Hudson City Council asked staff to develop an Urban Coyote Management Plan in response to increased concerns about coyotes in Hudson. The plan, initially prepared by Geoff Westerfield of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife and customized for use by the City of Hudson, details how to coexist with coyotes and outlines strategies to help prevent potential coyote encounters.
Coyotes are common in Hudson and in Ohio in general. Physical encounters between coyotes and humans are extremely rare, and we tend to coexist peacefully. However, it is important to know how to identify a nuisance or aggressive coyote and what to do if one is encountered. Hudson’s Coyote Management Plan details what are considered unusual behaviors for coyotes and the steps a resident should take if the behaviors are observed. Visit www.hudson.oh.us/Coyotes for the detailed action plan.
Coyotes often are attracted to property due to food, water, and shelter opportunities. Minimizing these coyote attractants is the best way to reduce the possibility of coyotes using residential properties. Hudson’s Coyote Plan includes a Yard Audit Checklist for residents to assess if they need to make property modifications to discourage coyotes from their yard. Review the checklist at www.hudson.oh.us/Coyotes.
The City of Hudson consulted wildlife professionals about coyote management before choosing an appropriate management plan. It was found that culling coyotes is not an effective form of management. It is more effective to deter them from your property and to learn how to spot a nuisance or aggressive coyote and what to do when you observe one. For more information about coyotes in Hudson, visit www.hudson.oh.us/Coyotes.
