The Department of Natural Resources has bagged one mature, female coyote in its trapping program near a school in Port Hawkesbury.

The department decided to set leg-hold traps near Tamarac Education Centre after reports of coyotes in the residential area.

Wildlife technician Bruce Murphy said Tuesday there have been no coyote sightings in the past week or two, and the trapping of the single coyote could be a reason why.

"Anytime, you know, you're out in the woods and you [instill] some sort of fear in any animal, that fear of human presence and not relating it to a food source, it definitely will have some sort of effect," he said.

The trapping program near the schools ended Monday, Murphy said.

The department is still doing tests on the remains of the now-dead coyote.

The province will introduce a trapping incentive program next fall to deal with aggressive coyotes confronting humans.

At least four schools in the province have warned parents about coyotes spotted close to school property and many others have experienced close encounters with the animals.

Last October, a Toronto woman was killed as she hiked in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Taylor Mitchell, 19, was on the Skyline Trail near Cheticamp when she was attacked by two coyotes. Both animals involved in the attack have since been killed.

The Nova Scotia government will pay trappers $20 per coyote pelt starting next fall.