Spotting a coyote in your Utah yard can be startling and concerning. These wild canines are becoming more common in suburban areas as their natural habitats shrink.
Knowing how to react properly keeps both you and the coyote safe while preventing future unwanted visits.
1. Stay Calm And Keep Your Distance
Your first instinct might be panic, but remaining calm is crucial. Coyotes typically fear humans and won’t approach unless cornered or habituated to people.
Maintain at least 50 feet of distance between yourself and the animal. Never attempt to approach, touch, or feed a coyote, no matter how harmless it may appear.
2. Make Yourself Look Bigger
Raise your arms above your head, wave them slowly, and stand tall. This simple technique makes you appear larger and more intimidating to the coyote.
Open your jacket if you’re wearing one or pick up nearby objects to extend your silhouette. The goal is to convince the coyote you’re not an easy target but rather something to be avoided.
3. Make Noise to Scare It Away
Coyotes startle easily when confronted with unexpected loud sounds. Yell, clap your hands firmly, bang pots together, or blow a whistle if you have one handy.
Maintain a stern, authoritative voice rather than high-pitched screaming. Many Utah residents keep “coyote shakers” – containers filled with coins or rocks – specifically for creating deterrent noise when needed.
4. Protect Children And Pets Immediately
Rush small children indoors at the first coyote sighting. Their small size and unpredictable movements might trigger a coyote’s predatory instincts. Bring pets inside promptly, especially cats and small dogs that coyotes might view as prey.
Even medium-sized dogs should be supervised outdoors in areas with known coyote activity. Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources reports numerous pet-coyote encounters annually.
5. Back Away Slowly – Never Run
Running triggers a chase response in coyotes, similar to when they hunt rabbits or other prey. Instead, back away slowly while maintaining eye contact with the animal. Move deliberately toward a building or area of human activity.
Coyotes rarely follow humans into spaces with lots of people or noise. Remember that most Utah coyote encounters end peacefully when humans respond appropriately.
6. Remove Food Sources From Your Yard
After the immediate encounter, tackle what might have attracted the coyote. Check for food scraps, unsecured garbage cans, or pet food left outdoors. Fallen fruit from trees should be collected regularly. Bird feeders attract squirrels and other small animals that coyotes hunt.
Utah’s dry climate makes residential areas with water sources particularly attractive to wildlife, so consider removing outdoor water bowls.
7. Install Motion-Activated Deterrents
Motion-activated sprinklers startle coyotes with sudden bursts of water. These devices are particularly effective at night when coyotes are most active. Solar-powered flashing lights or noise makers designed for wildlife deterrence work well too.
Many Utah hardware stores carry specialized coyote deterrents suited for the local environment. Position these devices at yard entry points where coyotes might access your property.
8. Report The Sighting To Local Authorities
Contact Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources to report your coyote sighting, especially if the animal appeared sick, injured, or unusually aggressive. Wildlife officials track population movements and problem behaviors.
Many Utah communities have specific protocols for coyote management. Your report helps build data about local wildlife patterns and protects neighbors who might be unaware of coyote activity in the area.
9. Reinforce Fencing Around Your Property
Coyotes can jump fences up to six feet high and dig underneath barriers. Consider installing coyote rollers – rotating cylinders that prevent coyotes from getting a grip at the fence top.
Extend fencing at least six inches underground or install an L-shaped mesh barrier that extends outward at the base. Utah’s rocky soil can make this challenging in some areas, but even partial reinforcement helps deter determined coyotes.
10. Educate Your Neighbors About Coyote Safety
Share what you’ve learned about coyote management with neighbors. Coordinated neighborhood efforts are far more effective than individual actions. Consider organizing a community meeting with a local wildlife expert.
Many Utah neighborhoods have successfully reduced coyote problems through shared vigilance and consistent practices. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources offers free educational materials about living safely with urban wildlife.