Coyotes howling in the distance can send shivers down your spine. But what if they’re not just passing through, and have taken up residence right in your own backyard? You want them gone, but can you legally shoot a coyote on your property? The answer is complex, with many factors to consider.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: In most cases, yes you can shoot a coyote in your yard if it poses an imminent threat to you, your family, or your pets. However, there are restrictions and regulations that vary by state, so check your local laws first.
Laws and Regulations on Shooting Coyotes
Federal Laws
At the federal level, coyotes are classified as nuisance animals and aren’t protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or the Endangered Species Act. This means there are no closed hunting seasons or bag limits on coyotes across the United States.
However, federal law does regulate methods for hunting coyotes:
- It is illegal to use poisons, chemicals, or explosives to kill coyotes.
- You cannot hunt coyotes from aircraft.
- Night hunting of coyotes is prohibited on federal lands, except with a permit.
So federal law gives fairly wide latitude to hunt coyotes, as long as you don’t use prohibited methods. State and local laws may be more restrictive, however.
State Laws and Seasons
Most states classify coyotes as either game animals, furbearers, or nuisance animals. The classification determines the regulations that apply during coyote hunting seasons.
- In states where coyotes are considered game animals, there are often established hunting seasons and bag limits.
- If coyotes are designated as furbearers, there may be seasons and rules related to trapping or selling coyote pelts.
- When coyotes are nuisance animals, there are usually no closed seasons or limits on taking coyotes.
So it’s important to check your state’s hunting regulations to understand the rules. For example, Colorado has no closed season for hunting coyotes. But Ohio allows coyote hunting only during daylight hours from January 1 through February 28.
States also have differing regulations on hunting methods, licensing requirements, and more.
Local Ordinances
Municipal or county laws may prohibit discharging firearms in populated areas. So even if your state allows coyote hunting, local ordinances may restrict shooting coyotes near homes, businesses, roads, etc. Some towns also restrict trapping and snaring within city limits.
As with state laws, be sure to research your local laws and regulations on coyote hunting and control. Get permission if hunting coyotes on private property. And always put safety first by following lawful shooting practices.
When Can You Legally Shoot a Coyote?
Self-Defense
Shooting a coyote in self-defense is legal in most states if the coyote poses an immediate threat to human life. If a coyote approaches in an aggressive manner, shows no fear of humans, or begins an unprovoked attack, shooting can legally be used as a defensive measure.
However, the threat must be imminent to justify the use of lethal force. If the coyote is simply wandering through the area without direct aggression, shooting it would likely be considered illegal hunting outside of designated seasons.
Protection of Livestock and Pets
Many states allow property owners to shoot coyotes if they are actively threatening livestock or pets. For example, catching a coyote in the act of attacking chickens, sheep, calves, or dogs on your land gives reasonable cause to use lethal control.
The attack must be in progress, as pre-emptively killing coyotes near livestock is usually prohibited without a special permit. Some municipalities require immediate reporting of coyote shootings to authorities like animal control or law enforcement.
Hunting Regulations
Outside of defending life or property, the majority of states have enacted hunting seasons that allow coyotes to be legally shot. Seasons usually last from fall through early spring, require hunting licenses, and may specify approved firearms and bag limits.
As opportunistic predators, the hunting of coyotes is less regulated compared to game animals like deer. However, rules still apply for safety reasons and to limit drastic population declines. Always check your state’s coyote hunting regulations annually as laws do frequently change.
According to wildlife surveys, over 430,000 coyotes are harvested country-wide each year. Population numbers remain stable despite this high hunting rate, indicating proper wildlife management through updated seasonal guidelines from local departments of natural resources.
How to Humanely Dispatch a Coyote
Choosing the Right Firearm and Ammunition
When it comes to humanely killing a coyote, using the right firearm and ammunition is key. Here are some tips:
- Use a centerfire rifle or shotgun loaded with expanding bullets or buckshot. This will provide enough stopping power for a clean, ethical kill. Popular choices include .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, 12 gauge, or 20 gauge shotguns.
- Avoid small caliber rimfire ammunition like .22 LR as it lacks adequate power and can wound rather than kill. The goal is to dispatch the coyote as quickly and humanely as possible.
- Choose expanding bullets designed for hunting medium game. These mushrooms upon impact to deliver hydrostatic shock for a humane kill. Popular options include soft point, hollow point, and Nosler Partition bullets.
- Shot placement is critical. Aim for the chest or shoulder area to damage vital organs and minimize pelt damage.
- Be aware of your surroundings and any hazards behind your target to avoid unintended damage.
Taking an Ethical Shot
Before taking a shot at a coyote, be sure you have a clear, ethical shot to dispatch it humanely.
- Get within 100 yards or less for the best chance of a clean kill. This prevents wounding the animal.
- Make sure no people, buildings, livestock or pets are downrange of your shot to avoid unintended damage.
- Coyotes often travel in pairs or packs. Be certain of your target and what’s behind it before firing.
- Take care not to shoot a nursing female who may have dependent pups. Use binoculars to inspect the animal first.
- Only take a broadside or quartering away shot that provides a clear path to the vitals.
- Be patient and don’t rush your shot. A wounded coyote can travel far and die slowly.
Field Dressing
After the coyote has been ethically killed, proper field dressing ensures quality meat and a clean harvest.
- Wear rubber gloves when field dressing to avoid contact with blood and fluids.
- Place the coyote on its back and insure it is deceased before starting.
- Make an incision from the solar plexus down to the pelvic area, being careful not to puncture intestines.
