Coyotes and a BB gun - I need advice

[hedgehog]

I haven't had any problems yet. The coyotes generally stay out back in the woods, well away from the house. I don't want to kill them, just scare them away from the yard if they get bolder. I have some vague notions about rock salt. Anyone have any advice for something that will sting but not cause permanent problems for the beast?

[hlthe2b]

1. Neighborhood dogs (large) seem to be doing the trick for us...

While I see one come through the neighborhood at night--heading into the open space fields on either side, they don't linger--even though the bushes and under-deck areas of these houses are sanctuaries for wild rabbits and we are nearly overrun with them. But when I hear the neighbor's lab or the large mixed breed on the other side bark at night, I inevitably see a coyote pick up the pace to run through.

Of course little dogs and cats allowed outside are another story....

I'm glad you are looking for a non-lethal solution, though.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Where I am, the coyotes kill dogs regardless of size unless the cougars get to them first

[firenewt]

2. A paintball gun solved my problem with neighborhood dogs crapping in my yard. Worth a try.

[gejohnston]

4. some ideas.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CE8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fws.gov%2Fsachuestpoint%2Fimages%2FNews%2FDeptofWildlifeTips-ExclusionsDeterrentsandRepellents0110.pdf&ei=GeLMUO7uCoXM9gSP8YBo&usg=AFQjCNGlioRtEFNez4vUB3oIs7HUVJzf3Q&sig2=frRkh3wYz0Ws7AzuvsYY6A&bvm=bv.1355325884,d.eWU
the link is a pdf that may or may not open for you. Here is a excerpt

The following items may help repel or deter coyotes away from your yard. Some items are squirted through
squirt bottles or placed on rags and placed in the area(s) you want the animal(s) repelled from. Others are just
placed out periodically if coyotes begin to frequent an area.
Radios, strobe lights, sirens or odor deterrents may help deter the presence of coyotes:
 Electronic Guard EG consists of strobe lights and sirens run by a timer. Produced by the United States
Department of Agriculture Wildlife Research Center to protect sheep from coyote predation.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_wseguard.html
 Human scent (cologne/perfume). Must be re-applied over time/after rain.
 The Guardian TM deterrent emits different noise frequencies to ward off unwanted wildlife.
http://www.pestrepellerultimate.com/guardian.htm
 Ammonia-soaked rags or apply to an area with a squirt bottle. Must be re-applied
over time/after rain.
 Motion lighting, strobe lighting, and blinking holiday lights.

http://icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/coyotes.asp

otherwise, pepper spray. Works great on any canine from what I can find.

[Vincardog]

5. IMO piss is the best defense. Have a beer party and piss all over the place you don't want them

It worked on coyotes and wolves in N. TX

[ConcernedCanuk]

14. Male human piss works for bears, not sure about other species.

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I've camped in bear country for decades, never ever had a problem with bears, although I've seen a few near my campsite, but they always veered away.

Made it a point to urinate around the perimeter of my campsite -

Being a beer hound, didn't take long. And - save my overnight potty to spread around the perimeter.

NEVER had a bear venture close to that perimeter.

Also, until recently I lived on a farm for 6 years in a trailer without facilities, 50 feet away from my landlady's farmhouse. Anyhoo, I would empty my pee-pot in different places between my trailer, bird feeders and the bush. Again, never a bear anywhere near.

However, across the road are seven dwellings that constantly had bear problems, got so severe the game wardens put a trap in one yard directly across the road, and caught one bear.

The bears did not walk anywhere near the dwellings on the farm to get there - they walked AROUND them.

Coincidence??

I think not.

CC

[beam me up scottie]

6. Firecrackers.

Or more powerful fireworks if you can get them, scares the fur off of them.

*good advice from another DUer, can't remember who, I didn't like the idea of shooting the rifle in the dark, too many domestic critters around and it kicks like a mule.

Luckily, it turns out our draft-cross gelding Jack hates dogs and will stomp the hell out of any canine that comes into the pasture.

[gejohnston]

11. not a fan of gun shots in the air for any reason

what goes up, must come down. Where does it land?

[toby jo]

7. I've heard gunshots work best - I just get along,

but then we're pretty far out.

I've also got a few big drafts, the Belgian hates dogs & I'm sure she kicks ass on the coyotes when they hit the fields.

The night before dear season (shot gun) I was down in the hollow checking for tree stands, and did a little brush burning while at it.
After dark I remembered that the last few nights the coyotes have been heard singing down in the hollow - same one. The dogs had gone off after some dear kill (bow) and I was alone. Well all of a sudden I got the creeps. So I picked up and hauled out of there. As soon as I hit the top of the hill they checked in - howling their asses off. It was a pretty clear "This is our territory, bug off".

Nobody's ever been hurt our way, and they say they keep the fields pretty clean of little critters, like ground hogs and whatnot. But that night was a little close for comfort.

If you're going to shoot, shoot into the ground I'm told, I guess the noise is what gets em, and nothing innocent takes a hit that way.

[hedgehog]

8. I'm wondering now if an old style toy cap pistol may be enough.

[beam me up scottie]

9. In some cases clapping my hands has scattered them.

But they're usually pretty close to me when I do that.

I've been thinking about getting an airhorn, at close range I don't think they'll forget that sound anytime soon.

[hedgehog]

10. That's an idea I'll try!

[guardian]

12. It would probably work okay

A decent powered BB gun will sting a lot even at a distance. It should be enough to chase it away and make coming around your property an unpleasant experience. It may take 2 or 3 'lessons'.

BTW aim for the flanks/butt to avoid hitting an eye.

[womanofthehills]

13. My dog barks and I yell at them

My dog knows how far to stay away from them and barks like mad. As soon as they start howling my cat slinks low to the grown and comes in thru the doggie door. I just start yelling at them and they stay back from the house.

Every once in a while a huge pack comes thru howling all at once. The packs come thru at dawn and dusk but during the day I sometimes see a lone coyote.