Keeping Coyotes out of the Neighborhood

Food is the biggest incentive for coyotes to come to neighborhoods and around houses.   Coyotes are hunting all night, but they are especially active at sunrise and sunset. 

Here are steps you and your family can take:

• don't feed dogs, cats or birds outdoors in a manner that coyotes can eat leftovers.  If you must feed your animals outside, take the food away when they stop eating.  For birds, coyotes aren't usually interested in seed hushs, but will eat whole seeds if they are not suspended off the ground  
• discourage adults and children from give coyotes "treats" on the trail to get them to come closer.  Coyotes are wild dogs and can appear approachable
• Make sure your compost piles are protected from coyotes, and don't put any meat scraps, juice or gravy there.  When a vegetable might be tasty for coyotes, I sprinkle it with a heavy dose of coffee grounds
• discourage adults and children from leaving leftover lunches and snacks on the trail
• make sure small animals and chickens are in coyote-proof fencing (with top fencing) if they must be outside 
• barn cats need escape routes to rooftops and protective zones like sheds and garages with special openings whenever possible.  Most of our barn cats are great tree climbers

Thanks to the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife