[jrapdx3]

"Western coyotes are kind of wimpy."

Not around here. In Portland, Oregon, in the west hills <2 miles from downtown and the Willamette River, we are witnessing a marked increase in coyote sightings, and scary interactions with humans.

In the last few weeks we've seen coyotes 2 to 3 times a week during daylight, curiously almost always around 3 PM. Until recently it was rare to see coyotes at all. They are fond of rifling through the contents of garbage cans. We now use extra layers of "security" to prevent coyotes getting into the trash.

They are bold, fearless and evidently numerous. A couple of days ago a coyote was wandering up our driveway when my wife was nearby pulling weeds. Of course, she got out of the way. Based on its direction I was concerned it might go into the garage, dislodging it from there could be a big problem.

Fortunately that day the coyote headed elsewhere. However people have become alarmed to the extent a neighborhood meeting is scheduled next week to consider options. There's serious concern about safety of small kids in the area, and really I can understand that source of worry.

[joeclark77]

Is it legal to shoot them there? (The coyotes, not the small kids...)