In the news and the neighborhood Coyotes live in every Wisconsin county, with a statewide population estimated at 17,000-20,000. Surveys and sightings reported by DNR staff and the public indicate the coyote population is stable in most areas of the state, and increasing in the southern and western portions. They have long, thin legs, a tapered muzzle, and large, pointed ears. Their fur ranges in color from a dull yellow to gray with the throat and belly area light gray or white. An adult male coyote will measure about four feet long, including its long, black-tipped, bushy tail, and can weigh between 25 and 42 pounds.
Females are smaller in size and weight.
More frequent reports of coyote sightings in recent years can be attributed to expanding development into rural areas and to media coverage of coyote-related incidents. For instance in southeast Wisconsin, we ve had alleged cases of coyotes killing dogs in Oak Creek, Franklin and Glendale, while the pets surely died, we couldn t substantiate if the pets were killed by coyotes, by other domestic animals, feral dogs, wolf-dog hybrids, or from other causes. Although coyotes are primarily nocturnal, it's not uncommon to observe them during the day. As a survival instinct, coyotes became nocturnal when Wisconsin settlers pursued them as game. Coyotes may be reverting to pre-settlement behavior.