Spotting a coyote in your Washington yard can be startling, but these wild neighbors are actually common throughout our state.
As urban areas expand into their habitat, coyote sightings have increased in residential neighborhoods. Knowing how to respond safely protects both you and these adaptable animals.
1. Stay Calm And Keep Your Distance
Your heart might race when you spot those pointed ears and bushy tail in your Washington yard, but panic will not help the situation. Most coyotes are naturally afraid of humans and prefer to avoid close contact.
Back away slowly if you are outside, and give the animal plenty of space to escape. Coyotes in Washington rarely approach people unless they have been fed by humans before and lost their natural wariness.
2. Make Yourself Look Bigger
Channel your inner grizzly bear if the coyote doesn’t immediately run away. Raise your arms high above your head, wave them slowly, and stand tall to appear more intimidating.
Opening your jacket wide or lifting a backpack overhead creates an even larger silhouette. Wild animals typically avoid confrontations with creatures that seem bigger than themselves—it’s a survival instinct that works in your favor.
3. Make Loud Noises To Scare It Away
Grab a pot and metal spoon from your kitchen or use an air horn if you have one handy. Loud, unexpected noises startle coyotes in Washington and reinforce their natural fear of humans. Shout in a deep, authoritative voice while making yourself look bigger.
The combination of noise and size is usually enough to send the message that your Washington yard is not a welcoming place for wildlife exploration.
4. Protect Your Pets Immediately
Small dogs and outdoor cats look like prey to hungry coyotes. If your furry family members are outside when you spot a coyote, call them inside right away.
Never leave pets unattended in your yard, especially during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active. For extra protection, consider installing coyote rollers on fence tops—these rolling bars prevent coyotes from getting the foothold they need to climb over.
5. Remove All Food Sources
Coyotes in Washington follow their noses to easy meals. Pet food left on porches, unsecured garbage cans, fallen fruit from trees, and even bird feeders can attract these opportunistic eaters to your property. Clean up any potential food sources immediately.
Even compost piles should be properly secured, as they can attract rodents which, in turn, attract coyotes. Remember, in Washington as elsewhere, a fed coyote is a dead coyote—once they lose their fear of humans, conflicts increase.
6. Secure Your Garbage Cans
Trash day presents a buffet opportunity for hungry wildlife. Invest in animal-proof containers with tight-fitting lids or bungee cords to keep them sealed until collection day.
Store garbage cans in a garage or shed overnight when possible. If you must leave them outside, consider spraying the bags with ammonia or placing mothballs inside the container—both scents repel coyotes and other wildlife looking for an easy meal.
7. Install Motion-Activated Lights
Coyotes prefer to hunt under the cover of darkness. Bright lights suddenly flooding your yard can startle them and discourage nighttime visits.
Position motion-activated lights around your property, especially near chicken coops, garden areas, or places where pets might go outside. Combine lighting with sound deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers for maximum effectiveness against these adaptable predators.
8. Report Aggressive Coyotes To Authorities
While most coyote encounters are harmless, animals showing unusual boldness around humans need attention. Contact your local animal control or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife if you notice concerning behavior.
Signs of potential trouble include coyotes approaching people, showing teeth, stalking children, or appearing during daylight hours repeatedly. Wildlife officials can assess whether intervention is necessary to protect public safety.
9. Modify Your Landscaping
Dense shrubs and overgrown areas provide perfect hiding spots for coyotes. Trim vegetation near the ground, especially around the perimeter of your property and near children’s play areas.
Remove brush piles and keep grass short to eliminate rodent habitat that might attract hungry predators. Consider installing fencing that extends at least 6 inches underground to prevent coyotes from digging their way into enclosed areas where children or pets play.
10. MISTAKE: Don’t Run Away
Running triggers a chase response in coyotes—they’re hardwired to pursue fleeing animals. Your sudden movement might activate their predatory instincts, even if they weren’t initially interested in you.
Instead of running, face the animal directly while backing away slowly. Maintain eye contact to show confidence. This approach communicates that you’re not prey while still allowing you to create distance between yourself and the wild canine.
11. MISTAKE: Never Feed Coyotes
Those pleading eyes might tempt you to toss a treat, but feeding coyotes causes dangerous behavior changes. Once they associate humans with food, they lose their natural wariness and become bolder around people.
Intentional feeding is actually illegal in many Washington communities. Wildlife experts have a saying: “a fed coyote is a dead coyote” because animals that become food-conditioned often end up being removed due to public safety concerns.
12. MISTAKE: Don’t Leave Small Children Unattended
Children’s high-pitched voices and quick movements can trigger a coyote’s predatory response. While attacks on humans are extremely rare, young children are more vulnerable than adults.
Always supervise kids playing outdoors in areas where coyotes have been spotted. Teach children to recognize coyotes and know what to do if they see one—stand tall, make noise, and get an adult right away.
13. MISTAKE: Don’t Corner A Coyote
Trapped animals become desperate animals. Never position yourself between a coyote and its escape route, as this might force the animal to defend itself.
Always give wildlife plenty of space to retreat. If you find a coyote in your garage or other enclosed space, open all doors wide and step away to allow it to leave on its own. Cornered coyotes may bite if they feel they have no other option.