Discouraging Coyotes

Coyotes can be active at any time of day but especially around dawn and dusk. Conflicts with coyotes occur most often during the spring and summer months as people and their pets spend more time outdoors and coyotes are raising their pups. Fall sightings are also common as young coyotes disperse and are learning to live on their own. Coyotes sometimes follow people who are near their dens to ensure that they’re not a threat to their pups. This is called escort behavior and generally does not pose a danger.

If a coyote approaches

Try to make coyotes feel uncomfortable around you, your kids, your home and your pets by teaching them a healthy fear of humans. If a coyote approaches you:

  • Be as big and loud as possible

  • Wave your arms, clap and throw rocks or other objects at the coyote

  • Use a deterrent such as an air horn, vinegar in a water gun or banging pots and pans

  • Shout in a loud and authoritative voice

  • Do not run or turn your back on the coyote; face the coyote and back away slowly

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Teach your children

  • Never approach wild animals or dogs you don’t know

  • If a coyote approaches you, wave your arms, stomp your feet and yell GO AWAY COYOTE!

  • Call for help

  • If the animal doesn’t leave, walk out of the area, keeping the animal in your sight

If you feel that coyotes in your neighborhood are displaying aggressive behaviors, urban coyote experts can provide a free assessment of your situation. Call the USDA state office at (360) 753-9884.

Never feed coyotes. Coyotes that are fed by people often lose their fear of humans and may become aggressive. Educate your friends and neighbors about the problems associated with feeding coyotes. If you belong to a homeowner’s association or neighborhood watch, share this information.

Don’t give coyotes access to garbage. Keep garbage can lids tight by securing them with rope, chain, bungee cords or weights. Better yet, buy garbage cans with clamps or other mechanisms that hold lids on. To prevent tipping, secure the side handles to metal or wooden stakes driven into the ground. Or keep your cans in tight-fitting bins, a shed or a garage.

Prevent access to fruit and compost. Keep fruit trees fenced or pick up fruit that falls to the ground. Keep compost piles within a fenced area or securely covered. Cover new compost material with soil or lime to prevent it from smelling. Never include meat, dairy or eggs in your compost; it attracts coyotes. If burying food scraps, cover them with at least 12 inches of soil and don’t leave any garbage above ground in the area—including the stinky shovel.

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Feed dogs and cats indoors. If you must feed your pets outside, do so in the morning or at midday. Pick up food, water bowls, leftovers and spilled food well before dark every day.

Don’t feed feral cats (free-living domestic cats). Coyotes prey on these cats as well as any food you leave out for them.

Prevent the buildup of food under bird feeders. Coyotes will eat bird food and are attracted to the many birds and rodents that come to feeders.  

Can I remove a problem coyote?

A homeowner or renter may kill or trap a coyote or hire a trapper to perform this service if a coyote is damaging crops or domestic animals (RCW 77.36.030) Check with your county and/or local jurisdiction for local restrictions.

If you encounter a coyote that is being actively aggressive or bites a person, contact your local Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife office.