By Barbara Augsdorfer, editor for the Effingham Herald

A Facebook post on Feb. 4 reported multiple coyote sitings in Rincon and other areas of Effingham County.

The Herald reached out to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for advice on how to coexist with the coyotes – especially for residents with pets.

“Just seeing a coyote is not necessarily a bad thing,” said a spokesperson for the Georgia DNR. “And, with the prevalence of phones and doorbell cameras, etc., we often see more wildlife, including coyotes, these days. So, while that may seem like an increase, it often is not.”

According to the DNR, coyotes may have naturally migrated to Georgia over time. They may have been introduced to Georgia by fox hunters. But since coyotes are highly adaptable, they can be found in urban and suburban areas in addition to the wild. Coyotes are found in every county in Georgia, and “are great at rodent control,” the DNR spokesperson said.

If you feel coyotes are a danger to your family and pets, coyotes may be trapped and relocated off your property by a nuisance wildlife control operator. A list is available on the Georgia DNR website or by clicking: bit.ly/40LjNrv.

The DNR spokesperson offered these tips to protect pets and to discourage coyotes from entering your property:

·       Feed pets indoors. If you must feed pets outdoors, remove the food dish when the pet is done eating.

·       Remove excess bird seed from the ground beneath bird feeders. Spilled seed attracts rodents, which attracts coyotes.

·       Put household trash in trash bags and keep garbage cans covered.

·       Coyotes are naturally wary of people. Use an airhorn or another noisemaker (or just yell) to scare them away.

·       Watch your pets when they are outside – even in a fenced yard.

·       Be aware when walking your pets at dawn or dusk.

·       Keep farm animals secured inside a barn or other enclosure – especially at night.