- Remove digestive tract and organs, taking care not to contaminate the meat.
- Roll the coyote onto its side to allow the chest cavity to drain.
- Wash the cavity thoroughly with clean water to flush away debris.
- Prop open the rib cage using a stick to allow air circulation and cooling.
- Within 3 hours, transport the coyote to a walk-in cooler maintaining 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Aging the meat for 7-10 days allows enzymes to tenderize the flesh.
By using appropriate firearms, ammunition, and shot placement, coyotes can be dispatched ethically. Field dressing properly and promptly prevents spoilage. When done responsibly, removing problem coyotes can be accomplished humanely.
Preventing Coyotes without Lethal Force
Removing Food Attractants
One of the best ways to discourage coyotes from entering your yard is to eliminate access to food sources. This means cleaning up fallen fruit from trees, keeping pet food indoors, securing garbage cans and compost bins, and clearing out sources of water.
Studies show that removing food attractants can reduce coyote conflicts by over 50% (see Humane Society).
If you compost outdoors, make sure to use lockable bins made of metal or durable plastic. Only add appropriate compost materials like yard waste and avoid meat scraps or oils that can lure wildlife. Keeping chickens or other livestock? Use secure housing at night when coyotes primarily hunt.
Making your property less appealing for coyotes seeking an easy meal can go a long way in resolving nuisance problems.
Excluding Coyotes from Your Property
Installing exclusion fencing is another non-lethal approach to keeping coyotes out of your yard. These fences use a combination of mesh and electrified wiring to create a physical and psychological barrier (see sample designs).
While expensive, studies show that 80-85% of urban coyote territories can be effectively excluded this way. Most nuisance coyotes will abandon their attempts to enter a property after receiving a negative stimulus from an exclusion fence.
In addition to perimeter fencing, electric fence rollers can be placed atop existing walls or fences at an outward angle to prevent coyotes from gaining a foothold. Motion-activated sprinklers like the ScareCrow also use sudden bursts of water to startle intruding coyotes and condition them to avoid the area.
Using Deterrents
Implementing hazing or harassment techniques is vital to reinstilling a healthy fear of humans in habituated coyotes. Hazing uses deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage unwanted behavior.
Examples include shouting and waving your arms, spraying vinegar-filled water guns or hoses, and throwing objects like rocks, sticks, tennis balls or rubber bullets near (but not directly at) the coyote.
Deterrent devices like motion-sensor lights, claxon horns and radios can also help make your property seem less welcoming. Studies show that daily hazing efforts over a 2+ week period are effective at re-training most nuisance coyotes (see tips).
Teaming up with neighbors for community-based hazing programs helps reinforce these efforts.
Living with Coyotes
Coexisting with Coyotes
Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that can thrive in urban and suburban areas. As natural habitats are developed, coyotes learn to take advantage of resources like pet food, water, and shelter that become available.
While potentially unnerving for homeowners, coyotes serve an important role in the ecosystem and steps can be taken for safe coexistence.
It’s important to secure trash and eliminate other food sources around the home. Fences should be reinforced or improved to protect pets. The use of deterrents like motion-activated lights and noises can also help startle coyotes and condition them to avoid yards.
Authorities typically recommend hazing – yelling, waving arms, or spraying hoses – to scare coyotes rather than physically confronting them.
Lethal removal is not an effective long-term solution for coyote control. Coyotes are resilient and will continue moving into suitable habitats. The Humane Society (https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/coyotes-people-encounters) recommends community education and cooperation in coexisting with coyotes rather than trapping or shooting.
Teaching Children about Coyotes
As coyotes adapt to urban areas, children may encounter them near homes or schools. Educating kids about proper behavior around coyotes can help reduce risk. Children should be taught not to approach, feed, or interact with coyotes since this can lead to bold behavior over time.
If children spot a coyote, they should not run or turn their back. Backing away slowly while yelling and waving arms is recommended. Reporting coyote sightings to parents or authorities helps monitor local populations.
Open communication empowers communities to make informed decisions when interacting with urban wildlife.
Positive messaging around ecological balance and celebrating biodiversity sets the stage for harmonious coexistence. There are great children’s books like Coyotes: Wild and Free that showcase the intelligence and family bonds of coyotes.
Fostering coexistence starts with education and understanding animal behavior.
Protecting Pets from Coyotes
Coyotes pose the biggest threat to outdoor pets, though attacks on larger dogs are rare. Always supervise pets when outside, especially at dawn and dusk when coyotes hunt most. High fences and vigilance give pets a fighting chance, but roaming cats are especially vulnerable.
The American Humane Society (https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/coyotes-and-pets/) offers tips like avoiding off-leash walks in wooded areas and not leaving pet food outside. Coyote deterrents, noisemakers, and pepper spray can also be carried when walking pets.
Securing the home perimeter and accompanying pets outside whenever possible reduces risk.
Outdoor pets killed annually by coyotes | Over 100,000 |
Cats killed compared to small dogs | 3 times more likely |
While coyote encounters can be scary for pet owners, aggressive behavior towards humans remains statistically rare. Securing food sources, educating communities, and taking simple precautions can help facilitate peaceful coexistence in shared environments.
Conclusion
Coyotes are clever animals trying to survive in an ever-changing world. If one has made itself at home in your yard, take time to understand the complex laws around discharging firearms and humane killing.
Preventive measures like securing food sources and excluding access to your property can convince coyotes to move on before resorting to lethal control. With mindfulness and preparation, you can maintain the safety of your family and pets while respecting the coyote’s place in the environment.