yards of food sources such as trash bags with food in them ■ Keep pets on a leash and do not leave ani- mals unattended ■ Shake a container full of rocks, pennies or anything loud ■ Aggressive coyote behavior should be reported to the police or local animal control agency — Mark Hess, operations director of Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County and Dianne Robinson, wildlife biologist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Coexisting with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo Coyotes are cunning and opportunistic. Keeping food sources away from them will discourage them from hanging around a neighborhood. How to handle interactions with these wiley creatures COYOTES

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