NEW HAMPSHIRE - If you live in the Southern Tier or the Seacoast region and have noticed a larger, more confident predator patrolling your property line this week, you aren't imagining things. New Hampshire Fish and Game officials and local police departments are issuing warnings about a "brazen" spike in Eastern Coyote activity that is catching residents off guard.
While coyotes are a staple of the Granite State woods, their behavior is shifting right now. Reports are flooding in from Manchester, Nashua, and Bedford of these predators appearing in broad daylight, refusing to back down from dog walkers, and even loitering near back porches.
Here is why this is happening now and what every New Hampshire homeowner needs to know to keep their family safe.
The "Brazen" Behavior: Why Now?
The sudden boldness isn't random—it is biological. January through March is coyote mating season.
During these winter months, coyotes are more active, highly territorial, and significantly less afraid of humans than usual.
- Male Aggression: Male coyotes are currently driven by hormones. They view large dogs (even your Golden Retriever or Lab) not as prey, but as competition for a mate. They may approach leashed dogs to "escort" them out of their territory.
- Daylight Hunting: While typically nocturnal, the need to find a mate and increased caloric needs push them to hunt during the day. Dawn and dusk are currently "peak danger" times for pet owners.
The "Coywolf" Factor
The "Eastern Coyote" found in New Hampshire is genetically distinct from the smaller western coyote. Often referred to locally as a "Coywolf," they carry wolf DNA that makes them larger (up to 50+ lbs), more intelligent, and incredibly adaptable to suburban life.
They are no longer just "North Country" animals. They are thriving in the patches of woods behind housing developments in Derry, Londonderry, and the Seacoast.
2026 Regulation Reminder
New Hampshire has one of the most open coyote management policies in the Northeast (no closed hunting season. Still, officials warn that backyard safety relies on behavior modification, not just removal. When one coyote is removed, a "transient" usually moves in to take its place within weeks.
3 Steps to Protect Your Home
If you spot a coyote in your yard, do not just watch it. You must re-instill their fear of humans.
- The "Haze" Method: If a coyote is staring at you, be loud. Wave your arms, yell, use an air horn, or bang pots and pans. If you run inside, you teach the coyote that it owns the yard.
- The "Leash" Rule: NH Fish and Game strictly advises keeping dogs on leashes. An invisible fence is not a barrier to a coyote. They can and will cross it to get to a small dog.
- Secure the Perimeter: A fed coyote is a dead coyote. If they associate your neighborhood with easy calories (unsecured trash, bird feeders, or compost), they will return with their pack.