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Bear-Resistant Products Testing Program

Avoiding Conflicts with Coyotes and Bobcats

Coyotes | Bobcats

 

Avoiding Conflicts with Coyotes

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are highly adaptable predators that have managed to maintain healthy numbers in the Lower 48 States of America despite widespread efforts to eradicate them.  Coyotes are still viewed as pests by many people and are removed by wildlife managers as nuisance animals or are removed by coyote hunters.

Many people enjoy watching coyotes though, and do not mind having them nearby.  Coyotes can adapt well to living near people and don't usually pose a threat to us.  If you live in an area inhabited by coyotes, these tips can help you avoid conflicts with them.

  • Coyotes with pups can be aggressive and have been known to bite when a person gets to close to the den.
  • Coyote pups are cute, but they are wild animals and typically do not make good pets.
  • Coyotes can contract rabies and may be aggressive or appear disoriented when infected.  AVOID ANIMALS EXHIBITING THESE SYMPTOMS and report the situation to your local wildlife agency immediately.
  • Keep pets inside when you're not nearby.  Coyotes have been known to prey on cats and even small dogs.  
  • Keep chickens and rabbits securely penned up at night. You might consider putting an electric fence up around chicken coops and animal cages/pens.
  • Do not feed coyotes - feeding them or other wildlife can result in "habituation" or a loss of the animals' natural fear of people.  It can also result in "food conditioning," a condition that results when wild animals begin to associate humans with food sources.
  • Keep in mind that gardens or plants that attract rabbits and rodents may also end up attracting coyotes.

 

Avoiding Conflicts with Bobcats

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are small, wild cats with short tails, and are slightly larger than your average house cat (they weigh 15-35 pounds).  Despite their small size, bobcats can be feisty and dangerous. The following tips will help reduce potential conflicts with bobcats.

  • keep cats inside if possible.
  • plants that attract rabbits and rodents may result in attracting bobcats to your property as well.
  • walled subdivisions that get frequent bobcat visitors might consider installing an electric fence around the wall of the subdivision to discourage bobcats. 
  • bobcats can become rabid and are especially bold and aggressive when they are rabid.  Animals that appear sickly or aggressive should be reported to the local game department immediately.
  • keep your pets vaccinations up-to-date - this will help ensure that they won't contact any disease if they do happen to come in contact with a sick bobcat.