The City of Austin Coyote Management
With recent coyote activity in the neighborhood, please read the information below on how to respond to activity. There is possibly a coyote pup with mange in the area. Residents have witnessed a smaller coyote with hair loss active in the neighborhood. Mange is a skin disease caused by mites burrowing under the skin. This can be treated in dogs or cats, but it is very difficult to treat wild animals. With that being said, mange will eventually lead to death. Sometimes sick coyotes will chose a safe place to pass and this might be your yard or a park. Please report any concerning behavior to 311 so we can properly monitor the behavior and activity. Coyotes who have mange will look for the easiest food, such as food found in trash, compost, nuts, fruit from trees, cat/dog food, and other easy food opportunities. With any coyote activity in the area, it is important to practice the best pet safety actions with cats and dogs. Please read information below regarding coyote ecology, hazing, pet safety, and attractants.
Coyote Denning Season
During time of the year, coyotes may be more active as they raise pups. In November, the pups will be pushed out of the den. Coyotes are typically most active at dawn and dusk, though they may be seen hunting or traveling during daytime hours. We want to share space with coyotes, but not time. Hazingis a process that helps shape coyote behavior and encourages coyotes to avoid contact with people and pets. It reinforces coyotes’ natural wariness without harming them. Please visit our website to learn more about hazing tools: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/coyotes-central-texas. Below are considerations regarding hazing and pet safety and coyotes:
Hazing is a process that helps shape coyote behavior and encourages coyotes to avoid contact with people and pets. It reinforces coyotes’ natural wariness without harming them. The more an individual coyote is hazed using a variety of tools and techniques by a variety of people, the more effective it will be for the entire community. Hazing should be exaggerated, assertive and consistent. It is a common technique used in communities around the country.
- Make eye contact, yell and wave your arms. You want the coyote to know the behavior is directed at it. Waving your arms will make you seem bigger.
- Use noisemakers such as whistles, air horns, a “shaker” can full of small rocks (or something similar), or bang something like pots and pans together.
- If the coyote does not leave immediately, throw non-edible objects near it. You can use something like small rocks, sticks or tennis balls. Remember, the goal is not to hurt the coyote, you’re trying to get it to leave and associate humans with unpredictable, “scary” behavior.
- Spray the coyote with a water hose, water guns or spray bottles. You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar, pepper spray or bear repellant.
- If the coyote does not leave after escalating hazing efforts, maintain eye contact and back away slowly. Notify 311 immediately.
- Don’t haze if a coyote appears sick or injured, is cornered or displaying acceptable coyote behavior. Please call 311 to report sick or injured animals. For more information please visit http://www.austintexas.gov/department/coyotes-central-texas
Pet safety: Keep small pets inside when possible and monitor them while outside. While walking dogs, use a secure, 4-6 foot leash and do not let dogs explore vegetation that you can’t see through. It is advised that pets be fed indoors. If pets must be fed outdoors, feed during the daytime and remove food as soon as your pet is finished.
Reliable Food Sources: To keep coyotes and other wildlife wild, we can follow a few, simple preventative measures:
- Always keep trash and compost in a secure bin
- Keep your barbecue grill clean
- Keep the area under your fruit and nut trees free of droppings (a coyote’s diet can be up to 40% fruit in Texas)
- Avoid feeding pets outdoors (if you must feed pets outside, feed during the daytime and remove the uneaten food as soon as the animal has finished).
- Feeding wildlife and feral cats can attract coyotes. In addition to coyotes eating the food, mice and other animals will be drawn to leftovers, which can subsequently attract predators such as foxes and coyotes.