Are coyotes coming around a lot more lately in St. Michael-Albertville? Could be. Commenters at the St. Michael Patch Facebook page had a lot of sightings, stories and opinions in response to a question posed by St. Michael Patch — Have you seen any coyotes lately?

Several people were surprised that other people have too seen coyotes. One commentor was concerned that the coyotes are not afraid of people.

Sightings, stories and opinions:

• I have come across a couple on the paths leading to the river.

• Almost ran one over on 37

• The last one I saw was last summer in my yard at 3 a.m. None since then. I think the cougar scared them all away... I think the cougar has moved on too now, though. I haven't even seen a fox for the last 6 weeks or so. My chickens are happy.

• We had one attack our cat! She is ok :)

• Just dead...on the side of the freeway :(

• Okay, I thought I was crazy. I saw one a few weeks ago in the field to the right of the westbound off-ramp to 241. I even went home and researched to see if they came this far south.

• Our yard butts up to the Crow River and we've seen them walking in our backyard, especially when the river is frozen over.

• We chased one out of the field across from our house a few months ago. Haven't seen any since.

• We have one in our yard every now and then. I have also seen one in Rogers area as well.

• Wow! I guess we'll have to be more careful when we let our 17-pound dog out!

• They're all over wih the brush wolves (icky looking things) in the field and woods behind our house. We hear them howling, yipping and barking often. We don't actually SEE them very often but they've been around for decades. Our dog is 3 pounds — full grown. She rarely goes outside by herself :)

• We have never actually seen them either, but we hear them all the time!

• Sure have! Ran across our driveway on the way to the farm

• We used to live in the townhouse in Otsego off 101 & 37. We would see and hear them often. We saw them more so in the last 3 years. We even saw them in Alberville off 37 near 94. There all over and are not afraid of us. There starting to come in closer looking for food.

• Twice in our backyard (Highwoods) and saw one run into the Highlands neighborhood in broad daylight. Not good.

• Thought I saw one yesterday, near 37 /94... Thought I was seeing things, thanks for helping me not feel like I'm going crazy!

• Nope. But, I did see a fox a few weeks ago as my husband and I were walking along Maciver in Otsego. Apparently it was in a trap that was set in a field near Maciver and 70th st, a man got it out and threw the dead fox into the back of his pick-up. Not something you see every day!

• Haven't seen any out here 1 mile W. out of town on co. rd 35 (Kahl ave). There are 100 acres of family farm land across the road from our house. Knock on wood, I hope to not see any either.

Siah St. Clair, director at the City of Fridley's Springbrook Nature Center, offered by email several reasons people might be seeing coyotes more this time of year:

Coyotes are endemic to suburban and even urban areas of the Twin Cities.  The number of sightings have increased in recent years, which may or may not suggest an increase in population size.  While still very wary and elusive, they can be bold and approach someone walking a small dog.  When coyotes are present, small dogs should not be left unattended.

In the fall young coyotes are starting to disperse to new areas, and adults are freed up from raising young and have more time to patrol their territories.  And since the leaves are down, there is a better chance of seeing them. 

What's your wildlife story? Leave a comment below or upload a photo to this post.

Related:

• Coyotes Seen across Metro Area