Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

From the perspective of a private wildlife control operator, I share experiences and advice in dealing with problem urban coyotes, including strategies to deal with municipalities, the public, and the media. New technologies, such as geographic mapping programs, help identify habitats where problem coyotes are likely sheltering during daytime, and where capture equipment can be installed. Remote cameras are invaluable in surveillance of potential trap sites for non-target animals, and in monitoring traps sets so captured animals can be removed quickly. Necropsies should be done to evaluate the health of problem coyotes taken. Intentional feeding may cause coyotes to become aggressive toward pets and people, even in autumn when coyotes are typically less territorial. I discuss why I do not typically encourage residents to conduct hazing on urban coyotes, and why relocation of problem coyotes is not advisable and is often illegal. Professionals who conduct urban coyote control have an opportunity to help educate the public about scientifically-based wildlife management, and how to deal with problem coyotes. Web sites, news releases, and public service announcements can all be useful educational tools.