Coyotes in Point Venture

1. Do not feed coyotes, deer or other wildlife!

2. Eliminate sources of water.

3. Position bird feeders so that coyotes can't get the feed. Coyotes are attracted by bread, table scraps, and even seed. They may also be attracted by birds and rodents that come to the feeders. They are also attracted to deer feed.

4. Do not discard edible garbage where coyotes can get to it.

5. Secure garbage containers and eliminate garbage odors.

6. Feed pets indoors whenever possible. Pick up any leftovers if feeding outdoors. Store pet food where it is inaccessible to wildlife.

7. Trim and clean, near ground level, any shrubbery that provides hiding cover for coyotes or prey.

8. Don't leave small children unattended outside if coyotes have been frequenting the area.

9. Don't allow pets to run free. Keep them safely confined and provide secure nighttime housing for them. Walk your dog on a leash and accompany your pet outside, especially at night.

10. If you start seeing coyotes around your home or property, chase them away by shouting, making loud noises or throwing rocks. Carrying a stick, baseball bat or a golf club will also scare them away.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_wscoyote.html

http://www.fundwildlife.org/coexist/coyotes.html

Coyote facts
The coyote is found throughout North America. Coyotes can live just about anywhere, and as humans expand their living areas and coyotes expand their range as well, contact is inevitable. Most of the time, coyotes go out of their way to avoid humans, but their behavior has started to change in some areas, including in parts of Austin.

Coyotes are discovering that the urban environment provides a variety of sources of food. Resourceful and adaptable as coyotes are, they will take advantage of this when they can.

A true scavenger, the coyote will eat just about anything. Identified as a killer of sheep, poultry and deer, the coyote will also eat snakes and foxes, doughnuts and sandwiches, rodents and rabbits, fruits and vegetables, birds, frogs, grass and grasshoppers, pet cats and cat food, pet dogs and dog food, carrion and just plain garbage.

The most serious problem with the urbanization of coyotes is that the animals have become used to being around people. As they lose their fear of people, they become bolder in approaching people.

Coyotes are active mainly during the nighttime, but they can be moving at any time during the day. Most sightings of coyotes occur during the hours close to sunrise and sunset.

It is doubtful that the coyote problem will go away. However, the problem can be managed and the threat substantially reduced.