Coyotes Spotted in New Lenox: Where Have You Seen Them?
We compiled a map of recent coyote spottings in town. Here's what you need to know about the elusive animals.
- By Ann C. Piasecki
- Email the author
- November 20, 2012
Have you heard that eerie howl or scream in the night? It's likely a coyote. It could be digging into your garbage or on the prowl for easy prey.
When New Lenox Patch Facebook readers were asked Saturday if they had recently encountered coyotes, more than 1,200 people saw the post. Thank you to the many Facebook followers who told us where they had spotted coyotes and to those who left comments or suggestions related to their experiences with coyotes.
The story includes a map of coyote sightings along with a variety of suggestions and opinions about the wild life in our midst.
- This interactive map shows where coyotes have been spotted recently.
- Click on an icon for more details about what
Since New Lenox is nestled in between large parcels of open space, the Will County Forest Preserve and natural wetlands, the coyotes are as much a part of the community as we are.
- "I am on Cooper and Ash and we have them all the time. They walk down the middle of the street at night."
- "Last night they were loud by my house on Illinois Highway just west of Spencer (Road.) We hear them in the backyard from time to time, but we were in the font room and they sounded like they were right outside the window."
- "Saw two last night running on Illinois Highway heading into the subdivision on Lake Street."
- "No problems, but they are definitely in and around Palmer Ranch (subdivision). All summer and fall they were very loud around 1 or 2 in the morning. We are on Tanaga Basin with our backyard facing east. Last New Years Day there were two prowling right behind our fence."
- "They have been here ever since we moved in 10 years ago. I woke up to see one walking down the middle of our street in our newly build subdivision at 2:30 a.m. I'm not saying where we live because I don't want someone to come looking for them to shoot them. We've had no problems."
- "Please watch your pets. Coyotes will jump fences at least five feet high maybe more…"
- "A pack will act like they are playing with dogs to try and get them to follow and then they attack. We've seen them walking the CN train tracks and especially over by Spencer School."
- "Nasty critters. We have them here and they love to attack cats, small dogs, etc. Be careful; they are aggressive."
New Lenox Police Chief Bob Sterba offers advice and tips in dealing with coyotes
New Lenox Police Chief Bob Sterba, in a previous story about coyotes, said these animals are not causing significant problems.
Here are some key tips from the village's news release:
- One of the worst things residents can do is provide food for coyotes as they should never be encouraged to interact with humans and domestic pets.
- It is highly unlikely that the coyote will attack a human. There have been sixteen coyote bites in Illinois in the last 30 years and most of these happened when people tried to feed these wild animals by hand.
- If approached by a coyote never run and never turn your back. Back away slowly toward your house, car or any type of shelter that offers protection and safety. Should a coyote walk toward you as you’re backing away, or if it growls and its hair stands up on its back, yell, scream, and wave your hands to appear larger than you are.
- If while walking your dog a coyote approaches, it more than likely wants your pet and not you. If your pet is small, pick it up immediately and follow the tactics above to scare the coyote. Air horns have been known to scare coyotes.
- Whenever you let your dog out, go outside with the dog or keep a very close eye on your family pet.
- Coyotes are in the New Lenox area because they’ve discovered food sources. Residents should keep their garbage cans sealed.
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New Lenox Police Department
701 W Haven Ave, New Lenox, IL41.511879-87.979365New Lenox Police Department
701 W Haven Ave, New Lenox, IL815-485-2500/listings/new-lenox-police-department326341/locations/482700 -
Ann C. Piasecki
Joined Patch Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Meezer 3
7:47 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I've seen them in broad daylight, in Tinley Park, near the large shopping center on Harlem. I don't fear them, but like any wild animal, I respect them and give them their distance. They are not domestic dogs and should not be treated as such. I am happy to know though that they are around because it means Nature's balance is healthy & still complete and working to help keep in check other prey animals.
Kimberly
8:08 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thank you for the reminder. Two years ago, I spotted coyotes all the time during the winter. One even trotting down the middle of the street at dawn. Because our dog is almost blind, she is always attended in our fenced in yard, but I see many neighbors who let their dogs out unattended. I haven't seen any coyotes this year, but I see they have been spotted a block away according to the above map, so its a good reminder. If they don't bother me, I won't bother them, but I have a divine right to protect my own.
Caryn
8:22 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
My little bichon was attacked this past February. I live in Aerohaven off of Boeing. My neighbors do back up against a cornfield and most of them do not have a fence. Talk with neighbors. Unfortunately my neighbor still insists on feeding the birds, which bring other critters (bunnies, skunks, opossum). Also it's a good idea to trim up any evergreens you might have. It serves as a great hidding place for coyotes.
bruce bialek
9:44 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
we hear and see them all the time once i opened up the garage door in the morning for work and i was in front of the car and a coyote walked across my driveway right behind the car. i was maybe 15' away. he just looked at me and kept walking. i think they are a beautiful animal and we have set up camp in there area. they belong just as much as we do. just keep an eye out for them or just watch your pets and you will be ok.
Amy
10:22 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
In the 25 years that I've lived here, we've always seen and heard coyotes . We live right by the trail and they will follow it, or they are by the railroad tracks running parallel to Illinois Hwy and Laraway. If they are farther away, they can sound like kids playing. I was once in my backyard at night with friends and we thought a baseball game was going on at the Lion's Den, but when we looked, no lights were on at the fields. We knew they were coyotes. The best advice is to just leave them alone and watch your pets when you let them out at night. They've never bothered me or my family. I've also come across foxes and they will run away from you 99% of the time.
Don Flynn
10:25 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
We've seen them behind our home along the CN RR tracks in back of the retention
pond along the curve on Andrea Dr. I've heard first hand reports from a manhattan resident that one came over the chain link fence and attacked their french bull dog. It got spooked before he ddi too much damage though! Also sighted on walking across Cedar Rd. between the Legion and laraway .
New Lenox Jason
10:42 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Just saw a coyote near Vine Street and the I-80 overpass. It was quite healthy looking but did not mind all of the people doing yard work and such. She seemed quite comfortable as she entered the woods in my backyard. Watch your pets! My neighbor had not one, but two cats eaten by these animals last year.
kate
12:35 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
We moved into Country Creek when I was 10, which was 20 years ago and we always saw them at night. Even with everything built so much more now we still do and we always know when a train is coming because you hear the pack howl a few minutes before hand.
Jon Voight
9:07 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
No coyotes over here, but I did see a few cougars prowling Jewel in town...
JP
10:36 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Nice!
JP
10:38 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
I spotted one at Haven and Siesta yesterday evening. (12/6) It was a good-sized animal that looked healthy. Watch your dogs.
alski
10:52 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Any local farmers willing to allow me to hunt coyotes on their land I would gladly pay them for the opportunity. I am a responsible gun owner with the appropriate license and fur bearer stamp. I would be hunting by myself so it's not like you would have a large group parading across your fields. Feel free to contact me.