BLUE, Okla. -- Coyotes, native to Texas and Oklahoma, are making their presence known -- attacking pets and even people, most recently in the Dallas suburb of Frisco.

The wild canines have also become regular visitors in Bryan County, Oklahoma, in Judy Stephens' backyard in Blue.

"Worries me, because I have a small dog that I have to let out," she said. "I used to just let her out and should would come back in, but now I have to walk with her because I don't want her to get picked up and carried off by them."

Stephens said she sees about 10 to 15 coyotes near her home every night, running along a neighboring creek bed.

"You can hear them about sundown and also at midnight, and there's a lot of them," she said.

Robert Bryan has had experience hunting and trapping coyotes. As winter wraps up, he said another season is causing a peak in these predators.

"From the end of this month 'til about St. Patrick's Day in March, the breeding season is going on in Oklahoma and Texas," Bryan said. "They change their patterns; they run out in the middle of the day, or you see them in areas you haven't seen them before."

He said now is the time to stay alert as humans continue to encroach on the coyote's natural habitat.

"It's us trying to take over their areas, and people should be aware of that and consistently watch," Bryan said.

If you ever have a close encounter with a coyote, there are things you can do to deter them.

"You want to be loud," Bryan said. "It's easy enough to pick up a stick and throw at them, but just show them that you are the dominant."

Judy Stephens said she plans to remain vigilant.

"They are a nuisance... coyotes are just a nuisance," she said.