Coyotes

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Access to human provided food can habituate coyotes to people. Discuss this point with your neighbors if you think coyotes are being accidentally or purposely fed in your area.
• Seeing a coyote around homes, including during daytime, is normal. If you see a coyote, haze it by yelling, clapping, and stomping your feet. A coyote that maintains a fear of humans will be less likely to cause conflicts.

Around home

• Ensure pet food, bird food, and food compost are not accessible to coyotes. Feed and water pets indoors when possible.
• Secure garbage and outdoor compost in animal-proof receptacles.
• Clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Remove brush piles and thick vegetation that can provide shelter for rodents, which are the primary food source for coyotes.
• Sturdy fencing at least 6 feet tall and buried several inches into the ground can help deter coyotes from entering yards.
• Check your home and other structures for holes that rodents may use for access. Reducing rodent activity can reduce coyote presence.
• Secure fence gates, garage doors, and similar locations where coyotes may venture into your property.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as lights and noise makers, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.

Pets and livestock

• Keep small dogs and cats indoors or closely supervised, particularly during dawn and dusk.
• Coyotes may be defensive if cornered. Be aware that some dogs may instinctively chase coyotes. Keep dogs leashed or enclosed with at least 6 foot fencing, potentially with a roller device at the top.
• Secure poultry and other small livestock in predator-resistant enclosures, particularly at night.
• Free-ranging poultry can be especially susceptible to coyotes.
• Keep livestock feed stored securely to avoid attracting rodents or coyotes.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating food attractants and reducing shelter around your home are the best ways to minimize coyotes frequenting your property.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as motion-activated lights or sprinklers, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• A bold coyote is not necessarily an aggressive coyote. Seeing a coyote during daytime is normal. A coyote that maintains a fear of humans will be less likely to cause conflicts
• If a coyote follows you, do not panic. You are likely on the same path it follows through its territory. Simply move away from the path and monitor the coyote.
• If a coyote approaches you, make yourself as large as possible and make loud noises while waving your hands and stomping your feet. Walk away facing the coyote, do not run. If children are with you, place yourself between them and the coyote.
• In the rare case a coyote becomes aggressive, such as snapping, growling or snarling, throw objects that can deter it. Report aggressive behavior to the DNR RAP Line: 800-292-7800.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of coyotes other than for permitted research.
• If you found an injured coyote or a coyote pup that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• A coyote may be lethally removed using a legal weapon or trap on private property year-round by property owners or their designees without a permit if doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.
• If hunting or trapping is allowed in your area, coyotes can be lethally removed during the regulated season provided a valid hunting or trapping license.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in hunting or trapping coyotes, if allowed in your area.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Access to human provided food, such as bird food and pet food, can attract coyotes and rodents they prey on. This can habituate coyotes to people. Discuss this issue with constituents if you think coyotes are being accidentally or purposely fed in your community.
• Seeing a coyote around populated areas, including during daytime, is normal. Educate residents about hazing coyotes by yelling, clapping and stomping their feet. A coyote that maintains a fear of humans will be less likely to cause conflicts.

Your community

• Implement ordinances and enforcement that restrict public feeding of coyotes and other wildlife.
• Encourage residents to put garbage out the morning of pickup rather than the night before.
• Consider working with waste management providers to integrate animal-proof trash receptacles.
• Install fencing at least 6 feet high where appropriate to limit coyote access to residences and other sensitive areas. Installing rollers at the top of fences can help impede coyotes from scaling overtop fences.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as lights and noise makers, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding coyotes and other wildlife that may cause problems.
• The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has an excellent guide to understanding and managing coyotes in urban environments.

Public spaces

• Ensure that grills are cleaned and food waste in parks is disposed of properly.
• Provide signage reminding park users not to feed wildlife, including how it can lead to habituated coyotes.
• Removing brush piles and thick vegetation where coyotes can find food and shelter in parks and other public use areas.
• Check municipal buildings for holes that rodents may use for access, thereby reducing attractive food for coyotes.
• Eliminate or secure abandoned structures that may shelter coyotes and rodents.
• Secure fence gates, garage doors and similar locations where coyotes may venture into municipal buildings.

Pets and livestock

• Encourage residents to supervise small pets outdoors and keep dogs leashed in parks where coyotes are present.
• Educate residents with poultry or small livestock about housing animals in secure, predator-resistant enclosures.
• Free-ranging poultry can be especially susceptible to coyotes.
• Keep pet and livestock food secure to reduce rodent and coyote access.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• A bold coyote is not necessarily an aggressive coyote. Seeing a coyote during daytime is normal. A coyote that maintains a fear of humans will be less likely to cause conflicts. Haze coyotes by yelling, clapping and stomping your feet.
• Eliminating food attractants and reducing shelter around homes and businesses are the best ways to reduce attracting and habituating coyotes.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as motion-activated lights or sprinklers, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• In the rare case a coyote becomes aggressive, such as snapping, growling or snarling, throw objects that can deter it. Report aggressive behavior to the DNR RAP Line: 800-292-7800.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of coyotes other than for permitted research.
• If someone finds an injured coyote or a coyote pup that they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• If your jurisdiction allows hunting or trapping, a coyote may be lethally removed using a legal weapon or trap on private property year-round by property owners or their designees without a written permit if doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.
• If hunting or trapping is allowed in your area, coyotes can be lethally removed during the regulated season provided a valid hunting or trapping license.
• If your jurisdiction does not allow hunting or trapping, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• If interested in implementing a hunting or trapping program in your jurisdiction, contact your local DNR Wildlife Division office for guidance.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in hunting or trapping coyotes, if allowed in your area.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Access to human provided food, such as bird food and pet food, can attract coyotes and rodents they prey on. This can habituate coyotes to people. Discuss this issue with surrounding businesses and residents if you think coyotes are being accidentally or purposely fed in your area.
• Seeing a coyote around populated areas, including during daytime, is normal. Educate staff and students about hazing coyotes by yelling, clapping and stomping their feet. A coyote that maintains a fear of humans will be less likely to cause conflicts.

