Coyotes are found in urban areas throughout North America, including Oakville. Seeing a coyote in Oakville is not necessarily cause for alarm. Coyotes are not considered a significant risk to people. They are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible, however they are wild animals and we should avoid contact. Most negative coyote interactions are preventable.
When we are aware and knowledgeable of our wildlife and we act responsibly and respectfully, it is easier to coexist.
Hazing, also known as aversion conditioning, is an effective method used to encourage coyotes to move away and can assist in restoring their natural fear of humans.
Hazing can assist in establishing and maintaining healthy, respectful, and safe boundaries between people and wildlife. Hazing, when done correctly, can help correct unwanted coyote behaviour such as approaching people, which is often associated with food conditioning.
* food/human conditioning increases a coyote's proximity to people because of the food reward. It provides a false trust that it's ok to approach, come closer, hang around a parking lot or public space, grab at a bag, hand, etc. Thus "demand behaviour" may be observed.
STOP. Keep dogs on a short leash. Pick up small dogs. Do not let your dog approach the coyote. MAKE YOURSELF BIG. Stand tall, wave your arms above your head. Surprise gestures work best.
BE LOUD AND ASSERTIVE. Shout “Go Away!”, stomp your feet, clap your hands. Carry a noise maker to scare off the coyote. Some examples include:
SLOWLY BACK AWAY. Maintain eye contact and continue to be loud and assertive. Never run from a coyote (or stray dog).
Be mindful that coyotes that have never experienced humane hazing may not immediately respond. If the coyote backs away a short distance and stops or looks back at you, continue to humanely haze until the coyote has left the area.
It is important not to haze a sick or injured coyote. If you encounter one, please contact the Oakville & Milton Humane Society to report your observations.
Hazing should not be done near denning areas, adults with pups, or when a coyote has a food resource.
Report coyote sightings and activity through our coyote reporting form. The form is now compatible with mobile devices and allows users to upload pictures and video of sightings and post to social media.
If there is an immediate risk to safety call 911 as the reporting system is not designed to respond to these types of calls.
Mange is circulating in some coyote populations in Oakville which has led to these animals frequenting residential neighbourhoods to seek warmth and find easy food such as birdseed and garbage. Mange is not a threat to humans or pets and does not directly lead to increased aggression.
Through the coyote reporting form, the town is working with the Oakville Humane Society to assist them in locating and treating infected coyotes.
Visit the coyote sightings map to learn where coyotes have been observed. This mapping reflects reported sightings and is not meant to indicate the number of coyotes present or a complete profile of where coyotes are present in Oakville. It provides the town and residents with useful information on understanding where the possibility of encountering a coyote may be more prevalent.
Learn more about wildlife-proofing your property.
The town’s coyote hazing video explains what to do if you encounter a coyote on your property, and shows you how to haze or scare them away.
If embraced by the entire community, repeated hazing ensures coyotes maintain their fear of humans and know our homes are off limits.
Hazing, also known as aversion conditioning, is an effective method used to encourage coyotes to move away and can assist in restoring their natural fear of humans.
Hazing can assist in establishing and maintaining healthy, respectful, and safe boundaries between people and wildlife. Hazing, when done correctly, can help correct unwanted coyote behaviour such as approaching people, which is often associated with food conditioning.
* food/human conditioning increases a coyote's proximity to people because of the food reward. It provides a false trust that it's ok to approach, come closer, hang around a parking lot or public space, grab at a bag, hand, etc. Thus "demand behaviour" may be observed.
STOP. Keep dogs on a short leash. Pick up small dogs. Do not let your dog approach the coyote. MAKE YOURSELF BIG. Stand tall, wave your arms above your head. Surprise gestures work best.
BE LOUD AND ASSERTIVE. Shout “Go Away!”, stomp your feet, clap your hands. Carry a noise maker to scare off the coyote. Some examples include:
SLOWLY BACK AWAY. Maintain eye contact and continue to be loud and assertive. Never run from a coyote (or stray dog).
Be mindful that coyotes that have never experienced humane hazing may not immediately respond. If the coyote backs away a short distance and stops or looks back at you, continue to humanely haze until the coyote has left the area.
It is important not to haze a sick or injured coyote. If you encounter one, please contact the Oakville & Milton Humane Society to report your observations.
Hazing should not be done near denning areas, adults with pups, or when a coyote has a food resource.
Coyotes tend to be more visible during the spring – more sightings, more interactions with dogs, more shadowing (or following) of people.
The reason for the increased visibility is due to denning and pupping season, the time of year when coyotes are both more active around and protective of their den sites.
While hazing usually works to frighten off a coyote, it doesn’t always work during the spring when there is a den and pups to defend.
The Urban Coyote Initiative states:
“If a coyote seems intent on defending a certain area, particularly around pupping season, your best bet may be to alter your route to avoid conflict with a normally calm animal.”
Vocalizations in the form of yipping and howling may become more common during this time as they communicate with one another as they seek a mate.
Research shows wildlife relocated from urban areas usually return or become a problem elsewhere.
In addition, when coyotes are hunted or lethally destroyed, remaining ones compensate by producing larger litters and expanding their range. Only in rare cases where an individual coyote is demonstrating unusual or aggressive behaviour or severe trauma or illness do animal control agencies attempt to capture coyotes.
If a coyote poses an immediate threat to safety, call 911.
Contact the Oakville and Milton Humane Society at 905-845-1551 if you encounter a coyote you believe to be sick or injured.
Learning more about the wildlife we share our community with can help us coexist more peacefully.