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Coyotes have long been established and common in suburban and urban centers, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver. In Kentucky, they are now commonly seen in all 120 counties but, for the most part, stay hidden from people. If you encounter a coyote, don't panic. Coyotes will typically avoid people unless we create a situation that invites them closer to our homes. It is essential that communities work together to maintain the natural fear that coyotes have of us and create an environment where coyotes and humans can better co-exist.
PSA Coyotes Spotted in Louisville, KentuckyCredit: Louisville Metro TV
Coyotes are highly adaptable and are often looking for new territories and food. - Image Credit: Laura Palmer, Trailcam Footage
Please find the attached publications related to urban coyotes and general coyote biology. The Coyotes in the Suburbs includes helpful information about coyote behavior and addressing coyote issues. Coyotes are common throughout Kentucky, and many homeowners may not even be aware that they live nearby.
Coyotes usually select den sites in hollow trees or logs, rock crevices, brush piles, abandoned groundhog burrows, self-excavated holes, or even abandoned buildings or junk piles.
Coyote sightings increase during the winter breeding season and pup rearing in spring and early summer. During the breeding season, coyotes may be less tolerant of dogs and more territorial. People should stay away from den sites as coyotes feel the need to protect their pups. During the late summer and fall seasons, coyote sightings often increase, likely due to the breaking up of family groups and subsequent dispersal of young adults in late summer and early fall to establish their territories.
Coyotes are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of foods, including mice, rabbits, frogs, insects, carrion, goose eggs, and fruit. If natural foods are limited, they may take advantage of dog food, garden fruits such as watermelon and strawberries, and garbage. Secure garbage, take pet food inside and don't feed raccoons, opossums, deer, or feral cats.
Provide secure housing for chickens and rabbits.
Bring livestock into barns or sheds at night.
Use guard animals such as donkeys, llamas, and dogs to protect livestock.
Contact WCO personnel or fur trappers who remove coyotes causing damage or showing threatening behavior.
The best way to decrease human and coyote conflict is not to feed coyotes--intentionally or unintentionally. Discourage your neighbors from feeding coyotes, feral cat colonies, or other wildlife. When coyotes come too close or appear aggressive or have lost their fear of humans, it is often the result of being fed. The following are common types of outdoor food sources for coyotes:
In addition to providing food, your outdoor space should be secured. If you have pets or small children, this is even more essential.
Supervise pets while they are in the yard. Coyotes can climb over or dig beneath most fencing. Unattended pets should be kenneled.
If you have a dog, be sure to walk your dog on a short, non-retractable leash that is highly visible to the coyote; they are less likely to attack a dog if they see it as part of you. Do not walk your dog at the same time or on the same route every day. Coyotes learn patterns. Always clean up dog droppings, as they will attract coyotes. Do not let your dog chase a coyote; the coyote will defend itself, and your dog may be injured.
Cats are often easy targets for coyotes; therefore, do not let cats outside, especially without supervision.
Small children should never be left unattended. Teach children never to approach a coyote or run from one; instead, use hazing techniques.
Encourage your neighbors to follow these guidelines. Keeping coyotes wild and wary of humans is a community effort. Visit urbancoyoteresearch.com for more information.
Do immediately begin scaring the coyote away; do not stand and observe it.
Do make loud noises: shout, whistle, clap hands, stomp feet.
Do appear larger: wave arms, widen stance, wave a walking stick.
Do establish dominance: take a step or lunge in the coyote’s direction, and throw objects in the coyote’s direction but not directly at it.
Do pick up a small dog or child.
Do continue hazing activity until the coyote retreats out of sight.
Do stay away from known den areas; coyotes will protect their pups. If you suspect a den is nearby, slowly back away from the area.
Do share these techniques with neighbors.
Do not panic. Coyotes are curious and sometimes follow people to see what they are doing in their territories.
Do not approach a coyote to take photographs or videos.
Do not turn your back.
Do not run. Running away dampens the coyote’s fear of people and could invite it to chase.
Do not haze a coyote that is cornered, with pups, or appears sick or injured. Slowly back away.
Coyotes are at home in all types of environments. - Image Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Occasionally, individual coyotes may become too comfortable around people and need to be removed. However, relocation is not recommended, as it can create problems elsewhere.
Preventing conflicts with coyotes is a shared responsibility. Don’t panic—humans and coyotes can coexist. Learn more on our Living with Wildlife page.