Grounds

• Ensure outdoor courtyards and recreation areas are clear of food sources like cafeteria waste. Secure outdoor trash in animal-proof receptacles.
• Clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Ensure maintenance staff checks for holes that rodents may use for access, thereby reducing attractive food for coyotes.
• Maintain landscaping to reduce hiding cover for rodents and coyotes.
• Secure fence gates, garage doors and similar locations where coyotes may venture near or into buildings.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as lights and noise makers, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has an excellent guide to understanding and managing coyotes in urban environments.

Pets and livestock

• If therapy or resident pets are present, ensure they are supervised outdoors, particularly during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active.
• Free-ranging poultry can be especially susceptible to coyotes.
• Keep animals leashed or within secure fencing.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• A bold coyote is not necessarily an aggressive coyote. Seeing a coyote during daytime is normal. A coyote that maintains a fear of humans will be less likely to cause conflicts. Haze coyotes by yelling, clapping and stomping your feet.
• Eliminating food attractants and reducing shelter around homes and businesses are the best ways to reduce attracting and habituating coyotes.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as motion-activated lights or sprinklers, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• In the rare case a coyote becomes aggressive, such as snapping, growling or snarling, throw objects that can deter it. Report aggressive behavior to the DNR RAP Line: 800-292-7800.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of coyotes other than for permitted research.
• If someone finds an injured coyote or a coyote pup that they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• A coyote may be lethally removed using a legal weapon or trap on private property year-round by property owners or their designees without a written permit if doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.
• If hunting or trapping is allowed in your area, coyotes can be lethally removed during the regulated season provided a valid hunting or trapping license.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in hunting or trapping coyotes, if allowed in your area.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Access to human provided food can habituate coyotes to people. Discuss this point with your neighbors if you think coyotes are being accidentally or purposely fed in your area.
• Seeing a coyote around homes, including during daytime, is normal. If you see a coyote, haze it by yelling, clapping and stomping your feet. A coyote that maintains a fear of humans will be less likely to cause conflicts.

Your farm or orchard

• Secure pet food and pelleted livestock food to minimize coyote access. Feed and water pets indoors when possible.
• Secure garbage and outdoor compost in animal-proof receptacles.
• Carcasses or afterbirth from livestock operations should be promptly removed. Carcasses should be composted or buried in accordance with MDARD regulations.
• Minimize rodent access to outbuildings and livestock shelters to discourage coyotes from being attracted to the rodents.
• Guard animals, such as livestock guardian dogs, may help protect flocks or herds when properly managed.
• Use sturdy fencing at least 6 feet tall; adding a buried apron fence and top roller may increase effectiveness.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as motion-activated lights or sprinklers, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.

Pets and livestock

• Secure poultry and small livestock in predator-resistant structures at night.
• Free-ranging poultry can be especially susceptible to coyotes.
• Keep young livestock close to buildings or within secure fencing.
• Keep small pets supervised outdoors when possible, particularly during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active.

Solve a problem

Livestock depredation

• Coyote predation may leave carcasses with bite marks around the throat, neck, or head. Coyotes will not consume ribs or large bones of full-grown livestock because of a lack of jaw power.
• Evidence such as tracks, scat, and carcass condition can help identify if a coyote caused the depredation.
• Livestock depredations should be reported to your local DNR Wildlife Division office immediately upon discovery. A biologist will contact you to discuss the evidence.

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating coyote access to food and shelter around the farm is the best long-term strategy.
• Protection animals, such as donkeys and Great Pyrenees dogs, can be beneficial. Maximize success by ensuring protection animals are trained to stay with livestock or within the orchard, rather than trained as a pet.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as motion-activated lights or sprinklers, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of coyotes other than for permitted research.
• If you found an injured coyote or a coyote pup that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• A coyote may be lethally removed using a legal weapon or trap on private property year-round by property owners or their designees without a written permit if doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.
• If hunting or trapping is allowed in your area, coyotes can be lethally removed during the regulated season provided a valid hunting or trapping license.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in hunting or trapping coyotes, if allowed in your area.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Access to human provided food can habituate coyotes to people. Discuss this point with your neighbors if you think coyotes are being accidentally or purposely fed in your area.

Around buildings

• Ensure outdoor courtyards and recreation areas are clear of food sources like cafeteria waste. Secure outdoor trash in animal-proof receptacles.
• Maintain clear areas around buildings by mowing vegetation and removing brush.
• Ensure maintenance staff checks for holes that rodents may use for access, thereby reducing attractive food for coyotes.
• Secure fence gates, garage doors and similar locations where coyotes may venture near or into buildings.

Airfields

• Maintain short vegetation across airfields to limit rodent populations.
• Remove debris or features like brush piles that can shelter coyotes.
• The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has an excellent guide to understanding and managing coyotes in urban environments.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Reducing food and shelter on the airfield is the most effective long-term strategy to minimize coyote presence.
• Various coyote deterrents, such as lights and noise makers, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of coyotes other than for permitted research.
• If you found an injured coyote or a coyote pup that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• If a coyote is causing a public safety issue at an airport, a DNR Wildlife Division regional supervisor or district law enforcement supervisor or their designee can issue a removal permit without investigation.
• If hunting or trapping is allowed on airport property, coyotes can be removed with legal hunting or trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid hunting or trapping license.
• For coyote issues other than public safety, contact a nuisance animal control company or USDA Wildlife Services (517-336-1928).