Is hazing a coyote considered a form of harassment?

No. Hazing, otherwise known as “Aversive Conditioning,” is a process used to teach the coyote to fear humans.  It is a good thing in that its intent is to save the animal’s life.  When coyotes become too habituated, and lose their natural fear of humans, they can become a threat to public safety.  Basically, “A Fed Coyote is a Dead Coyote”.  Some urban coyotes become comfortable in close proximity to people.  To safely coexist it’s important to modify this behavior.  Urban coyote behavior needs to be reshaped to encourage coyotes to avoid contact with humans and pets.  Hazing is the process that facilitates this change and is by necessity a community response to encounters with coyotes.  Hazing employs immediate use of deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage undesirable behavior or activity.  Deterrents include loud noises, spraying water, bright lights, throwing objects and shouting.  Hazing does not harm or damage animals, humans or property.  Behavioral change also involves human activities such as how to identify and remove attractants and how to responsibly protect pets.

Intentionally or unintentionally providing food for coyotes causes the coyote to lose their fear of humans and become habituated. This leads to changing the coyote’s feeding behavior causing them to become dependent on humans for food; increasing habituation, leading the coyote to its eventual death.

Show All Answers

1. Are coyotes considered a protected species?
2. As a home or property owner, can I trap a nuisance coyote that is coming onto my property?
3. If I hire a trapper what are the legal requirements?
4. Can a Home-Owner Association (HOA) legally hire a trapper?
5. Can female coyotes be trapped, neutered and released back into wild to reduce the number of their offspring?
6. Can coyotes be relocated?
7. Is hazing a coyote considered a form of harassment?
8. How do humans affect coyote behavior?
9. Does the CDFW rehabilitate injured wildlife?
10. Where did you get this information?