top of page

Coyote

Coyotes are highly adaptable wild canines found throughout Western New York, including suburban and residential areas. As development expands into natural habitats, encounters between coyotes and people have become more common. In wildlife control, coyote concerns usually involve sightings near homes, attacks on pets or livestock, or animals denning close to residential properties. While coyotes typically avoid humans, they can become bold if they find easy food sources or lose their natural fear of people.

When to Call a Professional

If coyotes are repeatedly seen near your home, behaving boldly, or threatening pets or livestock, professional assistance is recommended. A wildlife specialist can evaluate the situation, determine risk level, and implement safe, effective solutions tailored to your property and local regulations.

Identification
Tips

Coyotes are often mistaken for dogs, but they can be identified by:

  • Slender body with long legs

  • Narrow snout and upright pointed ears

  • Gray, tan, or reddish fur with lighter underparts

  • Bushy tail usually held low when walking

They are most active at dawn and dusk but may be seen at any time of day, especially in quiet neighborhoods.

Biology and Life Cycle

  • Average lifespan: 6–10 years in the wild

  • Breeding season: Late winter

  • Gestation period: About 60 days

  • Young: Typically 4–7 pups

  • Coyotes establish dens in wooded areas, brush piles, embankments, or occasionally under structures if suitable shelter is available. During pup season, adults become more protective of den sites.

Behavior and Habits

Coyotes are:

  • Intelligent and highly adaptable

  • Opportunistic feeders that eat rodents, rabbits, fruit, and carrion

  • Usually solitary or traveling in small family groups

  • Naturally cautious but capable of becoming habituated to humans

If coyotes begin associating neighborhoods with food, they may return repeatedly and become more visible.

Signs of Coyote Activity

Signs that coyotes may be active nearby include:

  • Tracks resembling a dog’s but more narrow and straight-lined

  • Howling or yipping sounds, especially at night

  • Scat containing fur, bones, or seeds

  • Missing outdoor pets or disturbed livestock areas

  • Sightings along tree lines, fields, or neighborhood edges

Risks and Health Concerns

Although attacks on humans are rare, coyotes can pose risks such as:

  • Predation on cats and small dogs

  • Threats to backyard poultry or livestock

  • Increased boldness when food sources are available

  • Defensive behavior near dens or pups

Coyotes that lose their fear of humans can become a safety concern and should be addressed promptly

Removal and Control Techniques

Coyote control focuses on deterrence, habitat management, and intervention when necessary:

  • Property inspections to identify attractants

  • Recommendations for securing pets, livestock, and food sources

  • Installation of exclusion fencing or deterrent systems

  • Humane trapping or removal when permitted by law

  • Coordination with local regulations for wildlife management

Because coyotes are intelligent and cautious, effective control requires strategy and experience.

Prevention Tips

Homeowners can reduce the chance of coyote problems by:

  • Keeping pets supervised outdoors

  • Securing garbage and compost bins

  • Removing fallen fruit or food sources

  • Installing secure fencing where appropriate

  • Avoiding intentional or accidental feeding of wildlife

Eliminating attractants is the most effective long-term solution.

bottom of page