Recent spike in Coyote sightings in Mid-MO

Many Columbia residents have recently shared their close encounters with coyotes on social media.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says seeing a coyote in your neighborhood is not necessarily cause for alarm.

According to the MDOC, coyotes are most active during the hours of dawn and dusk but coyote attacks are rare.

Officials say coyotes are attracted to easy food and water sources.

"Sometimes at night I can see them walking around the pond and I hear them through my window," said Hayden Taylor, who lives in south Columbia. "They've never really bothered anything so im not afraid of them."

Techniques using loud noises like an air horn, a whistle, fireworks and pots and pans can help keep them away.

Officials say its a good idea to take your food and water inside and keep your yard free from trash and brush.

Also, the MDOC lists to keep pets inside at night unless accompanied and on a leash.

Wildlife Code of Missouri classifies the coyote as a game mammal that may be taken any time of the year with a permit. The code also specifies that you may shoot or trap damage-causing coyotes out-of-season without a permit.

Stay with ABC 17 News for more information on this developing story.