As with all wildlife management, the management techniques used depend on what the goals of a landowner are. Another factor to consider with coyotes is if they need to be managed at all given the realized amount of damage caused and how realistic effective management is of their populations.
Foothold trap (Photo by Andrew Jamison)
Lethal methods are one of the most common and most-tested methods of managing coyote damages. However, it is important to note that coyotes are a species known for their compensatory reproduction. This is a phenomenon where female coyotes produce more pups per litter as population density goes down. Because this can be counter-productive, it is important to gauge whether coyotes on the property are causing damages sufficient enough to justify the risk.
For example, if a landowner has only sightings of coyotes but no predation or harassment of livestock, it may be better to not remove that coyote from the property. This is due to the risk of a coyote moving onto the property from a neighboring territory that has experience hunting livestock. This scenario would be especially destructive for a landowner if it is a female, as she will likely teach this hunting strategy to her offspring. This becomes an increasingly difficult population to manage, as attempts to remove this population may result in a larger density of damage-producing individuals. Ultimately, it is important to consider whether a sighted individual is causing damage, as the landowner could unknowingly create a problem where there wasn’t one.
Of the management techniques, trapping is one of the oldest and best tested techniques. Foothold traps are often the trap of choice in South Carolina. As these traps do not kill the animal, individuals are legally required to check traps every 24 hours and dispatch the animal immediately.
Trap Placement
The placement of a trap is the most important part of any trapping effort. Trap placement ultimately depends on the set that is chosen, so it is imperative to be aware of the state and federal regulations for the type and placement of different trap types. Foothold traps are placed underground and on an even surface. The trap should always be hidden well to be effective. Use nearby dirt and vegetation to hide the trap. For trapping coyotes, it helps to place the trap up on a ridge in an open area. Also bear in mind wind direction. Coyotes will not be able to be lured to a trap if they cannot detect it in the first place. Use tracks and scat to interpret the behavior of the coyotes. Tracks can provide insight about the pathways they travel along. Scats can provide some details about their diet.
Trap Sets
A "set" refers to the placement of a trap and the tactics that are used to lure the coyote to the trap. There are several sets that can be used to effectively trap coyotes.
A scent post set uses the animals own behavior against it. Scent posts are areas used by coyotes to mark areas they frequent. The places they mark can be covered with coyote or dog urine which will likely prompt an investigation from the coyote. Scent posts can be found along trails coyotes frequent, so look for nearby coyote tracks.
Dirt-hole sets are exactly what they sound like, the trap is placed within a hole along a coyote's path of travel. These traps should be placed in a hole that is 3-5 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Look for intersecting trails for placement of a dirt-hole trap to maximize the chances of catching a coyote. Cover the trap with dirt, but make sure it will remain operational when stepped on. Traps can be disguised using vegetation and rocks from the surrounding area.
Flat sets are also used along coyote trails but they do not require any digging. These sets sit on top of the dirt and use objects from the area to deceive the coyotes. They can be covered with grass and other vegetation, or the trapper can employ extra creativity and hide them using objects such as cow patties.
The trail set, sometimes known as the blind set, is similar to the flat set in presentation. However, the blind set requires some strategic planning on the trapper's part. Try to envision the coyote's movements and how it might approach obstacles along the path it has been using. If the coyote must climb over a rock along the path, the trap can be placed on the other side of the obstacle so the coyote triggers the trap without being drawn in by scent. The trap simply intercepts the coyote along its route, it does not aim to pull the coyote away from its route through scent. The trail set is best implemented when the trapper can easily tell where the coyote travels frequently and the route the coyote takes has obstacles suitable for this set.
Regardless of the set used, each trap must be checked at least once every 24 hours. Keep this in mind when setting traps.
Attractants can enhance the effectiveness of traps when used correctly, and are usually used to trick the coyote into thinking there is an intruder in their territory. Attractants can also lure hungry coyotes in by smelling like potential food, sometimes scraps of meat are used too.
