Coyotes in New York in May

Yes, May is a good month to see coyotes in New York. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 185 of the 2,118 sightings logged across the year (8.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Coyote photographed in New YorkCoyote photographed in New YorkCoyote photographed in New York
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for coyotes in New York

8.7%

of yearly sightings

185

records in May

#5

busiest month of 12

2,118

verified records a year

April 11.5%, May 8.7%, June 7.3%. Busiest month is March at 12.6%.

Best months: March, April, February

2,118 verified observations of coyotes in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When coyotes are recorded in New York

Peak month

March

266 records (12.6% of the year)

Quietest month

July

120 records

MonthObservationsShare
January21810.3%
Februarypeak22710.7%
Marchpeak26612.6%
Aprilpeak24411.5%
May1858.7%
June1547.3%
July1205.7%
August1225.8%
September1306.1%
October1587.5%
November1306.1%
December1647.7%

Coyotes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Coyote2,118

In New York, May carries 8.7% of the year's coyotes sightings, about 0.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from April (11.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (7.3%) after. The busiest month is March (12.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The coyotes most often recorded in New York are Coyote. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.

Which coyotes you are most likely to see

  • Coyote2,118 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your coyote trip in New York

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see coyotes in New York in May?+

Yes. May accounts for 185 of the 2,118 verified coyotes sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 8.7% of the annual total.

Is May a good time to see coyotes in New York?+

May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though March and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for coyotes in New York?+

March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and February, based on 2,118 verified observations.

Which coyotes are you most likely to see in New York?+

The most-recorded species in New York are Coyote, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.