Used to hear fox howling(??) or whatever you'd call it and sometimes shrieking, I figured that meant they had just slaughtered something. Used to keep me up at night. Also had coyotes prowling around suburban area (but surrounded by forest preserves.) Used to have tons of rabbits everywhere destroying gardens - then they all disappeared. The other day I was surprised to see a rabbit on my driveway. I had all but forgotten what they looked like.
Haven't seen a coyote in years but, did see at least one or two every time before that when I used to do fitness walking. Even saw coyote come out of a yard with some animal in its mouth. Made me feel ill - thought maybe it had killed someone's pet. I know they were poisoning coyotes that even made it to downtown Chicago, so imagine that were doing that even near me.
Used to have deer going through neighborhood yards and barely dodging cars. Rare to see deer now. Wonder if they have died from a "wasting disease" that was supposed to be affecting them.
A week or so ago saw something BIG on my driveway (when I looked out kitchen window), opened door for a closer look and it was Bucky(what neighbors called him) a young buck that had been eating flowers and veggies out of gardens, years ago. I was close enough to touch his muzzle (but didn't) he sort of blinked at me and then slowly walked off. This time he had a full rack (antlers) but, still didn't seem to be threatening.
I wonder if some folks are feeding him.