Coyote spotted near Crystal Lake

By NIKKI YOUNK, Staff Writer
IRON MOUNTAIN — A coyote that has been lurking around the Crystal Lake area for the past month made another appearance this week.

Iron Mountain resident Jule Smeester photographed the coyote around 10 a.m. Tuesday as it hunted geese in a yard on Hemlock Street.

Smeester has seen the coyote three times in the area. He believes it is getting bolder.

“It was paying no attention to me or the people that live right across the street,” he said. “I tried getting its attention to get it to look at me for a picture, but it was too busy hunting. It’s definitely less leery than a month ago,” Smeester remarked.

The first two times he saw the coyote, it darted off.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources website provides a number of links to other websites about the habits of coyotes and other predatory animals.

For example, the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management at http://icwdm.org lists some valuable information about coyotes.

Coyotes typically feed on small mammals, especially rabbits, as well as livestock, deer, poultry, and fruits.

Predation on livestock is more common in the early spring and summer due to increased demand for food by newborn coyotes and their nursing mothers.

They are most active at night and in the early morning hours.

Monica Joseph, DNR wildlife technician at the Crystal Falls office, explains that it is common for coyotes to come into town in order to follow their food source. When people feed wildlife that the coyote preys on, such as deer, it attracts the coyote.

“Our recommendation is always not to feed wildlife, since it can lead to more problems,” said Joseph.

Coyotes, in particular, easily adapt to having people around. That likely explains why the coyote that Smeester saw is getting more daring.

Residents should exercise caution in the Crystal Lake area, as coyotes can be carriers of rabies and numerous other parasites that can be passed on to humans.

Iron Mountain Police Department officials also continue to remind residents to keep a close eye on their small pets, such as cats and dogs.

Coyotes typically are concerned with chasing their small prey and pose no attack threat to humans, so residents should not panic if they see one. Remain calm and notify the local police department to report any coyote sightings.

Nikki Younk’s e-mail address is nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.