Coyotes in Florida

Coyotes are an important part of the landscape in Florida. They help maintain healthy ecosystems by managing populations of rodents, insects and other small animals. By preventing conflicts, we can better coexist with coyotes and other wildlife. 

Coyotes live in urban, suburban,  and rural areas throughout Florida.  Coyote tracks will show considerable variations depending upon the condition of the ground and movement of the coyote. The average front track is 2 1/4 inch long and the hind track is 2 inches long. The average coyote weighs 28 pounds. 

Tips to Avoid Conflict

  • Do not feed Coyotes. Feeding them is Illegal and will cause them to lose their fear of humans; 
  • Secure garbage cans and clean up pet food; and 
  • Keep pets in enclosed areas and walk dogs on a short leash.

Coyote Hazing Guidelines

Generally, coyotes are reclusive animals who avoid human contact. Coyotes who’ve adapted to urban and suburban environments, however, may realize there are few real threats and approach people or feel safe visiting yards even when people are present. 

Hazing is a method that makes use of deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain a coyote’s fear of humans and deter them from neighborhood spaces such as backyards and play spaces. 

Methods of Hazing

Using a variety of different hazing tools is critical; coyotes can habituate to individual items, sounds, and actions. 

  • Yelling and waving your arms while approaching the coyote 
  • Noisemakers: Voice, whistles, air horns, bells, soda cans filled with pennies or dead batteries, pots and pans banged together 
  • Projectiles: sticks, small rocks, cans, tennis balls, rubber balls 
  • Other: hoses, water guns with vinegar water, spray bottles with vinegar water, pepper spray, bear repellant, walking sticks

The simplest method of hazing a coyote involves being loud and large! "GO AWAY COYOTE!"

Remember - NEVER RUN AWAY FROM A COYOTE!
 

For more hazing information download the Humane Society Coyote Hazing Guidelines here.