Coyote Sightings in Carrollwood Village

They've been spotted lurking after sunset near Emerald Greens Golf Resort & Country Club. A few times, they were seen roaming near Top of the Village subdivision off North Village Drive.

Coyotes are making their presence felt in the Carrollwood area, and there's not much residents can do about it.

"The juveniles born this spring are the size of adults, and they're becoming more independent," said Gretchen Caudill, wildlife assistant biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "It's really common. It's not an increase in the population, but people start seeing them in the fall."

With an "abundant" number of coyotes in Florida, according to Pinellas County officials, it's no surprise that the bushy-tailed omnivores have flocked to Carrollwood's dense, suburban landscape, Caudill said. Suburban settings are considered "hot spots" for the animals, Caudill said,

Will Graham, supervisor of community patrol in Carrollwood Village, said his night crew saw a few coyotes roaming the golf course at Emerald Greens last month, near subdivisions like The Cloisters off North Village Drive. Graham said he's never seen coyotes, since he works the day shift.

His theory on their origin?

"I think they migrated from Waters Avenue, near Town 'N Country," Graham said.

To keep residents safe, Graham advised the Carrollwood Village Homeowners Association send a memo to residents in the area, asking them to keep an eye out for smaller pets and children.

Meanwhile, Caudill offered a few tips for keeping coyotes at bay.

"What we recommend is a hazing approach, which means scaring them off everytime you see them," Caudill said. "I recommend loud noise, like an air horn or pots and pans ... it's important that these guys have an innate fear of humans."

To contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife and Conservation Commission, go to http://myfwc.com/.

Have you seen coyotes in Carrollwood? Tell us where in the comments.