Living with Wildlife
Living with Coyotes
Coyotes are most abundant on the open prairie and deserts. They are comfortable in the country, mountains or in cities, as long as there is shelter and food. In urban settings, they can lose their fear of people and may threaten domestic pets. People need to be aware of their presence and take precautions to avoid conflict with them.
Coyote Behavior
Coyote Activity
Coyotes are active year-round and become more visible during their breeding season in January through March. Pups are born from April to mid-May. Coyotes can be seen throughout the day, but are especially active at dawn and dusk. They may travel alone or in groups.
Coyote Dens
Coyotes live in dens or yards. They have their pups in dens – a hidden cavity that can be under rocks, stumps, ground or even porches. Coyotes keep watch near their dens to keep threats away from their young.
Signs of Aggression
- Raising its hackles
- Baring its teeth
- Growling
What do I do if a coyote displays signs of aggression?
Do not run or turn your back. Be as big and loud as possible. Shout in a loud authoritative voice. Wave your arms, clap your hands and throw objects at the coyote. If the coyote does not leave the area, face the coyote and slowly back away. Coyotes that exhibit dangerous behavior towards people should be reported to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Tips for Living with Coyotes
Avoid Attracting Coyotes to Your Home
Keep human-associated food access to garbage, pet food, birdfeeders and compost piles away and promptly report anyone illegally feeding wildlife.
If coyotes are near your home, deterrent ideas include: radios, motion lighting, strobe lights, sirens or odor deterrents. An Electronic Guard consists of strobe lights and sirens run by a timer. Ammonia-soaked rags can be applied to an area with a squirt bottle, but must be re-applied over time/after rain. Turn on flood lights. Make noise with an air horn, whistle, starter pistol or other noise maker.
Crossing Paths with Coyotes
Minimize a coyote encounter by being aware of your surroundings and carrying a walking stick or other deterrent. Deterrents can include rocks, vinegar in a water gun, paintballs, airhorns or a repellent spray (such as Citronella or pepper spray).
Find out moreProtecting Pets from Coyotes
Keep your pet(s) current on vaccines. The best way to guarantee your cat’s safety is to keep it indoors. Always supervise your pets outside, especially at dawn and dusk. If you must leave your dog outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel. Keep your pets on a short leash and never let them interact or play with wildlife. Avoid known or potential den sites and thick vegetation where coyotes may seek cover. Pick up small dogs when coyotes are visible. Some pets can be seen as a food source and large dogs can be seen as a threat to their territory. Responsible pet ownership is key in reducing conflicts.
Tips for keeping pets safeLiving with Coyotes
What should I do if there is a Coyote Den Nearby?
Having a general understanding of coyotes and being prepared may help minimize concerns you may have about having a coyote den nearby. CPW has educational/outreach products such as informational brochures, posters and signs. The local district wildlife manager and CPW volunteers may also meet with Home Owners Associations and attend community meetings to provide public education.
If the den is located in open space or park lands, notify the property’s managing authority. Colorado Parks and Wildlife can provide signs to alert people that coyotes are active in the area.
If the den is located on private property, landowners must decide whether they want the den on their property or not. Landowners may choose to leave the den alone or haze the coyotes out of the area and then destroy the den once the coyotes have left. If the coyotes are causing damage, landowners may choose lethal control.
For evicting coyotes from a den, use any legal hazing or deterrent method that will make the coyotes feel unsafe and unwelcome. Coyotes typically choose dark, quiet and safe areas, thus methods that disrupt these elements can be effective. Deterrents are typically most effective when applied in the evening, since coyotes are most likely to move their young dusk through dawn. Be persistent. It may take several days for the coyotes to leave.
- Place bright lights by the den opening at night.
- Throw some dog scat, rags/tennis balls soaked in ammonia or another deterrent into the coyote’s den.
- Place a loud radio (or other sound-producing device) near the den entrance.
Once the property owner believes the coyotes are gone, the area outside the den opening can be saturated with water or covered in powder (talcum powder, flour, etc). Once no tracks are observed going in or out of the den for a day or two, the den opening can then be filled in.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife does not allow the relocation of coyotes. Studies show coyote relocation is not effective, as a relocated coyote will often travel back to the capture site. Relocation often places the coyote in another coyote’s territory, and disease spread is a major consideration. There’s also a risk to humans from handling coyotes. Coyotes may be live-trapped on private property but must be killed once captured. But this often is a short-term fix, as removing one coyote simply opens territory for other coyotes to move in. This practice is ongoing, costly and ineffective.
Living with Coyote
Can Landowners Lethally Remove a Coyote?
When causing damage, coyotes can be taken on private lands without a hunting license. Homeowners should contact their city or county to learn more about the laws in their area. Any lethal control should target the specific coyote, or group of coyotes, causing the damage.
Within city limits, contact a licensed wildlife control company who specializes in safe, humane and effective trapping and removal services. Local city or county agencies may also have additional tools or resources available.
Living with Coyote
Who Do You Call About an Aggressive Coyote?
Educate your children and yourself about the presence of urban wildlife and NEVER approach any animal, wild or domestic, you don’t know. Learn what to do when a coyote approaches too closely.
Although rare, there are documented human attacks by coyotes. Most of these have been in association with coyotes being fed by people.
If a person is injured by a coyote, call 911 immediately.