Missouri
Coyotes live ‘pretty much anywhere’ in Missouri: Here’s why you may see more in winter
Winter is the time to look for coyotes in Missouri, from the city to the country.
These dog relatives are native to North America, and they spread as far as Alaska and the Panama Canal during the 20th century.
Meriwether Lewis described the coyotes as “little prairie wolves” in 1806, when the Lewis and Clark expedition noticed a group of coyotes barking and howling coyotes near their camp close to present-day St. Joseph, Missouri.
With their dog-like barks and howls, coyotes make themselves known in Missouri today. They hunt small animals like mice, rats and crickets and scavenge food like roadkill and trash.
Here’s what you should know about Missouri coyotes from Nate Bowersock, black bear and furbearer biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, whose specialty includes coyotes, foxes and badgers.
Why do I see more coyotes during the winter?
Both the environment and coyotes’ food sources mean it’s easier to spot them during the cooler months.
Since pups are bigger, they can roam with their parents looking for food. When squirrels, mice and rabbits struggle to find food in the winter, they are more likely to fall prey to a coyote’s advances.
After the leaves drop off the trees, it’s easier to see a coyote hiding in the woods.
Where in Missouri do coyotes live?
These canines can live in many environments, as long as there are small animals to eat and a patch of woods to hide in.
“Coyotes are just very well-adapted species, so they can live pretty much anywhere,” Bowersock said.
Coyotes live everywhere from remote Missouri farmland to the middle of the city. Bowersock said he’s heard reports of coyote sightings in downtown Kansas City and near St. Louis airport.
“I almost hit one driving through the middle of Columbia the other day,” he said.
Coyotes thrive in urban areas because usually people can’t fire weapons within city limits, therefore they can’t hunt coyotes. Coyotes can also kill the prey that would have been eaten by larger predators that can’t live in cities, like bears.
How do I tell a coyote apart from a fox or wolf?
While all three dog-like animals live in Missouri, they have major differences that can help you tell them apart.
Bowersock said coyotes are known for their typically gray color, big pointy ears, long legs and long snout.
Coyotes are typically a foot and a half tall, about half as tall as an average wolf. However, a coyote’s size can be hard to determine when they have their fluffy winter fur, which makes them look larger than they are.
Unlike coyotes, both gray and red foxes have a splash of orange fur, Bowersock said.
What should I do if I see a coyote in the city?
Bowersock said to stay away from the coyote and don’t approach or feed it. Coyotes are usually scared of humans, so if an urban coyote approaches you, call your local Department of Conservation office.
Bowersock said to not be worried if there are coyotes in your town.
“I think, as a scientist and an ecologist, you know, they’re there because there’s a resource available to them. They wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t food for them and cover for them to utilize,” Bowersock said.
How can I keep coyotes off my land?
Lock up your livestock and pets overnight, Bowensock said. Putting animals in a chicken coop or barn will keep your small animals from becoming a snack for coyotes, Bowensock said. Smaller cats and dogs can fall victim to coyotes, but a predator is unlikely to kill an animal larger than itself.
If a coyote is causing problems, call your local Department of Conservation office, Bowersock said. They can put you in touch with a wildlife conflict biologist, who can help mitigate issues with the coyotes.
2024 The Kansas City Star. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Coyotes live ‘pretty much anywhere’ in Missouri: Here’s why you may see more in winter (2024, December 13)
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BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Mo. (KCTV) – A head-on collision on Highway 71 killed 3 people and seriously injured a 4th, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
State Troopers say the crash happened around 1:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, near the intersection of Highway 71 and 170th St. – about a mile and a half north of Burlington Junction.
Investigators say a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 59-year-old woman from Carthage, Texas, was heading north on the highway when it crossed the centerline.
The Chevrolet struck a southbound 2026 Ford Explorer head-on, according to MSHP. Both vehicles caught fire and came to rest in the southbound lane.
State Troopers note that the crash killed the Texas driver, a 67-year-old woman from Harlan, Iowa and a 76-year-old woman from Rockwell City, Iowa.
The Ford’s driver – a 72-year-old man from Rockwell City – was airlifted to Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, with serious injuries, according to first responders.
Troopers say all four people involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 9, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 9 drawing
15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 9 drawing
Midday: 4-0-0
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 0-1-4
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 9 drawing
Midday: 4-8-3-6
Midday Wild: 0
Evening: 5-4-2-2
Evening Wild: 3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 9 drawing
Early Bird: 06
Morning: 09
Matinee: 01
Prime Time: 15
Night Owl: 01
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 9 drawing
06-08-18-21-35
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 9 drawing
06-27-58-61-65, Powerball: 14
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Homicide detectives in Kansas City, Missouri, were called to the scene of a deadly shooting Saturday morning.
Just before 7 a.m. Saturday, police received a reported shooting call near E. 4th Street and Holmes Street.
When officers arrived, they located an adult male in the street who had been shot.
Paramedics transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A police spokesperson said detectives believe the victim had an interaction with one or more suspects in a vehicle when one of the suspects opened fire, striking the victim.
The spokesperson said the incident happened in an area with several apartment residences – detectives are interviewing potential witnesses for additional information.
—
If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
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