coyotes out during the day?

[Gonzo]

My daughter swears she seen a coyote out in the field the other day. It was during the day, and it was alone. Is this normal? My husband said it could have been a scout?

 

[alabamachick]

It's unusual to see a coyote out in the MIDDLE of the day, but not unheard of. They usually start to venture out about 3-4ish.

I dont believe they are "nocturnal" (spl?) but I believe they prefer not to be out in the middle of the day. They have no predators other than humans, so theres no reason for them to hide.
It's not like raccoons or oppossums where they say if you see one during the day they are probably rabid.

I would be VERY careful...Coyotes are bad news.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I saw them out in the middle of the day last fall/winter, don't remember exactly which month. They were in the verge of the woods/pasture right across from the house in the early afternoon for three days in a row, then they were gone. Maybe a young pair kicked out of their pack due to overcrowding and looking for their own territory to start a new pack? Unusual to actually see them, maybe, but I would not call it that rare.

 

[Gonzo]

Yeah, its very un~nerving! If we open the windows at night, we can hear them howling and barking! I know we have a big problem with them hear in the tri~state area... But I've never seen one during the day. I'm afraid the problem is getting worse here if they're out during the day. We have a 6ft privacy fence in the backyard, but I sure that would'nt be a major problem for them if they really wanted in.

 

[Peep_Show]

When I lived in CA I'd hear them at night all the time. Saw a huge huskily built one at 10:00 a.m. scoping out the geese on the pond. A quick .22 shot (misssed...darn!) and I never saw him again.

Down here in LV, there's all sorts of warnings about keeping cats and small dogs indoors as they do jump the fences and snatch them. I used to hear them at night, but then development hit and their habitat got turned into a sports complex.... Haven't heard them since.

Hunger hits anytime of the day and prey is prey.

BTW, if you see a skunk out during the day, stay away. (Well, you would anyway; right?) It is most likely rabid, too.

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Coyotes are primarily nocturnal, but are often seen during the day. Same with raccoons, skunks, opossums, etc. It's especially common to see them out in daylight in the spring. It in no way indicates that the animal is ill simply because it's out during the day.

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Quote:
This is a myth.

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
^ Yep.

Being out during the day, in and of itself, isn't cause for alarm -- if they are acting suspiciously THEN you should worry.

 

[duckduckchicken]

I saw one out the other day too. It was around 3:00. It has been raining a lot here and I think it maybe confused.

 

[dacjohns]

Where human pressure is fairly low you will see them during the day quite a bit more.

They are smart animals. A few years ago when I was mowing the neighbors field, 80 acres, the coyotes learned that the sound of the tractor meant easy hunting.