Karan Rodriguez
Jul 1, 2026, 11:23 PM
Pulled this together after reading up on the county's guidance, because I think a lot of us in San Clemente are underestimating how fast a coyote learns our neighborhoods. Two things stuck with me. First, once they start associating people with food — pet bowls left out, trash that isn't latched, fallen avocados and figs — they stop keeping their distance, and that's when the daytime boldness starts. Second, OC's own reporting line (Coyote Cacher) exists because sightings near homes are worth logging, not shrugging off. We back up to the Ridgeline trail off Avenida Vaquero and I've watched one trot the greenbelt at 6:40pm like it owned the easement. So my ask is simple and on the controlling side, I'll admit: cats indoors, small dogs on a short leash and never off it near the canyons, no food or water bowls outside overnight, and lock your trash bins. The more we remove the reasons for them to feel comfortable around us, the fewer close calls we all deal with. Report the bold ones. Don't wait until it's your yard.
Hyun Young
Jul 1, 2026, 11:23 PM
I'm still new to all this, so mostly I'm reading and learning here. But the part that stuck with me was the 5:45 timing and it following you. Was there anything on that trail it might've been getting into? Trash, fruit trees, someone feeding? I keep seeing that fearlessness usually traces back to a food source, and I'd be curious if others near Vista Hermosa have noticed the same animal. Glad you and your beagle are okay.
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