How to Avoid Urban Coyotes

Coyotes are what Western lore are made of, but they have become part of the urban landscape. The coyotes once wide-open lands are a shrinking landscape. The coyotes have moved into domestic territories to find food. Today, there are too many coyotes in the United States to count.

Coyotes do not usually attack humans but in the 1980’s one attacked and killed a baby. There have been more instances of coyotes biting or attacking children and adults. Last year there were two separate attacks by coyotes on children. When bitten the person must go through a series of rabies shots.

The tips below will help you to avoid urban coyotes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. The first part of knowing how to avoid a coyote is knowing what a coyote looks like. Sometimes coyotes are mistaken for dogs because they crossbreed. And it should be noted coyotes crossbreed with wolves as well, so some coyotes may look different than a full-blooded coyote.

2. February is coyote mating season then have their pups in the spring. This is the time they are more aggressive towards humans and dogs. They consider dogs and cats a crossbreeding threat and can become agressive during this time. This is also when most coyotes attack humans.

3. The biggest no, no, do not feed coyotes. Garbage is on a coyote's menu and this is an invitation to stay around the source of food. They will become a nuisance quickly. Keep garbage out of reach of coyotes by securing it in a locked-lid trash can, dumpster, or keep inside a garage or basement until trash pick-up day. If you see a coyote in town report it to wildlife officers or other authorities, especially if it has pups. Coyote mother's scavange for food for pups in the spring and are aggressive and protective of their young.

4. Do not leave pets alone. Coyotes eat small animals and rodents. There scat (droppings) have been examined by Wildlife Officers and their diet mostly consist of rodents, rabbit, birds and deer. However, when hungry they will eat pets.

5. Other things to do to keep coyotes attacks at bay, keep a dog on a short leash. If a coyote is showing signs of an impending attack yell loudly,throw rocks and make noises. This will scare a coyote and will also relate humans with bad things and be less likely to attack someone.

6. Do not try to relocate coyotes. This has been done by officials. Coyotes were tagged and moved from the area to the country. They don't stay, they always go back to the same place they lived. Some neighborhood watch groups go around trying to shoo off coyotes by making noise, yelling, and otherwise scaring coyotes. This strategy has been working, but always understand coyotes are cunning and clever so don't let your guard down.

Tips & Warnings

• If coyotes are on your property and you feel they are a threat to you, your family or livestock, you can legally shoot them.
• Reducing the number of coyotes does not work. The more their populations reduce the larger litters they have.
• We have to learn to live with them. The first thing is to understand coyotes but make them afraid of humans.
• Never take on a pack of coyotes, bring animals and children inside, and call police.

Resources

• Urban Coyotes on the Rise
• Animal Pictures Archive type in Coyote

[apalmer]

on 4/30/2009 Ilivetoteach - The above photo is not a wolf, it is a photo of a coyote. Some coyotes do interbreed with wolves. Research online 'picture of a wolf' and you will see the difference between a 'picture of a coyote'. Similar but different. Sometimes domestic dogs breed with coyotes, which isn't good either.

[harvard]

on 4/10/2009 It's a sad state of affairs when humans and wild animals mix. Thanks for this action-packed article. The message is do not domesticate the urban coyotes. Thank you.

[ilivetoteach]

on 3/31/2009 Yes, L.A. has a lot of coyotes, but isn't that a picture of a wolf? Regardless, it's a great article and very helpful to those living in the west. *5

[kittykat3]

on 3/30/2009 These are very good tips and very useful information for avoiding urban coyotes. 5*

[Smireles]

on 3/30/2009 Interesting and good information about urban coyotes. Thanks for sharing.