BELLINGHAM — With their ability to live in populated areas, coyotes are the rare large predator that you might run into without leaving your neighborhood. The species of canine has a presence in nearly every part of Washington, with an estimated population around 50,000.
In fact, coyotes are the only species in the state allowed to be hunted year-round under Washington law.
Here’s what experts recommend you do if you see one.
What should you do if you see a coyote?
If you’re ever face to face with a coyote, the first thing you should do is try to scare it away, according to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Communications Manager Jennifer Becar.
“If you encounter a coyote, don’t run away from it,” Becar wrote in an email. “Stand tall, make eye contact with the coyote, and shout at it. You also can throw something at it.”
While Becar said this will often scare a coyote away, if it doesn’t, you should try to bother the coyote as much as possible.
“Make loud noises, wave sticks, squirt it with a hose, or otherwise ‘haze’ the coyote if it approaches. This ‘humane hazing’ can help re-establish the coyote’s natural fear of people,” Becar said.
Only after you try that does Becar recommend retreating.
“Walk calmly away from the coyote, without turning your back to it,” Becar said. “Maintain eye contact and your assertive stature.”
In the event that a coyote is actively posing a threat to a person, the Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends calling 911.
When and where are coyote sightings most common?
According to Becar, you’ll have a tough time finding an area in Washington that’s completely free of coyotes.
“Coyotes are present across nearly all of Washington state, from the shrubsteppe to the alpine, as well as many urban and suburban areas,” Becar said. “They are common in many larger, wooded green spaces and parks within cities including Seattle and Spokane.”
Seattle’s University of Washington campus has seen the animals on campus for years, and the city’s Woodland Park Zoo runs an Urban Carnivore Project to track coyotes and other carnivorous animals.
Coyotes are present year-round as well, although Becar said sightings tend to peak during spring.
“Sightings and potential conflict may increase during pupping season, which is February through July,” Becar said.
While coyotes as a whole aren’t nocturnal, you’re most likely to see one at night, especially in urban areas.
“Coyotes are most active at night and during the early-morning and evening hours,” Becar said.
How do you keep pets safe from coyotes?
Coyotes feed on small animals, meaning they occasionally pose a risk to household pets that are left out. If you live in an area where coyotes are common, there are plenty of steps you can take to minimize any risk of harm.
“If there are coyotes in your area, you can minimize the risk of conflict by keeping cats inside, keeping dogs leashed, feeding pets indoors, (and) avoiding early morning and late evening walks with your pet,” Becar said.
She added that not giving food to wild animals, either intentionally or by throwing food away in a manner that gives animals easy access to it, also decreases your risk of encountering a coyote.
