![\"Image](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0098.JPG\"\/)
Image of a coyote from a remote camera site run by\u00a0expert in wild canid ecology Shelley Alexander. Submitted\/Shelley Alexander\nBreeding season explained\u00a0<\/p>\n
If\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0noticed an uptick in coyote sightings around town, you\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0imagining things\u2014it\u2019s\u00a0currently breeding season for coyotes across southern Alberta.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coyotes typically reunite with their mates in late December and early January, with females entering a short estrus window in February before having pups in May.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This leads to a common misconception that coyotes are more aggressive during this time of year; however, the truth is, coyotes feel protective of their partners during breeding season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With coyotes being a prominent fixture among the diverse wildlife within the Foothills,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0important to understand how\u00a0coyote\u00a0behaviour\u00a0changes during this time of year\u2014not only to\u00a0maintain\u00a0personal safety, but also the safety of the canines themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Image of a coyote from a remote camera site run by\u00a0expert in wild canid ecology Shelley Alexander. Submitted\/Shelley Alexander
\nBreeding season explained\u00a0<\/p>\n
A distinguishing trait of coyote breeding is that they are monogamous and typically remain with the same partner unless one dies. Pairs will go their separate ways, reuniting in late December and early January as they prepare for the breeding season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Female coyotes enter estrus once a year, typically in February, giving around a 7\u201310-day breeding window for a pair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Canadian expert in wild canid ecology Shelley Alexander says residents often report increased sightings around this time of year, as the reunited pairs work to re-establish territory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople will be seeing a lot more of them right now, hearing a lot more of them,\u201d says Alexander. \u201cThere could be new partners getting together, and they have different vocalizations for all these different things.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reproductive pairs of coyotes will remain no more than two minutes apart until they den in mid-April\u2014before suddenly quieting down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The pairs then\u00a0remain\u00a0inconspicuous for about five weeks until giving birth in late May.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0given birth, they will\u00a0emerge\u00a0from their natal den at the end of May to\u00a0relocate\u00a0their pups, often leading to another spike in reported interactions before eventually quieting down as the coyotes re-establish themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Image of coyote pups from a remote camera site run by expert in wild canid ecology Shelley Alexander. Sibmitted\/Shelley Alexander
\nWhat you may notice\u00a0<\/p>\n
During mating season, coyote pairs will travel more widely within their typical range, checking scent marks and reinforcing boundaries, while young adults may wander to seek out a mate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The increased movement during this time makes it more likely to spot coyotes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coyotes who are looking to find a partner will often howl during this time to attract mates.<\/p>\n
They will\u00a0generally try\u00a0to avoid humans as much as possible, and conflicts typically only occur when humans disrupt their habitat during breeding season, causing them to find a new den abruptly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will often see conflict\u00a0occur\u00a0in these places that are undergoing change or gentrification,\u201d says Alexander. \u201cIn a place like Okotoks, they can end up choosing a place like under a deck because the people don’t use the backyard.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Throughout the breeding season, coyotes are trying to communicate to humans and dogs alike that they should stay away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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How residents can reduce conflict\u00a0<\/p>\n
Residents of the Foothills are advised to make sure there are no spaces under personal decks or sheds, which coyotes might move into if forced out of their dens.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1479.JPG\"\/)
Image of coyote family from a remote camera site run by expert in wild canid ecology Shelley Alexander. Submitted\/Shelley Alexander