Coyotes are popping up more in SC lately. Here’s why and how to keep them away from your home
In the winter, hunter Brian Floyd’s phone is flooded with calls from South Carolina residents with coyotes on their property.
“Mainly it’s farmers I get the calls from. And it could be from you know digging around on their chicken houses or poultry farms, or chewing on cow’s tails, or killing the calves or sheep, the North Carolina resident said.”
In the three days since Floyd offered his hunting and trapping services up to the public this season, he’s received 10 requests.
“I get residential people that call me from coyotes eating their pets or fighting with their pets,” he said.
If you have noticed coyotes in your yard, you’re not alone. Coyote sightings spike in the cooler months. Here’s why you’re encountering these predators in your neighborhood and how to keep them off your land.
Why are the coyotes in South Carolina?
Coyotes only came to South Carolina in the 1970’s – when they lost their native habitats in the Midwest, they migrated east. Since coyotes don’t have natural predators here, like wolves, they took hold.
Myrtle Beach’s rapid development has contributed to increased coyote sightings, said Jay Butfiloski, the Furbearer Project Leader with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. “As you get more people moving into the state, there’s more potential for interactions.”
Why do I see more coyotes in the winter?
Coyotes are especially active during cooler months, when food is sparse and young coyotes venture out on their own. Also, with fewer leaves on the trees, coyotes are more visible to humans.
How do I keep them from coming on my land?
The best way to get coyotes off your property is to avoid attracting them in the first place.
“Coyotes are very resourceful, so they are going to find food when they can,” Butfiloski said.
Spraying your property with homemade or store bought remedies can work temporarily, but if the coyotes are hungry enough, they’ll ignore the strong scent. Fences can deter coyotes, especially tall, wooden fences, but some animals will jump or dig under them.
Here are some tips to keep coyotes away:
Keep pets and pet food indoors. If your pets cannot go inside, put their food away overnight.
Take down your bird feeders. Coyotes will not only eat the birdseed but also the small animals.
Avoid keeping garbage outside and put trash out the morning of collection.
Can I hunt coyotes?
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources encourages hunting coyotes to protect the deer population. You do not need a license to shoot or trap a nuisance coyote within 100 yards of your house, as long as discharging a firearm is permitted in your area.
If you have a hunting license, you can hunt coyotes on private property year round. Trapping coyotes is allowed with a license during trapping season (Dec. 1 - March 1). For added incentive, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources tags a limited number of coyotes each year. If you shoot or trap a tagged coyote, you will receive a free lifetime hunting license.
In urban and suburban areas, check with your local ordinances before discharging a weapon.
This story was originally published December 14, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
