Coyote Awareness

(Updated November 14, 2018)

On December 12, 2016, the Town of Corte Madera and the City of Larkspur co-hosted a community meeting, Coexisting with Coyotes. Topics covered during the meeting included a primer on local coyote populations, strategies for deterring coyotes, navigating coyote encounters, and local agency responses to coyote interactions.

The meeting featured presentations by Capt. Cindy Machado, Director of Animal Services with Marin Humane Society, David Herlocker, Interpretive Naturalist with Marin County Parks and Open Space and Keli Hendricks, Ranching with Wildlife Coordinator with Project Coyote.

The video of the meeting runs approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes and can be viewed here or through the video link embedded below. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation provided at the December 12th meeting is available here.

Additional Resources:                                                                                                                                                                                    

• Coyote Awareness Facts and Safety Tips
• Project Coyote                   
• Coyote Coexistence Information    
• WildCare Wildlife Resources - Living With Coyotes                                 
• Marin County Livestock and Wildlife Protection Program
• Marin County Animal Services Website                                                                                                                                     
• Urban Coyote Ecology and Management (The Cook County, Illinois, Coyote Project)                                                   
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife Coyote information: Coyotes in California   
  • Coyotes are smart adaptable canines that have learned to live comfortably along side people in residential neighborhoods. Wildlife experts agree that people have played a part in this phenomenon by being careless with food and garbage.
    Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control. They are by nature fearful of humans.
    However, if coyotes are given access to human food and garbage, their behavior changes. They lose caution and fear. They may begin to harass domestic livestock and pets . They might threaten human safety. They might be killed.
    
    Relocating a problem coyote is not an option because it only moves the problem to another neighborhood.
    Help prevent human-coyote conflicts.
  • "Coyote country" precautions
    • Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The result may be deadly conflicts with pets or livestock, or serious injuries to small children.
    • Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
    • Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
    • Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
    • Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
    • If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
    • If a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact the nearest Department of Fish and Wildlife or law enforcement office.
  • Stash Your Food and Trash: Allowing coyotes access to human food and garbage is reckless and deadly.Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food but will take advantage of whatever is available including garbage, pet food, and domestic animals.
    • Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
    • Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
    • Bring pets in at night, and do not leave pet food outside.
    • Avoid using bird feeders as they attract rodents and other coyote prey.
    • Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry and other livestock.
    • Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
    • Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife ask that you please respect and protect wild animals. Keep them wild.

Click here to submit a wildlife incident report to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife      

Coyote Hazing Techniques                                                                                                                                                                           Please click here to view video demonstration of effective coyote hazing techniques.       

***If you are interested in acquiring an informational door hanger for yourself and/or your neighbors, feel free to contact Project Coyote by calling 415-945-3232