Coyotes in Scofield Farms?

Coyotes are an extremely adaptable wildlife species that survive well in urban environments - including here in Austin

Coyotes have been a recognized problem in Austin over the last decade and are now seen regularly around Scofield Farms.

What do coyotes look like?

• Coyotes in our region weigh between 25 to 45 pounds
• Large erect ears, narrow muzzles and golden brown eyes
• Bushy tails held down when in motion
• Reddish-yellow, tan or gray general appearance
• Bib-like patch of white fur around lower jaw and neck
• Darker gray and black hairs on upper body and lighter cream-colored undersides
• They often appear heavier due to a thick, double coat of fur

What do they eat?

In rural wild environments, up to 70 percent of a coyote's diet consists of small mammals (mice, moles, rabbits, etc.). The remaining 30 is percent is a combination of fruits, vegetables, insects, fish, birds, eggs and other available items.

In more urban areas, coyotes also prey on rats, squirrels, geese, fawns, garbage, yard fruit, pet food, birdseed and domestic pets, such as cats and small dogs.

When are coyotes most active?

Coyotes can be active anytime of day or night.. Coyote young are born in the spring, and food requirements of the nursing females and growing young remain high until late summer.

Conflicts with coyotes

Coyote attacks on human are extremely rare.

Do not feed coyotes !!

Intentionally or inadvertently. Coyotes in our area have an adequate food supply and are capable of surviving in this environment without our help. In fact, by feeding coyotes you put yourself, your neighborhood and the coyote at risk. A coyote that becomes dependent on humans for food may become too bold around humans, bite someone and have to be destroyed.

Report aggressive coyotes

Aggressive coyotes should be immediately reported. If a coyote behaves aggressively toward humans, it will be removed from the neighborhood. Report coyote sightings and behavior by dialing 311. If you feel immediately threatened by a coyote, call 911.

Coyote behavior scores (CBS)

Be prepared!

If you are concerned about encountering an aggressive coyote, you may want to keep a deterrent handy. Deterrents can include rocks, pots and pans, tennis balls, tin cans filled with nails or coins to make loud noise and a super-soaker filled with vinegar.

If a coyote approaches you:

• Appear to be as Big, Mean and Loud as possible
• Make yourself appear larger (stand up if sitting)
• Wave your arms, throw objects (not food) at the coyote and use your deterrent
• Shout in a deep, loud and aggressive voice
• If the coyote continues to approach, DO NOT RUN or turn your back on the coyote. Continue to exaggerate the above gestures while maintaining eye contact and moving toward an area of human activity

When are coyotes a risk to people?

Although naturally curious, coyotes are usually timid animals and normally run away if challenged. Coyotes can be a risk to people if they have become comfortable around humans, usually as the result of feeding.

It is not normal for coyotes to attack or pursue humans; it is a learned response to human behavior. You can discourage coyotes from feeling comfortable around you by responding to their presence and eliminating coyote attractants (food sources) from your yard and neighborhood.

Remove coyote attractants in your area

Coyotes should not feel comfortable around people or their homes. If a coyote is comfortable in your neighbor's yard, it is also comfortable in your yard, around your children and your pets. If you see a coyote in your neighborhood, you should do your best to make it feel unwelcome. You can discourage coyotes from hanging around your home by scaring coyotes off your property and by removing coyote attractants, such as:

• Accessible garbage or compost, including fruit that has fallen from trees or shrubs
• Outdoor pet food and water (stored or fed)
• Rodent habitat: neglected yards, garages or sheds
• Make sure your neighbors and others in your neighborhood do the same

Maintain your fence.

Repair any openings, keep gates shut. Minimum height to keep out coyotes is six feet.

Keeping our pets safe

Recognizing the risk is the first step toward preventing conflict between coyotes and your pet. Coyotes will prey on outdoor cats and small dogs. Pets have been taken from yards, open spaces and even right off the leash.

There are, however, some things you can do to reduce the risk to your pets:

If you own a cat:

The only way to guarantee your cat's safety is to keep it indoors.

Removing coyote attractants from your yard and neighborhood will reduce the probability of a coyote visiting your home. Outdoor cats face potential death from cars, diseases, parasites, raccoons and dogs, in addition to coyotes.

If you own a small dog:

If you are aware of coyotes in your neighborhood, you can greatly reduce the risk of conflict if you:

• Keep your dog on a short leash while outside and avoid extension leashes
• Supervise your dog when it is off-leash in the yard
• Walk your dog at times and places that coincide with high pedestrian traffic
• Keep your dog in front of you; if your dog stops, keep an eye on it
• Dog walk with other people
• If a coyote approaches, pick up your pet.

If you own a large dog:

Coyotes pose less risk to medium-to large-sized dogs. Keep large dogs on leash, except in designated areas, and discourage your dog from feeling comfortable with coyotes by preventing it from "playing" or interacting with a coyote.

Coyotes are attracted to and can mate with unspayed or unneutered domestic dogs.

• Unspayed female dogs in season will attract male coyotes
• Unneutered male dogs can be lured away by the scent of a female coyote in her ovulation cycle.
• Coydogs maintain the coyote's predatory nature, along with the dog's lack of timidity toward humans, making them a more serious threat

Why co-exist with coyotes?

Coyotes have adapted to urban lifestyles because city environments support them. The majority of coyotes continue to feed primarily on the many available mice and rats. They are just one part of our diverse ecosystem.

Eradication programs in North American cities have proven to be expensive failures.

While eradication may remove (kill) individual animals, the coyote habitat remains and will be filled by other coyotes. Trapping and poisoning programs are not practical in urban areas because they can not discriminate between coyotes, children, pets and other wildlife. These programs expose all of them to the same risk.

Coexistence is not an option if an individual coyote has threatened a person. Any aggressive coyote will removed from the area. Even after a problem coyote has been removed, the environment and human behavior that led to the coyote's actions remain.

If people are still feeding coyotes and allowing them to feel comfortable around homes, people and pets, problem coyotes will occur again and again.

Summary

• Do Not Feed Coyotes
• Be Prepared To Deter Coyotes
• Protect Your Pets
• Report Coyote Sightings and Behavior