THE NEED TO CONTROL COYOTES?

The World Championship Coyote Calling Contest® (WCCCC®) monitors all the various types of problems and control methods for the aggressive and damaging coyote. There is a very long history of the need for control and the various methods. This Ultimate Survivor has been pursued in so many waysfor so long that we may not know of all of them.

After over 100 years of controls on this predator they still flourish across the Western hemisphere. Imagine what it would be like had there been no control efforts! Here is a list of some of the control methods we are aware of from over the years;

1. Leg Hold Trapping-has some restrictions- very effective properly used.  These traps no longer have teeth or even break the leg bones with the new designs.  Most of the time they do not even break the skin (can vary).
2. Neck and leg snares-not legal in all areas-has restrictions-very effective when properly used.
3. Body Traps-generally illegal in most states
4. Cage traps-generally do not work-few exceptions. Coyotes are to smart to go in a confined space. They figure it out.
5. Poison-digested- now illegal everywhere-good decision.
6. Cyanide gas-propelled into the mouth-canine specific too-very restricted- very effective when properly used. Generally requires special permit.
7. Dead Falls-generally illegal
8. Hunting-no restrictions-contributes to control. There are many types of hunting methods and all have their advantages and limitations.
9. Aerial Gunning-Very effective and expensive-generally requires special permit-expensive too.

There are a few “scare-a-way ideas and tools out there today. They include;

1. Flashing lights-coyotes get use to them quickly.
2. Yard/pen lights-can work but the coyotes can get use to the too.
3. Noise makers– coyotes get use to them quickly.
4. Guard dogs– have to be trained, are not pets, stay with the domestic livestock herd 24/7. This can work very well but they do get killed by the coyotes. They are expensive too. They can be dangerous to other people that are not their trainers.   Some liability exist.
5. Electric fences– generally do not work. It depends on how the fence is setup. Generally the coyotes figure away around them. Single strand fence does not work in anyway.
6. Chain link or tightly woven field fence. Must be 8 feet high or more and buried in the ground at least 12 inches to work.       Over time the coyotes figure how to get in. A coyote can clear a 6 foot high fence with one jump and not touch the top of the fence.
7. Block fence.       Can be effective if the foundation is at least 12 inches under the ground and the fence is 8 to 10 feet tall. There are devices that can be installed on the top of the fence that will help too.
8. Wooden fence– Depending on the makeup and construction of the fence it can help for a while. It MUST have concrete foundation at least 12 inches below the surface though. It must be 8 to 10 feet tall too.
9. Barb wire fence– does not work
10. Sprays or powder deterrents– Commonly sold in store and on the internet do NOT work in anyway. A waste of money.
11. Yelling and waving your arms-General can work once or even twice but coyotes catch on quickly and are studying you to see what you do too.
12. Placing colored fabric or plastic on fences– does not work for long. Coyotes are smart and study the moving object and figure it out quickly. Waste of time. It may work on pray animals but not predators.
13. Donkey’s/Llamas– Can work if property trained and they are aggressive. They stay with the domestic livestock herd 24/7. Some liability exists. Can be expensive.
14. Household pets-generally become the victim of coyotes rather than providing any long term protection. Often the barking draws coyotes to investigate.
15. Shooting in the air-generally works once or twice and then they figure it out. They will study you to see what you are doing.
16. Metal fence- can be effective depending on construction and is at least 8 feet high and has the metal or concrete below the surface at least 12 inches.

The best website(s) we are aware of at this time for help and information include-http://icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/Coyotes.asp It is generally very accurate in the description of the coyote, the issues, the damage, and the control methods. Another good site is http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/shivik.html. Check them out.

DAMAGE- The need for Control- The amazing coyote has caused millions and millions of dollars of damage to property, livestock, crops, and more over the decades they have been monitored. It is very well documented too. Over population of coyotes has proven to be dangerous to humans due to the coyotes moving into urban areas for more food and loosing their fear of humans. The damage and threat is no longer confided to the rural areas.