Tips for living with coyotes
Coyotes have naturally expanded their range in North America and have adapted well to human-dominated habitats.
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are now present across nearly all of Washington state, from the shrubsteppe to the alpine, as well as many urban and suburban areas. They are common in many larger, wooded green spaces and parks within cities including Seattle and Spokane.
You can also check out this Seattle Channel episode featuring WDFW and Wildlife Services biologists: “CityStream: Coexisting with Coyotes in Seattle”.
You may hear coyotes more frequently than you see them, especially when they have pups. Juvenile coyotes are often heard in summer, trying out their voices. Coyote sightings often increase in winter when they are more active, or in late-winter and spring when they may have dens and pups to care for.
Coyotes are most active at night and during the early-morning and evening hours. Their diet is diverse and adaptable to what’s around, including everything from rabbits and small rodents to garbage, birdseed, and fruit from trees.
Coyotes can also benefit humans and ecosystems by helping control populations of mice, rats, voles, moles, and rabbits.
Don’t feed coyotes
When people feed wildlife, whether accidentally or on purpose, it can increase the likelihood of human-wildlife conflict. Coyotes are known to take advantage of attractants such as garbage or pet food. Feeding prey species like birds or squirrels can also attract coyotes. These food rewards can cause coyotes to lose their natural fear of humans and become aggressive.
If there are coyotes in your area, you can minimize the risk of conflict by keeping cats inside, keeping dogs leashed, feeding pets indoors, avoiding early morning and late evening walks with your pet, and keeping an eye on children and pets.
Visit our coyote webpage or keep reading for tips to avoid conflicts with coyotes.
What to do if you encounter a coyote
If you encounter a coyote, don’t run away from it! Stand tall, make eye contact with the coyote, and shout at it. You also can throw something at it.
Make loud noises, wave sticks, squirt it with a hose, or otherwise “haze” the coyote if it approaches. This “humane hazing” can help re-establish the coyote’s natural fear of people.
If you’re walking a smaller dog, pick it up when a coyote is in the area. For larger dogs, pull them in close to you. Always maintain control of your pet.
During February through July, coyotes may stand ground and not haze as readily. This is pup season and coyotes will fiercely defend if near their dens. If coyotes don’t respond to hazing and appear increasingly agitated walk calmly away from the coyote, without turning your back to it. Maintain eye contact and your assertive stature.
Reporting coyote sightings in Washington state
Reports of coyotes in the city or suburban areas can be sent to community science programs such as Woodland Park Zoo’s carnivorespotter.org/urban-carnivore-spotter/. More info is available at zoo.org/seattlecarnivores. inaturalist.org/ is another popular site for reporting wildlife sightings.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) asks not to receive reports of coyotes going about their normal business, as this is a common species and we prioritize reports of species of greatest conservation need.
If residents witness a coyote attack on supervised pets (such as leashed dogs) or backyard chickens and other fowl, wildlife violation, or an injured or dangerous animal, we encourage them to report it to WDFW Police officers by calling 360–902–2936, emailing WILDCOMM@dfw.wa.gov, or by reporting online at: wdfw.wa.gov/about/enforcement/report.
In the event of an immediate public safety issue or attack on a person, call 911. If necessary, ask the dispatcher to connect you with Washington Fish and Wildlife Police.
Due to WDFW’s need to focus on fish and wildlife species of conservation concern, in most cases when coyote management is required in urban or suburban areas that management is contracted by the city, town or private landowners to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services: aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-state-offices.
Local or county animal services or a WDFW-certified Wildlife Control Operator may also be able to help. Refer to this webpage for more information and frequently asked questions.
Removing a coyote is typically not a long-term solution — if there’s food available, other coyotes will continue to show up. It’s nearly impossible to permanently eliminate coyotes in an area.
We can all do our part to keep wildlife wild. It is our responsibility to take simple precautions to help avoid conflicts that can put both people and wildlife at risk.
More information on living with coyotes is available at: wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/canis-latrans#conflict
