I actually wrote a bit about this in another thread, but once more might help. We lost Gigio to a coyote in our yard in December. It was heartbreaking but it did force us into a proactive stance with our City. For information purposes, coyotes can scale a 6' fence with relative ease. Depending on their size, probably a bit higher, too.
A few preventative steps for everyone. Walk outside on a leash only. Wear a referee whistle around your neck. Carry a cowbell or any noisemaker. Carry a bright LED style flashlight at night. Maybe a walking stick or a 7 iron. Pepper spray will work if you are close, but you don't want to be that close. If you see one, harass it, make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and yelling at it. If it does not scare, DO NOT turn your back on it but back your way to a safer place.
Some counties allow shooting a paintball at it. Some counties allow shooting it in your own yard or property. Coyotes are sneaky and lazy predators so you have to make it harder for them. Get rid of the bird feeders which attract birds and rodents to your yard. Clean up any fallen fruit from your trees. Close any garbage can or dumpster lids tightly.
Try motion sensing security lights on your house or in warmer weather, motion sensing sprinklers. A can filled with noisemaking gravel or rocks will often scare them. But if it has been easy for them to eat in a certain location, they will come back. In the Western US it is now breeding season, so they will come out of their dens for a meal. Watch where you are walking.
If all this fails, work with your city government to put together a Coyote Management Plan, especially if there is not one already in place. It's a vital document that will help identify problem situations and help the city generate a measured and graduated response to the coyote threat. They are a tough problem this year in many parts of front range Colorado. I wish you the best in protecting your little ones. |