Coyotes usually steer clear of people, but sometimes one gets bold. If you ever find yourself staring down an aggressive coyote, you’ve gotta know what to do.
Don’t run—stand tall, make noise, and try to scare the coyote away by shouting and waving your arms. Running just flips a switch in their brain and makes things worse.
If the coyote keeps coming, throw sticks or rocks at it while you keep facing it. Don’t turn your back.
Stay as calm as you can and, if it attacks, fight back with whatever you’ve got—tools, fists, whatever’s handy. These steps can help you keep safe if you ever run into a coyote that’s not backing down.
How to React During a Coyote Attack
If a coyote attacks, you need to stay focused and act fast to protect yourself. Try to keep your emotions in check and make yourself look bigger.
Defend yourself and guard your most vulnerable spots. It’s not easy, but you’ve got to give it your best shot.
Stay Calm and Avoid Panicking
When you face an aggressive coyote, the first thing you need to do is stay calm. If you panic, you might bolt, and that’s exactly what the coyote wants.
Take a breath and steady yourself. Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms, opening your jacket, or holding a backpack overhead.
Keep your eyes on the coyote. Don’t turn away.
Speak in a loud, strong voice. Tell it to go away.
Avoid high-pitched sounds—they just make you sound like prey. Stay on your feet and back away slowly, always facing the coyote.
Defend Yourself Effectively
If the coyote won’t leave, you’ll have to defend yourself. Throw sticks, rocks, or whatever you can grab.
Try to scare it, not hurt it. Keep your eyes on the coyote and don’t crouch down.
If it actually attacks, fight back with everything you’ve got. Use your fists, feet, or anything you’re carrying.
Aim for its nose and eyes. Shout as loud as you can.
If you have a backpack, swing it to keep the coyote away from you. Don’t ever play dead—coyotes see that as weakness.
Show it you’re not easy prey by fighting back.
Protect Vulnerable Areas
During an attack, protect your vital spots—neck, face, throat, and stomach. Use your arms or hands to shield those areas.
If you can, curl into a ball and cover your head and neck. If you’re with kids, pick them up right away.
Keep pets close and on short leashes. Coyotes often go after smaller targets.
Try to stay on your feet. Falling makes you more vulnerable.
If something’s nearby, use it as a barrier between you and the coyote.
Post-Attack Actions and Preventing Future Encounters
After a coyote attack, act quickly to protect your health and help prevent more incidents. What you do next really matters for your recovery and for keeping others safe.
You should also let local authorities know about the attack so they can keep track of coyote activity and warn the community.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
If a coyote bites or scratches you, wash the wounds right away with soap and water. Even small bites can get infected or spread disease.
Head to a doctor or ER as soon as you can. You might need a tetanus shot or rabies vaccine.
Rabies is rare, but it’s nothing to mess with. Tell the medical staff what happened and how the coyote acted.
That helps them figure out the best treatment and lets health officials know what’s going on. Watch the bite for swelling, redness, or pus, and do what your doctor tells you.
Report the Incident to Authorities
Call your local animal control or wildlife agency right away. They track coyote attacks to keep people safe.
Give details like where and when it happened, what the coyote looked like, and how it behaved. That info helps officials decide if the animal is dangerous or sick.
Reporting helps protect your neighbors and lets wildlife experts keep an eye on the area. If you spot more coyotes acting weird after the attack, report those too.
Tips to Deter Coyotes and Stay Safe
Whenever you’re outside, pay close attention to what’s happening around you—especially if you’ve heard about coyotes in the area.
Make some noise if you spot a coyote nearby. Shout, clap your hands, or blow a whistle. Try waving your arms too; it might make you look bigger and more intimidating.
Stick close to your kids and pets. If you’re worried, bring something you can toss, like a rock or a stick, just in case a coyote gets too curious.
Don’t leave food, pet dishes, or trash sitting out. Coyotes love an easy meal, so keep garbage in animal-proof bins.
If you’re heading into spots where coyotes hang out, maybe don’t go alone. Walking with others usually makes you less of a target.
Want more ideas or detailed steps? There’s a bit more info here about what to do during a coyote encounter.
