Article Contributed on: 6/26/2009 1:29:58 PM
Coyote breeding season is from January to early March with a gestation period of about 60-63 days. Pups will stay in a natal den for 8-10 weeks and start emerging in mid-to late June. If you have a den on your property please destroy the structure once the pups are out, usually in mid-July. Coyotes will use the same natal den from year to year if it is available.
During the summer months the adult coyotes teach their young how to survive, where to hunt, and more importantly what to hunt. Coyotes will be more active during the summer months increasing the amount of sightings and encounters. This time is crucial to remove all food sources from your yard, place deterrents, and haze (re-instill the natural fear of humans into the coyotes).
Coyotes are watching and learning from us. We influence their behavior, and it is our actions that determine what the young coyotes learn. We want the new generation of coyotes to be naturally afraid of humans and not find our neighborhoods or back yards to be a safe place to live.
Coyotes are adaptable predators and are common in urban areas. They are tolerant of human activities, and adapt and adjust rapidly to changes in their environment. The biggest problem arises when people feed coyotes -- either deliberately or inadvertently. Feeding can cause any wild animal to lose its natural wariness of people and can lead to unpredictable and aggressive behavior. If you are aware of individuals feeding coyotes, please ask them to stop, or report it to the DOW office at (303) 291-7227 so they can follow-up.
Reduce the REASON that coyotes are in your yard by removing things that attract them:
• Food - Never, ever feed coyotes! Report neighbors that are feeding coyotes, either intentionally or unintentionally, must be reported to the Colorado Division of Wildlife at 303.291.7227.
• Remove all food and water sources from your yard. This includes pet feed, swimming pools, birdbaths, fallen fruit, barbecue grills and trash.
• All trash should be in trash containers and all trash containers should be stored indoors/garage with secure lids and should not be placed on the curb until the morning of scheduled pickup.
• Keep cats indoors. Pets should be supervised when outside and should only be left unattended when they are secured in a kennel with a covered top.
• Trim up vegetation and tall grass in the yard, remove brush and rubbish piles to eliminate the places where small rodents live since coyotes prey on small rodents. Trimming bushes up from the ground by 2ft. if possible (bonsai cut) removes places where coyotes sleep.
• Avoid using bird feeders - seeds and empty hulls that have fallen on the ground attract coyotes. Bird feeders also increase the number of small animals that are food sources for the coyotes.
• Secure livestock and all poultry with fencing apron buried underground and in facilities with a secured top.
• Completely enclose gardens and compost piles.
• Enclose open spaces under porches, decks and sheds with welded wire that is buried at least 18 inches.
The following items may help repel or deter coyotes away from your yard. Some of these items are liquids that are released through squirt bottles or poured on rags and placed in the area of the yard most safe for domestic animals and children but will deter coyotes. The following are suggestions.
• Skunk odor, wolf or mountain lion urine
• Cologne or perfume - strong scents
• Ammonia soaked rags
• Radios
• Motion detector activated strobe lights, sirens, blinking holiday lights, sprinkler system
• Electronic Guard EG consists of strobe light and siren run by a timer
• Odor deterrents (cayenne pepper, vinegar in super soaker or balloons)
• Dog feces
• Six foot fence or higher (with a buried apron, approximately 18 inches deep) with additional rollers if approved by the City and applicable homeowner association.
• Completely enclosed dog runs including a covered top
• Close all dog doors at night to exclude coyotes, and other wildlife, from your house.
Coyote Hazing
Hazing efforts will be less effective if coyote attractants are not removed or excluded from residential neighborhoods. Coyotes will continue to come into your yard if there is a reason, e.g. food, water, shelter.
Share this information with neighbors; friends and your homeowner's association since hazing efforts are most effective when the entire neighborhood is working together. If you are removing attractants and hazing coyotes from your property, but your neighbor is attracting coyotes, your efforts will be futile. The below items are most effective if multiple and various techniques are employed.
• Spray with garden hose
• Wave arms and yell in an authoritative voice
• Bang pots and pans
• Throw rocks, sticks, tennis balls and any non-edible items toward the coyote. Never corner a coyote in an area of the yard where there is no escape for the coyote.
• Coyote Can Shaker - soda can with pennies wrapped in aluminum foil sealed with duct tape. Shake to make noise or throw toward the coyote.
• Air horn or whistles
• Bear Spray or Citronella (bug) spray - be careful of the wind direction - you could receive the spray in your face if not careful. NEVER get close to a coyote just to use the spray.
• Motion detection yard lights
Protecting Pets
• See all above recommendations for additional ideas
• Always keep cats indoors
• Leash pets with a 6 foot leash while walking them
• Keep pets inside at night
• Small dogs should never be left unattended in the yard
For additional information visit www.centennialcolorado.com and Animal Services under the City Service button at the top of the page.