DELAWARE - If you live in New Castle or Sussex County and have noticed a new, uninvited guest patrolling your fence line this week, you aren't imagining things. State wildlife officials and local residents are issuing warnings about a "brazen" predator that is becoming increasingly comfortable in Delaware suburbs: The Eastern Coyote.
While coyotes are not new to the First State, their behavior right now is different. Reports are flooding social media from Wilmington to Lewes of these predators appearing in broad daylight, staring down dog walkers, and even hopping fences into secure backyards.
Here is why this is happening now and what every pet owner needs to know to keep their family safe.
The "Brazen" Behavior: Why Now?
The sudden spike in sightings isn't a coincidence—it's biology. January through March is coyote mating season.
During these winter months, coyotes are more active, more territorial, and significantly less afraid of humans.
- Male Aggression: Male coyotes are surging with hormones and will view large dogs not as prey, but as competition. They may approach leashed dogs to "escort" them out of their territory.
- Daylight Hunting: While typically nocturnal, the need to find a mate and increased caloric needs push them to hunt during the day (dawn and dusk are currently "peak danger" times).
The "Coywolf" Factor
The "Eastern Coyote" found in Delaware is genetically distinct from its western cousins. They are part wolf (often called "Coywolves"), making them larger, smarter, and more adaptable to urban environments.
They are no longer just "deep woods" animals. They are thriving in the patches of woods behind housing developments in Middletown, Bear, and Hockessin.
New Rules for 2026
The situation has become pressing enough that state regulations are shifting. As of January 2026, Delaware has expanded options for managing coyote populations on private land, acknowledging that "non-lethal" hazing isn't always working for bold animals that have lost their fear of humans.
3 Steps to Protect Your Home
If you spot a coyote in your yard, do not just watch it. You must re-instill their fear of humans.
- The "Haze" Method: If a coyote is staring at you, be loud. Wave your arms, yell, use an air horn, or throw tennis balls. If you run inside, you teach the coyote that it owns the yard.
- The "Dawn & Dusk" Rule: Avoid letting small pets out unaccompanied during twilight hours. A 6-foot fence is often not enough to stop an athletic coyote motivated by prey drive.
- Check Your Trash: A fed coyote is a dead coyote. If they associate your neighborhood with easy calories (unsecured trash, cat food bowls), they will return with their pack.
