Coyotes are becoming an increasing part of everyday life across the county — and that includes South Milwaukee.
Take a look at the website Milwaukee County Coyote Watch, a new public database that aims to track coyote sightings across the area and learn from that data.
Here is one report from South Milwaukee from October …
We hear coyotes on a regular basis howling across the street from our house on Oak Creek Pkwy in South Milwaukee. On this date, October 12th, I watched one walk right down the middle of the street past our house at approximately 10:15pm.
Learn more about the coyote database here and here.
And here is the county’s press release on efforts it’s taking to address urban coyotes, including trapping and tagging them in Wauwatosa and West Allis.
So, what should you do if you see a coyote? First, please record the sighting on the Coyote Watch website — do not call our Health Department.
From the tracker website …
- Do NOT feed coyotes (directly OR indirectly – pet food left outside, fallen fruit in yard, fallen bird seed, etc.)
- Reinforce the fear of humans when encountering a bold or habituated coyote (chase and yell at the coyote, use projectiles – rocks/sticks, use repellents – such as a hose if it’s a backyard encounter).
- Keep pets on LEASH!
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also has information on coexisting with urban wildlife. Bayside also has some great tips for dealing with coyotes.
South Milwaukee Blog 
Thanks for the info. I reported a howelling pack 100 yards or less from our house.
I have no problem with coyotes as they prey primarily on small rodents. They eat rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. All those have cyclic populations that fluctuate up and down with the food supply and disease. Coyotes are a nature’s way of regulating that fluctuation. We have seen coyotes walking down Sycamore and deer also. Are we tagging, trapping, and shooting the deer? No. Why bother with the coyotes. If its an issue then lets clear cut the parkway and bury the creek. Pave nature right over. No? I did not think so and a reason we moved here 32 years ago was that we were able to raise a family near nature yet in the city and that included coyotes too.We need to learn to coexist with other species than cats, dogs, and parakeets.
I totally agree with you. Good points.
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A helpful video from Dane County shows ways to co-exist with coyotes in urban settings without killing or maiming them. The video advocates “Hazing” techniques that are intended to scare, not damage this wild neighbor should we encounter them in close proximity. As Bryce has said above, coyotes are a part of a healthy ecosystem. But if they become habituated to humans – aka lose their fear of us – therein lies the potential for nuisance or threat. This video is on the Friends of Grant Park Facebook page as well.
I’d amend one comment by the mayor above, and it is made clear in the video: thrown projectiles like rocks should not aim to hit but rather land close to the coyote as a scare tactic. A rock-injured coyote can become a more problematic animal if they are unable to effectively hunt.
We have had this issue before. The problem is the coyotes may change their nature in an urban environment. I suggest having are police keep an eye out . They should observe and note when possible. The results might not be good for the coyotes. They may start traveling in hunting parties, that is when some action need to be taken.
2 coyotes walking near Blakewood elementary about a month ago. Little unnerving thinking small kids play at playground. And if a coyote is desperate I’m not sure if it would attack a small child.