Spotting a coyote in your Washington yard can be startling, but knowing how to react makes all the difference.
These wild animals are becoming more common in neighborhoods across the state, so understanding the right moves keeps you, your family, and your pets safe.
Whether you live near the woods or in the suburbs, these tips will help you handle a coyote encounter with confidence.
1. Make Yourself Look Big and Loud
Stand tall and wave your arms above your head to appear larger than you really are. Coyotes in Washington typically avoid anything that seems threatening or unfamiliar to them.
Shout firmly and clap your hands to create noise that startles the animal. Your confident energy sends a clear message that you are not prey.
Backing down or staying silent might encourage the coyote to stick around longer than you want.
2. Use Hazing Techniques to Scare It Off
Hazing means using loud sounds and sudden movements to teach coyotes to fear humans. Bang pots together, shake a can filled with coins, or spray water from a hose toward the animal.
Washington wildlife experts recommend hazing because it helps coyotes learn to stay away from people and homes. Consistency is key, so repeat these actions every time you see one.
Over time, the coyote will associate your yard with unpleasant experiences and avoid it.
3. Keep Pets and Children Close to You
Coyotes may see small pets as potential food, especially during dawn or dusk when they are most active. Immediately bring your dog or cat indoors if you spot a coyote nearby.
Children should also stay close to adults during an encounter. In Washington neighborhoods, coyotes rarely approach groups of people but might be curious about a lone child or pet.
Supervision and quick action reduce the chances of a dangerous situation unfolding in your yard.
4. Secure Food Sources Around Your Property
Coyotes wander into yards searching for easy meals like garbage, pet food, or fallen fruit. Lock your trash cans with tight lids and never leave pet bowls outside overnight.
Compost piles and bird feeders can also attract them, so keep these areas clean and contained. Washington residents living near forests or parks should be extra cautious about food storage.
Removing temptations makes your yard far less appealing to these clever scavengers looking for a snack.
5. Report Frequent Sightings to Wildlife Authorities
If coyotes keep showing up in your Washington neighborhood, contact your local wildlife department or animal control. Frequent visits might signal that the animal has lost its natural fear of humans, which can become a safety concern.
Authorities can track patterns and offer guidance or intervention if needed. Your report helps protect not just your family but your entire community.
Staying informed and proactive creates a safer environment for everyone living nearby.
6. Don’t Run Away or Turn Your Back
Running triggers a coyote’s chase instinct, making you look like prey instead of a threat. Always face the animal and back away slowly if you need to create distance.
Turning your back might also encourage the coyote to follow or approach closer. Washington wildlife officers stress that staying calm and assertive is your best defense during an encounter.
Quick, panicked movements can escalate the situation rather than resolve it peacefully and safely.
7. Don’t Feed or Try to Befriend the Coyote
Feeding wild coyotes teaches them to associate humans with food, which removes their natural wariness. Once they lose that fear, they become bolder and more likely to approach homes, pets, and people in Washington neighborhoods.
Some folks think offering food is kind, but it actually puts everyone at risk. Coyotes that rely on human handouts often become nuisances or dangers.
Admire them from a distance and let them find their own meals in the wild.
8. Don’t Leave Small Pets Outside Unattended
Leaving cats or small dogs outside without supervision invites trouble, especially at night when coyotes are most active. Even fenced yards are not always safe, since coyotes can jump or dig under barriers.
Washington pet owners should always accompany their animals during bathroom breaks after dark. A leash and your presence provide protection that a fence alone cannot guarantee.
Staying vigilant keeps your furry friends safe from unexpected and unwanted wildlife encounters in your own backyard.