How do I scare off coyotes?

[Minnie824]

So in the last week, 2 dogs have been attacked by coyotes within a mile of where we live...only 1 barely survived. This is NOT a rural area. We have some wooded areas, but thats not even too close, its a developed city. Anyway, DH normally lets our dog (little furball dog) out at night, but he's got a late meeting next week and I'll have to. Now I'm freaking out that if theres a coyote out there I won't know what to do...especially if its dark out! We have a fenced in yard, but so did the people with one of the other dogs who got attacked so that doesn't really matter. Any advice? Should I bring anything out w/me when I let the dog out?

 

[Hercules10]

If you know how to handle a firearm I'd suggest a pump shotgun. If you're not the gun type then get some pepper spray, but be prepared, cause that stuff can get you and your own dog as well.

An old rancher trick to ward off coyotes was to kill one and then hang it over a fence post to ward off the others. Some ranchers swore by it, but I don't think your neighbors would appreciate a coyote carcass hanging of your fence.

 

[L107ANGEL]

We get coyotes up here and I don't know of any tricks to deter them. I never thought I would say this but I have to agree with Herc, protect yourself and your dog.

 

[golfgal]

Get a Llama. Many farmers have llamas to ward off coyotes.

 

[Cantw8]

 

[mickeysgal]

Do you have any outside lights or emergency spotlights on the outside corners of your house? If so, put these on. I doubt that coyotes will choose to wander into a well lit area. They're going to be more afraid of a human presence so make sure you go out with the dog or even prior to make sure the yard is clear.

My dad has them occasionally on their property (5 acres) - we've seen them during the day and most definitely have heard them at night. At night, when you hear a fire engine or police car thats close, the sound pitch must trigger something in then, because they start howling and howling. Its creepy.

 

[Minnie824]

Well, we don't live on a farm...just a normal subdivision in a city, so even if I had a gun (which I don't) it would be against the law to shoot it at the animal. Anything else maybe?

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I have no advice about coyotes. I just wanted to tell you that every time I look at the CB page and see your thread title I crack up laughing. I keep wanting to make Roadrunner noises. Bee-deep. Bee-deep.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

My first thought was like Herc's -- a gun and a flashlight, so you can see what you're shooting.

Seriously, though. It would be best to have some sort of weapon, even if it's just a baseball bat. I did some searching online and I've seen two recommend that.

This is from the British Columbia SPCA:

What to do if a coyote approaches?

In general a wild coyote will not approach people. However, habituated coyotes in search of food may approach people. If a coyote approaches you must act aggressively. This is the opposite of dog encounter. Teach children to not act like prey (a rabbit) but to act large and ferocious (like a lion). Follow these steps:

1. Scare the coyote! Stand up tall and make yourself big by waving your arms above your head. Stamp your feet.
2. If you can grab a stick, broom or other object, thrust it toward the coyote. Wave a backpack or umbrella.
3. Shout at the coyote to go away.
4. If the coyote continues to approach you, seek safety in a public building. Don't turn your back on the coyote.
5. Report habituated coyotes to authorities - SPCA, City Pounds, Wildlife Conservation, or the Police.
6. Put up warning signs in your neighbourhood if you see a coyote.
7. If you see someone attempting to befriend or feed a coyote intervene

and this is from newportbay.org

To date, there is limited data on coyote incidents in Orange County. A study done in 2003 by UC reported that, on a statewide basis, there were 281 pet incidents and 48 human confrontations. As a percent of the State’s total population, these numbers are minute. Nevertheless, caution is always warranted. With that in mind, experts recommend the following steps:

* Fence pet and animal enclosures completely, if possible include a top.

* Keep cats and small dogs indoors. When walking small dogs, always keep them on a leash.

* Coyotes are most active dusk to dawn. Avoid walking pets after dark.

* Bring along pepper spray or a stick in case a coyote gets aggressive. Screaming or yelling and waving arms sometimes won't work on coyotes that have lost their fear of humans.

* Any pet smaller than 45 pounds should never be left outside past 4 p.m.

* Feed pets indoors. Eliminate potential food and water sources such as fallen fruit or vegetables and standing water.

* Store trash in covered, heavy-duty containers.

* Keep yards free of potential hiding places. Remove thick brush and weeds. Enclose the bottoms of porches and decks.

* If you encounter a coyote that behaves aggressively, you have probably gotten too close to its prey or its family. Try to scare the coyote by yelling and waving your arms. Throw rocks, sticks or other objects. Do not turn away and run.

* Do not feed coyotes. Doing so can make them less afraid of humans and potentially more dangerous.

There haven't been any reports of coyotes in our area (Richmond VA suburbs), but I keep a long piece of conduit outside the back door to use in case. I also have a samurai sword with a sharpened blade just inside the door that I can take with me. If I had a gun and there were coyote sightings, I'd be taking that with me also.

I don't know what the law says about killing a coyote in this state, but I don't care. I won't if I can avoid it, but if it comes down to it and I have to do so to protect my dogs and myself, I will.

 

[Hercules10]

Well, we don't live on a farm...just a normal subdivision in a city, so even if I had a gun (which I don't) it would be against the law to shoot it at the animal. Anything else maybe?

