How to keep coyotes out of my back yard?

[klpca]

We live on a canyon and recently a few homeowners in my area (but not on my street) are reporting coyote attacks on their pets *in* their back yards, even where there is a 6' fence. We currently have a 5' chain link fence on a hill - located on our property line. The hill continues down for another quarter mile (+/-) and is fairly steep. Does anyone have any ideas/solutions to keep the coyotes out? Luckily our dog is pretty lazy and spends most of her day inside, but it is beginning to worry me because the coyotes are becoming a lot more active during the day time. We have lived here for over 30 years and it has only been in the last 5 years that the coyotes have become an issue. We hear them all the time, especially when they are hunting/eating I guess - lots of high pitched yipping and yelping.

Btw we cannot discharge firearms within our city limits, so shooting them is not an option.

 

[am1]

You sure they are jumping 6 foot fences? Or your neighbours have holes in the fence?

 

[klpca]

You sure they are jumping 6 foot fences? Or your neighbours have holes in the fence?

Truthfully I have questioned this myself. They are self reporting...and I am a bit skeptical. First of all, 5' fences are the norm in our community, and after 30 years we have never had one in our back yard. So I wonder about opened gates, holes etc. But a little part of me is nervous about this.

 

[VacationForever]

You sure they are jumping 6 foot fences? Or your neighbours have holes in the fence?

Yes they do.
https://www.adoptapet.com/blog/keep-your-pets-safe-from-coyotes/

 

[VacationForever]

We live in coyotes country here and many pet owners have lost their pets, disappeared and we all assume that the coyotes got them.

 

[TUGBrian]

does the rule apply to pellet guns or air rifles?

some modern air rifles are ridiculously powerful these days, and while not likely to outright kill a full grown coyote, will certainly make them go away!

 

[DaveNV]

We have lived here for over 30 years and it has only been in the last 5 years that the coyotes have become an issue.

When I was in the Navy, stationed in San Diego, I often drove to work in Point Loma in the middle of the night (computer program testing - weird hours.) I drove up Catalina Blvd following a scrawny dog than was loping up the middle of the road. It finally turned to go into someone's yard, and I saw it was a coyote. This was close to the lighthouse, and it surprised me to see one so far into the urban area.

Dave

 

[klpca]

does the rule apply to pellet guns or air rifles?

some modern air rifles are ridiculously powerful these days, and while not likely to outright kill a full grown coyote, will certainly make them go away!

I'll check in to that. I know that it's no bullets but other things (sling shots etc) are ok as long as you're not on a city street around people.

 

[TravelTime]

We live in a busy suburb in the SF Bay Area and we have coyotes and mountain lion sightings all the time. This is what happens with development, I guess. Sadly, one of our cats disappeared. Since then, I do not let any pets out alone for even a few minutes.

 

[klpca]

When I was in the Navy, stationed in San Diego, I often drove to work in Point Loma in the middle of the night (computer program testing - weird hours.) I drove up Catalina Blvd following a scrawny dog than was loping up the middle of the road. It finally turned to go into someone's yard, and I saw it was a coyote. This was close to the lighthouse, and it surprised me to see one so far into the urban area.

Dave

Yes it's odd. The coyotes live between a freeway, a 4 lane road, and two suburban neighborhoods. They are a hardy group.

 

[klpca]

We live in a busy suburb in the SF Bay Area and we have coyotes and mountain lion sightings all the time. This is what happens with development, I guess. Sadly, one of our cats disappeared. Since then, I do not let any pets out alone for even a few minutes.

We lost two cats about 28 years ago. My daughter moved back with her cat - he's inside only.

 

[DaveNV]

I'll check in to that. I know that it's no bullets but other things (sling shots etc) are ok as long as you're not on a city street around people.

The problem with coyotes is they're sneaky. You may not see them until it's too late.

Dave

 

[am1]

does the rule apply to pellet guns or air rifles?

some modern air rifles are ridiculously powerful these days, and while not likely to outright kill a full grown coyote, will certainly make them go away!

That is very cruel and inhumane. May solve the issue but hopefully not the path chosen.

 

[EZ-ED]

Coyotes can easily jump an eight foot fence. To keep this predator out of your back yard you need a bigger predator (maybe a wolf) or at least a six foot fence topped with some type of closely spaced 18 inch sharp extenders pointing out at a 45 degree angle surrounding the area you want protected.

 

[easyrider]

Shooting a coyote is harder than a person might think. The best way to be rid of them is to deter them with lights and repellant. The repellent that works around here is mixing a gallon of white vinegar and a half gallon of Tabasco sauce and spray it with a weed sprayer around the fence line. Noise makers on a motion detector work too.

https://www.amazon.com/Amtek-Critter-Gitter-Repeller-Flashing/dp/B0028PEQZU

Shooting one during the day is very hard and requires an attractant and camo gear. At night its almost impossible.

