Some pairs remain together for life, or at least until one or the other dies. Others remain together to raise the litter and then go their separate ways. Others will remain together for a year or more. When an unmated female coyote is ready to mate, one or more males will be attracted to her.
Fights do occur between males over females.
Once she selects her mate the other males leave. In the general pattern, young coyotes select mates and remain with them. Many females do not mate at all during the first year. In eastern North America, coyotes mate sometime between late January and March. After mating, the pair begins to select a den site.