Coyotes are showing up more often in Wisconsin yards, and it can be a little unnerving when one wanders through. Knowing how to react makes a huge difference for both your safety and theirs.
I’ve seen one up close before, and it’s definitely not a moment you forget. Here are the things you should do—and 3 you really shouldn’t—if a coyote appears in your yard.
1. Make Yourself Big and Loud
Wave your arms, stomp your feet, and shout firmly at the coyote. Wisconsin wildlife experts recommend this “hazing” technique to reinforce humans as threatening.
Most coyotes in the Badger State will quickly retreat when confronted. Carry a noisemaker like a whistle or bell during evening walks when coyotes are most active.
2. Secure Your Trash Cans
Coyotes love easy meals and unsecured garbage is like ringing the dinner bell. Purchase animal-proof containers with tight-fitting lids or use bungee cords to keep lids firmly attached.
Many Wisconsin neighborhoods from Milwaukee to Madison have reported increased coyote sightings near homes with accessible trash. Put waste out only on collection day morning rather than overnight.
3. Remove Food Sources
Harvest ripe fruits promptly and clean up fallen produce from trees. Coyotes surprisingly enjoy fruits and vegetables alongside their meat diet, making Wisconsin gardens particularly attractive.
Never leave pet food outdoors overnight. Birdseed attracts squirrels and other small animals that coyotes hunt, so consider bringing feeders in at dusk across your northern Wisconsin property.
4. Install Motion-Activated Deterrents
Motion-activated sprinklers deliver startling but harmless bursts of water when triggered by movement. These devices work wonderfully in Wisconsin yards where coyotes frequently travel.
Solar-powered flashing lights mimic predator eyes and spook cautious coyotes. Many Door County residents report success combining multiple deterrents that confuse these intelligent animals without causing harm.
5. Install Proper Fencing
Coyotes can jump surprisingly high and dig effectively. Effective barriers should be at least 6 feet tall with an additional buried portion extending 12 inches underground to prevent tunneling.
Wisconsin homeowners near natural areas like the Kettle Moraine should consider adding a coyote roller—a spinning top bar that prevents animals from gaining traction when attempting to climb over fencing.
6. Never Feed Coyotes
Intentionally feeding wild coyotes creates dangerous dependencies and emboldens them around humans. Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources strictly warns against this practice that disrupts natural behaviors.
Even unintentional feeding through accessible compost piles can cause problems. Across Wisconsin’s Northwoods communities, habituated coyotes often become nuisances requiring professional wildlife management intervention.
7. Don’t Run Away
Running triggers a coyote’s chase instinct, potentially transforming a curious animal into a pursuer. Stand your ground firmly while employing hazing techniques instead.
Wisconsin hikers encountering coyotes in places like the Ice Age Trail should maintain eye contact while slowly backing away. Running could endanger not just you but future visitors by teaching coyotes that humans might be prey.
8. Don’t Leave Pets Unattended
Small dogs and outdoor cats can unfortunately become prey for hungry coyotes. Always supervise pets during outdoor time, especially during dawn and dusk when coyotes actively hunt.
Many Wisconsin communities from Green Bay to La Crosse report pet losses to coyotes annually. Using leashes for dogs and creating secure outdoor enclosures for cats helps protect your furry family members.