Effective wildlife management requires specific strategies to deter coyotes while tolerating deer. The solution lies in exploiting their fundamental differences in diet and behavior. Coyotes are drawn primarily by sources of easy calories and secure den sites, while deer are attracted by forage and browseable vegetation. Managing both species requires a layered approach that eliminates the coyote’s motivation to enter an area using physical and behavioral deterrents.
Eliminating Specific Coyote Attractants
The most effective step in discouraging coyotes is removing the high-reward attractants that draw them into human spaces. Coyotes, unlike deer, are attracted to unsecured garbage, compost, and outdoor pet food. All residential trash containers must be secured with locking lids or stored until collection day to prevent access. Pet food should never be left outside, especially overnight, as it encourages coyotes to associate residential areas with easy foraging. Clearing dense brush piles or debris also removes potential den sites and secure hiding spots, making the area less hospitable without affecting a deer’s motivation to browse.
Low-Profile Physical Barriers and Exclusion
Physical barriers are effective against coyotes without needing the excessive height required to deter deer. Coyotes are proficient diggers and climbers, but fences designed to counteract these behaviors do not need to be as tall as the seven-to-eight-foot barriers necessary to stop a deer. A fence height of four to six feet is sufficient if the barrier addresses the coyote’s tendency to dig and climb. The most important element is the addition of a wire apron, an L-shaped mesh extension laid flat on the ground for at least 12 to 18 inches outward from the base, which prevents digging beneath the fence line. To prevent climbing, a fence can be fitted with coyote rollers, rotating cylinders placed along the top edge that prevent the animal from gaining purchase.
Active Deterrence and Behavioral Modification
Active deterrence, or hazing, is a method of behavioral modification that re-establishes a coyote’s natural fear of humans. When a coyote is spotted, use a multi-sensory approach to create an immediate, negative experience. This involves making oneself appear large, yelling loudly, and using noisemakers such as air horns or cans filled with coins. The key to successful hazing is consistency and intensity; the action must be aggressive and continue until the coyote completely leaves the area. Throwing small objects toward the animal reinforces the negative association, conditioning the coyote to avoid the area, while having little lasting effect on deer behavior.
Legal Frameworks for Non-Lethal Control
Before implementing any control methods, understand the local legal frameworks governing non-lethal wildlife management. Regulations regarding hazing, trapping, and exclusion vary significantly between state wildlife agencies and local municipal ordinances. Homeowners should verify that their deterrence methods, such as motion-activated water sprinklers or noise devices, are not considered harassment or a public nuisance. The unauthorized relocation of problem wildlife is often illegal and requires specific permits, as moving an animal can shift the problem to a different community. If a coyote exhibits unusual aggression or a complete lack of fear, contact professional wildlife control services or local animal control immediately.