Coyotes (Canis latrans) are common residents in North America’s urban and suburban landscapes, often moving through residential areas to find food and shelter. While most coyotes naturally exhibit wariness toward humans, repeated exposure without negative consequences can lead to them becoming bolder. Understanding how to react to an encounter is paramount for maintaining the animal’s natural aversion to people and ensuring community safety. This guidance explains how to respond safely and effectively if you see a coyote in your neighborhood.
Responding to a Distant or Passive Sighting
The most frequent encounters involve a coyote crossing a street or moving through a park while maintaining a clear distance. In these passive sightings, allow the animal to continue its journey undisturbed. Do not approach the coyote or try to get a closer look, as this interaction normalizes human presence. If you are walking a domestic animal, immediately secure your pet by leashing it or picking up small dogs, since a free-roaming dog can be perceived as competition.
Coyotes are often active at any time of day, so seeing one during daylight hours is not necessarily a sign of a problem. Stand still and wait for the animal to move out of sight, or back away slowly without turning your back or running. Running can trigger a pursuit response, which is a natural instinct for a canid. Never leave food scraps or water sources behind, as unintentional feeding encourages coyotes to frequent human-populated areas.
Active Deterrence Techniques (Hazing)
When a coyote appears too close, lingers, or shows a lack of fear by approaching a person or pet, active deterrence, known as hazing, is necessary. Hazing re-establishes the coyote’s fear of humans by making the encounter a negative experience. Begin by making yourself look large: raise your arms above your head and stand tall. Simultaneously, use a loud voice to yell aggressively, such as shouting “Go away, coyote!”
The key to successful hazing is using a variety of sensory deterrents until the animal retreats entirely. Carry simple noisemakers, such as an air horn, a whistle, or a can filled with coins, and use them repeatedly to startle the coyote. If the animal still does not move away, throw small, non-injurious objects, such as a tennis ball or small stones, near the coyote to make noise.
Maintain these efforts until the coyote has completely left the area, as stopping too soon teaches the animal that human threats are not persistent. Never attempt to harm the animal with the objects you throw, only to scare it into leaving. If the coyote stops to look back, continue the hazing with renewed intensity to ensure the lesson is fully learned. This consistent, negative reinforcement prevents coyotes from becoming habituated and overly comfortable around residential activity.
Minimizing Coyote Presence on Your Property
Preventative measures that remove food and shelter sources are the most effective long-term strategies for discouraging coyotes from lingering near homes. Coyotes are attracted to residential areas primarily due to easily accessible sustenance, including unsecured garbage containers. All trash must be stored in sturdy bins with secured lids and should only be placed out for collection on the morning of pickup. Pet food and water bowls should never be left outdoors, especially overnight, as these represent a dependable food source.
Opportunistic feeding can also be reduced by removing common natural attractants from the yard. Fallen fruit from trees and unsecured compost piles should be cleared regularly, as they provide a meal for coyotes or attract prey. Small domestic animals should never be left unsupervised outside, particularly during the dawn and dusk hours when coyotes are most active. Installing a fence at least six feet high that extends a short distance underground can physically deter them from entering the yard.
When to Contact Local Wildlife Authorities
Most coyote sightings do not require intervention, but specific, unusual behaviors necessitate professional assistance. Contact your local Animal Control or state wildlife agency if the coyote exhibits concerning behavior. Authorities can assess the situation and determine if the animal is a public safety risk that requires relocation or removal.
Situations requiring immediate reporting include:
- A coyote appearing visibly sick or injured, such as showing signs of mange or favoring a limb.
- A coyote trapped in a precarious location, like a fenced yard it cannot escape or a window well.
- Extreme, unprovoked aggression toward people or large pets.
- Behaviors like stalking children or attacking a large leashed dog without being cornered.
- Showing no fear even after being hazed aggressively.
- Repeated daytime sightings of coyotes establishing a den immediately adjacent to a home or playground.