Bill

 

[PigsDad]

Perhaps get a pet bear for your backyard?

Kurt

 

[TUGBrian]

That is very cruel and inhumane. May solve the issue but hopefully not the path chosen.

if its between a coyote and my dog/pets (or livestock, or child) in my back yard...it is what it is.

if there was an effective repellent, id have assumed it would have already been tried?

 

[heathpack]

Truthfully I have questioned this myself. They are self reporting...and I am a bit skeptical. First of all, 5' fences are the norm in our community, and after 30 years we have never had one in our back yard. So I wonder about opened gates, holes etc. But a little part of me is nervous about this.

100% a coyote can jump easily onto a 6 ft high fence. We all have 6 ft walls around our yards in our neighborhood and my neighbor has a pic of a coyote standing on the top of her wall.

We see coyote attacks on dogs who were in their own yards *all the time.* This is very very common. The only way to prevent it I think is to build an aviary, or 100% enclosed kennel (with a roof).

 

[klpca]

Perhaps get a pet bear for your backyard?

Kurt

My dog looks like a bear. Maybe the coyotes will think twice.

 

[klpca]

Shooting a coyote is harder than a person might think. The best way to be rid of them is to deter them with lights and repellant. The repellent that works around here is mixing a gallon of white vinegar and a half gallon of Tabasco sauce and spray it with a weed sprayer around the fence line. Noise makers on a motion detector work too.

https://www.amazon.com/Amtek-Critter-Gitter-Repeller-Flashing/dp/B0028PEQZU

Shooting one during the day is very hard and requires an attractant and camo gear. At night its almost impossible.

Bill

Thanks Bill. It won't hurt to try this.

It is so odd that they have decided to get into people's backyards. We've never had a problem until the last few years and it seems to be increasing - and getting closer.

One night our dog absolutely refused to go out to pee before bed. She walked out about 10 feet from our door and turned around. I figured that she could sense something that I couldn't see. I turned on all of the backyard lights and we tried again about a half hour later and she was fine. I feel bad that she is afraid in our own yard!

 

[easyrider]

if its between a coyote and my dog/pets (or livestock, or child) in my back yard...it is what it is.

if there was an effective repellent, id have assumed it would have already been tried?

The pellet gun does work on the neighbors dog because they are not very smart but I really doubt that you will ever see a coyote while you are in your back yard with a pellet gun, lol. I hear them all the time but only have been able to see them occasionally in the last twenty years.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

Thanks Bill. It won't hurt to try this.

It is so odd that they have decided to get into people's backyards. We've never had a problem until the last few years and it seems to be increasing - and getting closer.

One night our dog absolutely refused to go out to pee before bed. She walked out about 10 feet from our door and turned around. I figured that she could sense something that I couldn't see. I turned on all of the backyard lights and we tried again about a half hour later and she was fine. I feel bad that she is afraid in our own yard!

Are you feeding your dog outdoors ? Is the garbage sacked and contained ? Pet food and trash are attractants for coyotes.

That homemade repellent works to keep dogs from peeing on things like tires too. I think its like a cheap pepper spray.

Bill

 

[klpca]

Are you feeding your dog outdoors ? Is the garbage sacked and contained ? Pet food and trash are attractants for coyotes.

That homemade repellent works to keep dogs from peeing on things like tires too. I think its like a cheap pepper spray.

Bill

All feeding is done inside, and food stored in the (locked) garage. Trash cans are near the front of the house behind two gates. Lids are closed and almost everything is inside garbage bags, inside of those big containers. No fruit trees either. Our yard is pretty tidy but we do have a pool (water source :/ ).

Hopefully a 60ish lb dog will not be an appealing target.

 

[easyrider]

All feeding is done inside, and food stored in the (locked) garage. Trash cans are near the front of the house behind two gates. Lids are closed and almost everything is inside garbage bags, inside of those big containers. No fruit trees either. Our yard is pretty tidy but we do have a pool (water source :/ ).

Hopefully a 60ish lb dog will not be an appealing target.

At 60 pounds I think your dog is safe from coyotes. They seem to target smaller dogs and cats. My neighbors dog is about 60 pounds and is a known coyote killer. My dog is about 60 pounds but only barks. Rex is a labadoodle and I don't think he has a mean bone in his body.

You might be on to something regarding your pool. Probably just turning on the light when your dog goes out at night is all you need to do, imo.

Bill

 

[klpca]

We brought our own "bear" on the camping trip last week