MOSES LAKE - One of the signs that winter is coming is that animals come down from the hills, and the appearance of coyotes around Montlake Park caused concern for one Moses Lake woman.

"The coyotes have become very brazen, coming out at all times" rather than mostly at night, said Janice Green, who has family living on South Beaumont Street. Her biggest concern, she said, is that the coyotes have been seen around the park on Beaumont Street. There are many small children in the area, Green said, and other kids that walk along the railroad track after school and on weekends.

Rich Singer, state Fish and Wildlife biologist for Grant and Adams counties, said it's not that unusual for coyotes to prefer an urban lifestyle. "Coyotes live in amongst the community," he said. "They're pretty adept at being around humans."

Even in town "it's pretty common to see them in the daylight," he said.

Singer said coyotes normally don't attack humans, but people, adults or kids, shouldn't approach them.

A coyote that's sick, or stressed by contact with humans, will show it in its behavior, Singer said. The animal will start acting aggressively, possibly even following people, he said, and that's when somebody needs to call the wildlife department.

Residents can make their property less attractive, Singer said. "Anything that's food for them, keep it locked away," he said. That's especially important at night, when coyotes are more active, he said. "Don't let your house cats out - or even a small dog - at night," he said.