Coyote hanging around

[lilnuggets]

Anyone have suggestions on how to keep coyotes away?

We have a rather large coyote that seems to thinks it's a dog and hangs out sun bathing in my Neighbors yard. It walks down the road jumps my first Neighbors fence who has a pit bull which coyote doesn't seem to care about the dog and the dog leaves the coyote alone then jumps I'm to my other neighbors yard to lay around for a few hours. Ive seen it around for a few months but it went from every few weeks to almost every day.My chickens and ducks free range all day. I am worried that the coyote will eventually end up in my yard. So far it hasn't bothered we have 3 dogs (all heelers) that it is terrified of and it takes of anytime it sees them or they start barking.

Any suggestions to make it go away? I'm not sure why it's hanging around.

 

[True Patriot]

It most likely has a den nearby. The dogs are a good way of keeping it at a distance. If your relationship with the neighbors and the local laws allow, I would suggest dispatching it. It has found a potential food source and it's only a matter of time before it gets hungry enough to try getting in. If that isn't possible you may need to change your habits with the flocks. They may need a secure run. What type of fence is around the yard. You could possibly add some strands of electric depending on how the neighbors accept the idea and no children would be exposed. Photos of the area may get more suggestions on how to better secure it.

 

[townchicks]

Strange that it is hanging around in your neighbors yards like that. I'm thinking that one or both of your neighbors are feeding it, intentionally or inadvertently. I would speak to the neighbors, ask them if they are leaving dog food or garbage out where the coyote can find it. Explain your concerns about your birds. Since it has demonstrated fear of your dogs, I'd walk them around the neighborhood, letting them pee everywhere. If it thinks their "territory" is expanding, it may decide to leave.

 

[lilnuggets]

It most likely has a den nearby. The dogs are a good way of keeping it at a distance. If your relationship with the neighbors and the local laws allow, I would suggest dispatching it. It has found a potential food source and it's only a matter of time before it gets hungry enough to try getting in. If that isn't possible you may need to change your habits with the flocks. They may need a secure run. What type of fence is around the yard. You could possibly add some strands of electric depending on how the neighbors accept the idea and no children would be exposed. Photos of the area may get more suggestions on how to better secure it.

We currently have a welded wire fence around the yard. We are actually in the middle of upgrading it to a higher fence that will have electric fencing on the top foot. Currently only 2 sides are 5 feet tall welded wire (will be 6 feet tall with the electric wiring when done) the other 2 sides are welded wire as well but only 3 feet tall. The fencing should be completed with electric before winter. The chickens and ducks each have their enclosed run so I can lock them up. But they just started free ranging and seem so much happier. I hate to lock them up but I also don't want them to become a snack for the coyote.

I will check on what the law allows. My neighbor has said if he catches it in his yard again he will dispatch it...just not sure if it's legal. The yard it hangs out in has no pets/animals outside so I think that's why it likes it there. We live in a rural area that has a acre+ lots but had a lot of lots with abandoned tailers/manufacturer homes so I'm wondering if it's living in/under one.

 

[lilnuggets]

Strange that it is hanging around in your neighbors yards like that. I'm thinking that one or both of your neighbors are feeding it, intentionally or inadvertently. I would speak to the neighbors, ask them if they are leaving dog food or garbage out where the coyote can find it. Explain your concerns about your birds. Since it has demonstrated fear of your dogs, I'd walk them around the neighborhood, letting them pee everywhere. If it thinks their "territory" is expanding, it may decide to leave.

I will ask about the garbage being left out/ not secured. We don't have trash service out here so most people keep their trash in a trailer and haul it to the dump once a month. I didn't even think of that! We keep ours in cans but I know others don't.

 

[lilnuggets]

Does anyone know if animal control will do anything for a coyote if it doesn't appear to have rabies?

 

[PirateGirl]

I also live with "neighborhood" coyotes, though your current situation sounds pretty bad. I feel that once they start to get bold and accepting of people and comings and goings, they only grow more used to people (and domestic dogs) over time. I would not assume your flock is safe and I would not assume your dogs are safe. It's a tricky situation, but definitely partner with your neighbors, you just don't want the coyotes to feel too comfortable and hopefully they will move on in search of a better food source. Talking with others about trash management is a good step. I go out of my way to try and intimidate coyotes when I see them in the neighborhood, honk your car horn, invest in an air horn you can blast at them, yell at them every time you see them, convince your neighbors to do the same if you can. I know that shooting a coyote is not always a viable option, but maybe a pellet gun or paintball gun would help with the hazing. I periodically walk the area with a shovel and fill in holes. I admit I do not know if this helps, but it's easy to do, and in theory if I disturb the den site or hunting site enough perhaps the coyotes will think it's not a safe spot to return to. This time of year deer and elk are going into rut, hunting season has begun many places, and the animals are all on the move. We had the coyotes move back in about 2 weeks ago now (had to stop for 3 of the crossing the street on my way home 2 nights ago), but hopefully they move on again. Good luck. The visits here seem to come in waves and I hope yours don't get too comfortable and keep passing through. It's not the time of year they typically have pups so they shouldn't be too stationary.

 

[PirateGirl]

Does anyone know if animal control will do anything for a coyote if it doesn't appear to have rabies?

It depends the land and the jurisdiction and if it's actually causing problems. You can report it. The worst that happens is they don't do a thing. I would call the local sheriff and/or DOW and they should be able to guide you. They may even have some tips for coyote "hazing."

 

[lilnuggets]

I also live with "neighborhood" coyotes, though your current situation sounds pretty bad. I feel that once they start to get bold and accepting of people and comings and goings, they only grow more used to people (and domestic dogs) over time. I would not assume your flock is safe and I would not assume your dogs are safe. It's a tricky situation, but definitely partner with your neighbors, you just don't want the coyotes to feel too comfortable and hopefully they will move on in search of a better food source. Talking with others about trash management is a good step. I go out of my way to try and intimidate coyotes when I see them in the neighborhood, honk your car horn, invest in an air horn you can blast at them, yell at them every time you see them, convince your neighbors to do the same if you can. I know that shooting a coyote is not always a viable option, but maybe a pellet gun or paintball gun would help with the hazing. I periodically walk the area with a shovel and fill in holes. I admit I do not know if this helps, but it's easy to do, and in theory if I disturb the den site or hunting site enough perhaps the coyotes will think it's not a safe spot to return to. This time of year deer and elk are going into rut, hunting season has begun many places, and the animals are all on the move. We had the coyotes move back in about 2 weeks ago now (had to stop for 3 of the crossing the street on my way home 2 nights ago), but hopefully they move on again. Good luck. The visits here seem to come in waves and I hope yours don't get too comfortable and keep passing through. It's not the time of year they typically have pups so they shouldn't be too stationary.

We live with a few miles of a huge chunk of state land so it's normal to see the occasional coyote or javelina. It's just strange that he is hanging around. How to do you identify or find a coyote den? I've never had to look for one before and if I do manage to find it is there anything I can do other than fill it in to get them to leave? I haven't see any other coyotes just the one so far definitely don't want more showing up lol

 

[lilnuggets]

I know my husband would dispatch it if it's legal and comes in our yard but what do you do with it after is dead? We don't have anywhere to bury it.