Shooting can be a good way to eliminate individual coyotes causing issues . Shooting is useful for anybody not comfortable or not willing to dedicate the time to trapping. Shooting can be done at night if a property is registered for night hunting through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Predator calls may be used to lure coyotes into an area suitable for shooting. Coyotes are clever animals, so use calls sparingly to ensure coyotes do not catch on. Using the calls too much may cause the coyotes to be cautious, which makes shooting them more challenging. As with many other game animals, be mindful of the wind. Coyotes have a strong sense of smell, so setting up downwind of where they are expected to show up can help mask the smell of humans.
Shooting may be effective at eliminating one coyote causing problems, but it will do little to reduce the overall population. Coyote populations are incredibly hard to reduce as a whole. When one is killed, more resources will be available to the others in the area. When coyotes have access to more resources, their litter size will increase. Shooting every coyote in a given area would be nearly impossible. Instead, consider exclusion methods or behavioral changes that can be made as a landowner to reduce the chances of conflict with coyotes.
Coyotes can be driven off in a variety of ways, though frightening them is not always effective. Coyotes are smart, they will learn over time that the frightening device cannot harm them. Coyotes can be frightened using visual displays or using sounds to startle them. Lights can be used with motion sensors to startle coyotes. Vehicles can be parked near areas of concern to keep the coyotes at bay. Vehicles can be moved periodically to give the animals a sense that the vehicle is in use regularly. Noise-making devices, such as portable speakers, can be used to play loud noises periodically. Coyotes can learn not to fear both audio and visual devices. Therefore, monitoring the effectiveness of the devices is important if they are deployed.
Some animals will naturally protect livestock from predators. Llamas and donkeys have been used to scare away would-be predators. Neither tolerates the presence of a predator and will defend the herd. Some of the most effective livestock guardians occupy the households of many South Carolinians already. Dogs have been used for livestock protection for quite some time. There are specific breeds that were created entirely with the purpose of protecting herds of livestock. The Great Pyrenees may be the breed most associated with this task. Great Pyrenees are large bodied dogs with a dense coat of hair. They are bred to patrol livestock pastures and can be seen protecting sheep, cows, and goats. The number of dogs used for protection depends on the density of predators in a given area. Guard dogs will roam and they may chase anything unfamiliar to them. They can chase humans and cars too. Nearby neighbors should be informed about the use of a livestock guardian dog in case the dog wanders onto their property. Steps should be taken to ensure the safety of the dog. Other management techniques should still be employed, but be mindful of the dogs. Dogs can get caught in traps just like a coyote can, so be mindful of trap placement where dogs are present.
Great Pyrenees laying near sheep (Photo by Adobe Stock)
Exclusion strategies, such as fencing, have been used to varying degrees of success. While it is unlikely that a fence will keep every coyote out, some coyotes may not even try to overcome a fence. Mesh should be less than 6 inches horizontally and less than 4 inches vertically to effectively keep coyotes out. Fences should be at least 5 ½ feet high so coyotes cannot jump over it. Barbed wire at the base of a fence or a buried wire apron can help deter coyotes from digging under the fence. Fencing can also be used to trap coyotes more effectively. Look for sections of fence that the coyotes use to enter a fenced area and place a trap on that route. Electric fences can be installed or existing fences can be electrified to increase their effectiveness.
(Photo by Adobe Stock)
There are several changes a landowner can make to reduce the chances of a coyote causing problems on a property. A property can be managed to make it less “coyote-friendly”. Coyotes are often found in areas where their prey is abundant. Making the property less appealing to prey species, such as rabbits, should reduce the appeal of a property to a coyote. Clearing any piles of debris or excessive vegetation will give the prey animals less places to hide. When prey animals are not present, there is less incentive for a coyote to access an area. Any carcasses, from livestock production or hunting, should be placed away from areas of concern. Coyotes will come in for an easy meal, which means a yard can quickly become a buffet.
(Photo by Adobe Stock)