Not sure about your town, but most cities do allow you to discharge a firearm within the city limits when your defending yourself or your property. I could definately argue that a wild coyote could be coming after me as much as my pets.

A shotgun with birdshot probably wouldn't even kill it, but sting its hide real good (unless it's point-blank range). And if your still concerned then I'd suggest a revolver (.38) with shot-shells. Basically a mini-shotgun.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Another site I read while searching (sorry, I didn't keep the link, but I'll see if I can find it) suggested that killing a coyote will only attract more seeking to move into the dead coyotes territory.

From what I've read so far, especially the quotes above, fear is the big factor -- basically, who is more scared, you or the coyote? You show fear, the coyote will attack; you stand you ground and make a motion like an attack, the coyote will be scared and run.

 

[DebºoºS]

It's scary. I wish I had some real advice for you. Last week we heard coyotes howling from the woods across the street every night. It was so loud I could hear them from inside my house. I put on all the lights outside. When it was time to let Einstein out I kept him on a lead and made a lot of noise.

Remember The Parent Trap? Banging pots and whistling kept the bears away from the fiance. Must be desperate using advice gleened from an old movie. Especially when it was a prank they were pulling.

Coyotes ...What a nice family.They left the light on for us and they're calling us over to eat their dog.

 

[Jennasis]

HAHAHAHAaaaa...this reminds me of when I first moved to my farm here in NC. I was a city girl from LI, NY and had never seena live coyote outside of a zoo. Well one night I hear them howling...LOUD and close by. So I start panicking, round up all of my barn cats and throw them in my barn's office. Then I call DH in the house and tell him to get "the gun". He comes running out of the house with "the gun" (a WWII rifle my grandfather left to us), and shouts "what do I do??" Not knowing where the actual coyote is in relation to us in the dark I shout "just fire in the air and scare it away!" So DDH aims the rifle up and fires...but the bullt jams in the chamber! It really was like watching Elmer Fudd trying to shoot at Bugs Bunny.

Long story short, we had to hire a guy to unjam the bullet so we didn't get hurt. Since then we've learned that coyotes are part of our world out here. We have lots of outdoor night lighting and motion lights and that has kept them from venturing onto our property...but they still get mighty close.

I would say you would be in big trouble using a firearm in the area you describe. You should check with your county police department to find out what the rules are in your area for discharging a fire arm. And if it's ok, get some training first before you go Elmer Fudd style.

Best way to stop a coyote is to stomp your foot and yell at it. They are ridiculously wussy.

 

[babynurse1]

We live in the country. One night after our Lab had a litter of puppies (we were keeping her and the puppies in the garage) I let her out to do her business and ran inside to answer the phone.

I heard dh pull up in his truck and then take off again. I wondered what was happening. He said 4 coyotes had surrounded our lab and he ran them off with the truck. I cant believe they showed up so quickly after I had just went inside.

Coyotes are generally pretty easily scared. So I think the best thing to do is to take flashlights and make noise when you let your dog out. Unless they're rabid, they wouldn't generally attack with so much commotion going on. I wouldn't leave her alone out there at night. Coyotes are usually active at night and sleep during the day.

We hear them every night, but they've never bothered us since. I think it had to do with the puppies being born that night.....

 

[Nickimouse]

I wonder if a hard blast of water from the hose would scare one away?

 

[grlpwrd]

HAHAHAHAaaaa...this reminds me of when I first moved to my farm here in NC. I was a city girl from LI, NY and had never seena live coyote outside of a zoo. Well one night I hear them howling...LOUD and close by. So I start panicking, round up all of my barn cats and throw them in my barn's office. Then I call DH in the house and tell him to get "the gun". He comes running out of the house with "the gun" (a WWII rifle my grandfather left to us), and shouts "what do I do??" Not knowing where the actual coyote is in relation to us in the dark I shout "just fire in the air and scare it away!" So DDH aims the rifle up and fires...but the bullt jams in the chamber! It really was like watching Elmer Fudd trying to shoot at Bugs Bunny.

Long story short, we had to hire a guy to unjam the bullet so we didn't get hurt. Since then we've learned that coyotes are part of our world out here. We have lots of outdoor night lighting and motion lights and that has kept them from venturing onto our property...but they still get mighty close.

I would say you would be in big trouble using a firearm in the area you describe. You should check with your county police department to find out what the rules are in your area for discharging a fire arm. And if it's ok, get some training first before you go Elmer Fudd style.

Best way to stop a coyote is to stomp your foot and yell at it. They are ridiculously wussy.

Sorry, but Elmer Fudd...

I agree with you.... that coyotes are just part of our world. The more we encroach on the environment of wild animals, the less territory they have to be free.

 

[aynt79]

Do you have a good light source in your backyard? If not, that can be your weekend project, it isn't that hard to put up a light.

Do not let the dog go out by itself, unleashed.

If you don't want to get a "real" gun, get a BB gun. I think they probably still sell them at WalMart, and the only regulation you need to buy one is to be of age. It definately won't kill the coyote, but the sound might scare it away.

Have you or any of your neighbors called the city to see if they are doing anything? My mom had an issue with coyotes a few years ago. Where she lives, people can hunt the coyote (they can get money for the pelts, though not that much). She had one person come and wait for them over a few different nights, but they never got one. She is in a rural area, outside city limits, though.