The coyote is a highly adaptable, medium-sized predator native to North America that has successfully expanded its range into almost every environment, including dense urban and suburban areas. Their ecological success is linked to their varied diet and ability to coexist near human populations. The designation of a coyote as a “pest” is highly contextual, dependent on the location, the animal’s specific behavior, and the human observer’s perspective. What constitutes a nuisance for an urban homeowner is vastly different from the loss experienced by a rural rancher dealing with livestock depredation.
Why Coyotes Are Contextually Labeled Pests
Coyotes are labeled as pests when their opportunistic foraging habits directly intersect with human economic interests or domestic life. The most significant financial damage occurs in agricultural settings, where coyotes are responsible for substantial livestock losses, particularly among sheep and goats. These predators often target the most vulnerable animals, such as young lambs and calves, which lack the ability to defend themselves. Predation tends to be higher during spring and summer grazing periods when livestock are dispersed and pups are being raised, increasing the need for easily accessible food.
In suburban and urban environments, the primary conflict stems from the threat to domestic animals. Coyotes prey on small pets, including cats and small dog breeds, especially if they are left unattended outdoors during dawn and dusk hours. This behavior is a consequence of habituation, where coyotes lose their natural wariness and associate residential areas with reliable food sources. Accessing unsecured trash, compost piles, and outdoor pet food bowls encourages boldness and closer proximity to homes.
Coyotes also cause property damage by foraging on agricultural commodities and garden produce. They are known to feed on crops such as watermelons, sweet corn, and berries. In residential yards, they may dig beneath fences or forage for rodents, inadvertently damaging landscaping. The issue escalates when individuals become overly bold, sometimes approaching people, or when they are repeatedly observed in areas where the public perceives a threat to children or pets.
Legal Framework for Coyote Management
The legal status of the coyote varies significantly across North America. In many jurisdictions, it is classified as an unprotected species or a furbearer, meaning coyotes can often be hunted or trapped year-round without a closed season or daily bag limits. State fish and wildlife departments are the primary regulatory bodies, but the specific rules regarding lethal removal are subject to local ordinances.
In many states, landowners have the authority to kill a coyote found actively destroying livestock or domestic fowl on their property, regardless of the typical hunting season. Urban areas often restrict the use of firearms, requiring alternative methods or the involvement of licensed wildlife control professionals. Trapping regulations are varied, often requiring a specific furbearer license and imposing limits on the type of trap used, such as a foothold or cable restraint, and how frequently it must be checked.
The complexity of the framework arises because the general classification often grants broad management flexibility, but the specific method of take is highly regulated. For instance, local laws may dictate that only non-lethal cage traps are permissible in a residential zone. This patchwork of federal, state, and municipal rules means that anyone intending to manage a coyote conflict must confirm the precise legal methods permitted for their specific location.
Practical Strategies for Reducing Conflict
The most effective approach to reducing conflict with coyotes is the proactive removal of attractants and the implementation of physical barriers. Homeowners should eliminate all intentional and unintentional food sources that draw coyotes into residential areas. This involves storing garbage in secure containers with tight-fitting lids and ensuring pet food and water bowls are never left outdoors, particularly overnight.
Any accessible food item, including fallen fruit from trees, should be promptly collected and removed from the yard. Securing compost piles and feeding livestock in fully enclosed shelters helps eliminate reliable food rewards that condition coyotes to frequent human-occupied spaces. This focus on changing human behavior prevents the habituation that leads to bold and problematic coyote behavior.
Physical deterrence can be achieved through secure fencing, ideally a minimum of 5.5 feet tall. To address their tendency to dig, fences should be supplemented with a buried wire apron extending outward from the base. When a coyote is sighted, a technique known as hazing should be employed to re-instill a natural fear of humans. Hazing involves being loud and assertive—shouting, waving arms, using noise makers, or throwing small, non-injurious objects—to make the experience of being near people unpleasant.
Pet owners reduce risk by keeping cats indoors and always supervising small dogs when they are outside. When walking dogs, maintaining a short leash is important, especially during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active. For livestock protection, using guard animals such as specific dog breeds, llamas, or donkeys can be highly successful when combined with secure enclosures.