As recent as Friday morning, coyotes have been spotted within the city of Estevan along the train tracks which doesn't pose much of a threat to people, but it does pose a threat to small animals such as pets. This happens when they start to roam around looking for food, and with the amount of garbage around from the winter melt along with rabbits in Estevan, this should come as no surprise.

Conservation Officer with the Ministry of Environment Rob Stolz says that the easiest way to keep coyotes away from your yard, whether it's in town or on a farm, is to take away their food source.

"Just make sure that there's no food source available for them. Keep your garbage in the bin and picked up, and pet food. Pet food is the big one, especially on farms. A lot of people that have outdoor farm dogs will feed them outside or in the barn, and coyotes, skunks, racoons, everything comes in to eat that."

Coyotes typically like to hunt in packs, so seeing one by itself usually isn't that big of an issue unless it looks like it's a little on the mangy side. Ruffled up fur and hunched over can mean they are sick or have something else wrong with them, so if you do come across a coyote that is in this condition, there's a set of steps you should folllow.

"The best bet is if you see a coyote or any wildlife that appears sick or ill or isn't acting in a normal fashion, definitely call the tip line 1-800-667-7561, or if you happen to have a SaskTel cellphone you can just hit #5555 and that will link you up with the tip line and then one of the conservation officers will come and take a look to see what we can do to deal with the problem."

At this time of year, coyotes are starting to be a little more active as they are getting ready to hunt gophers and other small animals that they find in the fields, so they aren't as likely to be coming into town looking for food. That's not to say it won't happen, so if you do have cats or even small dogs that you let roam outside in the yard, it might be time to bring them in.

"They'll follow the deer and the rabbits and everything into town, and coyotes tend to pray on cats. They seem to be one of their food sources so definitely keep your cats indoors if you're concerned or if you are seeing coyotes in the area."

Coyotes are not likely to attack a person on sight, especially if it a fully grown adult. If you are walking a small dog though, it might be a good idea to keep them on a leash so you can keep them close or even pick them up if need be.

"Same thing with small kids, if you are concerned then just bring them in close to you but usually you don't have anything to worry about. If you are afraid, just make yourself big, clap your hands and make some noise. Whatever you do though, don't run. Same thing as any other wild animal, as soon as you turn and you run, it can instill that chase instinct."

Because of how common coyotes are in Saskatchewan, it is legal for any Saskatchewan resident to kill them. If you wish to trap them or sell their hide however, you will need a legal hunting license within Saskatchewan.