Coyotes , gardens and bird feeders , too
more !
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PRSRT . STD . U . S . POSTAGE PAID GRESHAM , OR PERMIT NO . 32
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10 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER August 2023
Things I ’ ve Learned
By JOHN MCLAIN
Coyotes , gardens and bird feeders , too
In the 10 years I ’ ve lived in Charbonneau , it seems the frequency of coyote sightings and danger to pets has never been greater than in the past few months . Being curious , and trying to be helpful , I ’ ve done
MCLAIN some research and found some interesting facts and suggestions that might be interesting and useful to Charbonneau residents .
We can ’ t get rid of them - the unregulated predator .
I mean coyotes . According to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife website , coyotes ’ mating season is February , and 4-to 11 pups are born two months later . ODFW and other sources all report that coyotes are almost everywhere in Oregon , not just Charbonneau . From an old Oregonian news article : “ Coyotes are an unregulated predator ; the ODFW doesn ’ t count the number of coyotes or track them . Like skunks , rats and chipmunks , coyotes are not viewed as a threat to adults . The article quotes : “ In most cases , ODFW won ’ t respond to a coyote complaint , unless they “ have killed a pet in broad daylight , approached people without fear and acted aggressively by growling or barking when subjected to negative stimuli , and following children .” However , I found that the Portland Urban Coyote Project does track sightings ( see map of sightings from 2018 through 2023 ) and it is obvious that coyotes are everywhere and are not going away by any means available to the local homeowners associations ( HOAs ), the Charbonneau residents or the various governmental organizations to which we could appeal . Remove one or more coyotes and replacements will move into the vacated area . We can modify their behavior - an individual
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responsibility .
Coyotes are skillful predators , with tremendous speed , agility , strength and endurance . They will eat just about anything , including mice , rats , gophers , squirrels , mountain beavers , snakes , lizards , frogs , fish , and birds . In the summer and fall , coyotes will eat grass , fruits , and berries . Coyotes are also known to eat pet food , garbage , garden crops , livestock , poultry , and pets . I found a helpful online tutorial to learn more about coyotes at the website of Portland Urban Coyote Project , which suggests residents can and should take action to make Charbonneau a less desirable place for coyotes .
Scare them away . Online sources note that “ Many coyote territories are associated with large parks or forest preserves , which provide an abundance of cover and food . Quite often they can be found making their homes in suburbs , towns , and cities , particularly near golf courses and parks . The key to responding appropriately to a threatening encounter with a coyote is to scare it away . Coyotes are wary of humans , and you should consider shouting or scaring the animal with air horns and homemade clappers , banging pots and pans , stomping feet , waving arms , chasing from a safe distance , and throwing rocks or other objects toward the animal .
Stop feeding them . According to ODFW , by far the greatest number of conflicts between humans and coyotes are those in which the animal has become habituated to a residential area by the behavior of human beings . Fortunately , most of these situations are easily prevented or corrected by removing food sources and access to shelter .
� Remove birdfeeders . Bird seeds and suet often land on the ground around the feeder . This attracts small animals , rodents and ducks . Coyotes see this as a feeding ground .
� Harvest fruits and vegetables as they become ripe in outdoor garden areas . Coyotes are attracted and will eat ripe fruits and vegetables .
� Feed pets indoors and do not leave pet food or water bowls outside .
� Supervise pets when they are outside ; if
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Here is a map of coyote sightings in the area .
COURTESY PHOTO possible , keep them leashed .
� Secure garbage cans in an area inaccessible to wild animals . Add some bleach to remove odors that could attract coyotes .
All the materials I ’ ve found online agree that individual actions of residents in a community can be effective in reducing the number of sightings and incidents related to coyotes . Because governmental agencies define the coyote as an unregulated predator ; the experts say it is up to us as residents to take individual responsibility .
Our CCC HOA - a community voice and advocate
Coyotes roam throughout Charbonneau , crossing many different jurisdictions of 13 HOAs , a golf course , city of Wilsonville streets , ODOT property along I-5 and the private property of residents . Research indicates that none of these can individually or together eradicate coyotes in Charbonneau . So , what is the appropriate role we can expect from the CCC staff ? General Manager Jim Meierotto and Safety Coordinator Neil Kennedy have been communicating with governmental experts on wildlife issues . Together with the CCC Board , they are an effective voice and advocate for all Charbonneau residents . After a lengthy talk with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Assistant District Biologist Lindsey Sanders , the bottom line is that the coyotes are here to stay . Jim notes that Lindsey was particularly impressed with the measures that the CCC have , and continue to , take to deal with coyotes . Lindsey did reiterate that the best methods for a community of residents to deal with this
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Here is a photo of a coyote in Charbonneau .
COURTESY PHOTO : PERRY ESTERSON
long-term is appropriate hazing and eliminating the things that draw them in , like pet food , roaming unleashed and unsupervised pets and , of course , bird feeders . In the meantime , CCC staff is continuing efforts to thin the coyote population in our immediate area through our partnership with the USDA wildlife control team and several state licensed Wildlife Control Operators :
� Staff is still monitoring , calling and asking questions from authorities .
� Staff will continue to get information out to residents on how to live with coyotes while reducing their negative impact in our community .
Summary : I ’ ve learned that there is no governmental agency that can get rid of them , and that it is up to residents to take actions to discourage coyotes from seeing Charbonneau as a haven . We can harass them , just as the Goose Dogs services that have all but eliminated the large flocks of geese that damage our golf course . We can remove food sources from gardens and bird feeders . We can keep our smaller pets on a leash and monitored during evenings through the mornings . Lastly , our CCC Staff can act as our advocates with governmental agencies and services to be our community voice of inquiry and information regarding this unregulated predator , the wily coyote .
Some useful online sources :
www . oregonlive . com / portland / 2015 / 11 / coyotes _ are _ everywhere _ in _ port . html www . dfw . state . or . us / wildlife / living _ with / coyotes . asp www . portlandcoyote . com / tutorial . html www . portlandcoyote . com /
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Contact Jesse Marichalar
971-204-7774 jessem @ pamplinmedia . com