If I see a coyote in Fort Worth, can I shoot it? What to know about encountering these predators
As if animals crawling into your home wasn’t enough to worry about during the North Texas winter, now is the time you might have to look out for predators roaming around your neighborhood.
It is now coyote mating season in North Texas. You can expect to see these wily animals roaming around and looking for food until the end of March.
If you have never seen a coyote before, they resemble a German Shepherd-sized dog. Some mistake the animal for a fox or wolf. But what makes coyotes distinct is their bushy, black-tip tails, erect ears and yellow eyes.
Residents should be aware of peak coyote season because the creatures can eat just about anything, including your pets. Especially once coyote pups are born in April and May, the male will hunt and bring home enough food to feed the whole family.
Coyotes are a much more frequent sight in North Texas than bobcats and mountain lions. They have a keen sense of survival, which helps them adapt to pretty much any environment — like the suburbs.
So if you see a coyote in your neighborhood, here is what you should do.
What time of day are coyotes most active?
Coyotes are active all day long, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Though they are nocturnal, they will still hunt at any time. Just before sunrise and sunset are peak activity times, so stay on guard if you are walking your dog during twilight.
During the winter, coyotes hunt more during the day, since it is warmer.
Where do coyotes roam?
Coyotes will roam anywhere there is food.
Even if you do not have a pet, you could still be attracting the predators with your trash cans. Leaving out unsecured food or even bird feeders can lure a coyote.
Since Covid, Dallas Animal Services has observed an increase in wildlife. They think that animals have become more comfortable with roaming around throughout the day due to a lack of people out and about during the pandemic.
On top of this, coyotes also associate humans with food sources (trash or pets) which makes them bolder while interacting with suburbia. They pose a low threat to humans, but it is best to avoid them.
What do I do if a coyote approaches me?
According to Urban Coyote Research, this is what you should do if you encounter a coyote:
Shout or throw something in its direction.
Do not run away.
If possible, bring some sort of noise maker with you (whistle, shaker) and use if approached.
Yell and wave your arms to look bigger.
If you see a coyote that is acting aggressively, alert local authorities. The Fort Worth Animal Care & Control number is 817-392-1234.
Can I shoot a coyote?
Texas state law allows for the shooting of coyotes if they kill a pet or livestock.
Texas Health and Safety Code section 822.013 states that if a coyote attacks or has recently attacked other animals, the coyote may be killed by:
Any person witnessing the attack.
The attacked animal’s owner or a person acting on behalf of the owner if the owner or person has knowledge of the attack.
Under this circumstance, one would not need a hunting license to kill the coyote.