Coexistence is a practice, not a policy.

Intentional feeding of coyotes is the single most reliable way to create conflict. Fed coyotes lose their wariness of humans, associate people with food, and eventually approach in ways that trigger fear responses — and calls for lethal control. Do not feed coyotes. Do not leave pet food outside. Secure compost. Use wildlife-resistant garbage containers. Source: CDFW, 'Keep Me Wild: Coyote' (current edition); Project Coyote coexistence guidance.

Small dogs and cats are within the prey size range of coyotes. This is not aggression — it is predation, which is a normal ecological behavior. Supervise small pets outdoors, especially at dawn, dusk, and night. Keep cats indoors or in enclosed outdoor spaces. Walk small dogs on leash in areas with known coyote activity. Risk is elevated during pup season (roughly March–August in most of California; timing varies by region and elevation — earlier in Southern California lowlands, later in the Sierra Nevada foothills). Source: CDFW, 'Keep Me Wild: Coyote' (current edition); Timm et al. (2004), Proceedings of the 21st Vertebrate Pest Conference.

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders. Unsecured garbage, fallen fruit, and rodent populations all attract coyotes to residential areas. Integrated pest management — addressing rodent populations without poison that can move up the food chain — reduces attractants without creating secondary wildlife casualties. Note: rodenticide use that kills coyotes and raptors is documented in California; consult your local vector control agency for non-toxic alternatives. Source: CDFW, 'Keep Me Wild: Coyote'; Project Coyote coexistence resources.

Hazing means making coyotes uncomfortable around humans to reinforce their natural wariness. It is appropriate when a coyote has become habituated — when it no longer moves away from humans at a normal distance. Hazing is not punishment. It is communication. It must be done consistently, by multiple people, over time. Sporadic hazing is ineffective. Hazing a coyote that is simply passing through is unnecessary and counterproductive. Regional note: some municipalities have specific guidance or restrictions on hazing methods — check with your local animal services agency. Source: CDFW, 'Keep Me Wild: Coyote'; Timm et al. (2004); Project Coyote hazing guidance.

Coyotes in residential areas are often there because the corridors that connected their territory to larger open space have been fragmented or closed. Supporting local habitat corridor protection — through advocacy, land use decisions, and wildlife-friendly landscaping — reduces the pressure that brings coyotes into conflict with humans. Source: Gehrt, S.D. et al. (2011), Journal of Mammalogy; Urban Coyote Research Project.

Most human-coyote conflict is a communication failure. Neighbors who understand coyote behavior — what a sighting means, what behaviors indicate habituation versus normal movement, what to do and not do — are neighbors who make better decisions. Community education is the most cost-effective conflict prevention tool available. Source: Urban Coyote Research Project; Project Coyote.

A coyote sighting is not a conflict. A coyote that moves away from humans at normal distance is behaving normally. A coyote that does not move away, that approaches, or that shows no fear response has become habituated — this warrants hazing and reporting to local wildlife authorities. A coyote that approaches aggressively or attacks is a rare situation that warrants immediate contact with local animal control or wildlife agencies. Source: CDFW, 'Keep Me Wild: Coyote'; Bekoff, M. & Wells, M.C. (1986), Advances in the Study of Behavior.

If a person or pet is bitten by a coyote: (1) Seek medical attention immediately. Coyote bites, while rare, carry infection risk and require prompt evaluation. (2) Contact your local animal control agency and report the incident. (3) Contact your local public health department. Coyote rabies is rare in California — the state has been largely free of terrestrial rabies in coyotes — but any bite from a wild animal warrants medical evaluation and public health notification. Do not attempt to capture or kill the animal yourself. Regional note: rabies risk and reporting requirements vary by county; your local health department is the authoritative source for your jurisdiction. Sources: CDFW incident reporting; California Department of Public Health; your county health department.

Coyote management ordinances vary significantly by jurisdiction. Some cities and counties have specific rules about feeding wildlife, trapping, hazing methods, and lethal control. What is permitted in an unincorporated county area may differ from what is permitted within a city limit. For questions about local ordinances, contact your city or county animal services agency. For questions about state law, contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This publication does not provide legal advice. Source: CDFW; your local animal services agency.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) maintains current guidance on coyote coexistence, hazing protocols, and conflict reporting at wildlife.ca.gov. Project Coyote (projectcoyote.org) provides research-based resources for communities. The Urban Coyote Research Project (urbancoyoteresearch.com) publishes long-term research on urban coyote ecology. Do not rely on this publication for emergency guidance — contact local authorities for immediate safety concerns.