Coyotes are established across all of New York State, including its most densely populated areas. The highly adaptable Eastern Coyote has successfully colonized rural forests, suburban neighborhoods, and even the five boroughs of New York City. Understanding their presence and learning how to manage interactions is key to establishing comfortable coexistence.
Where Coyotes Live in New York
Coyotes inhabit virtually every county in New York, demonstrating an extraordinary ability to thrive in drastically different environments. In Upstate and rural regions, they utilize large tracts of forest, farmland, and open space, maintaining a traditional wild existence. Moving downstate, the species has successfully infiltrated the highly fragmented landscapes of suburban Westchester, Long Island, and the boroughs of New York City.
These urban and suburban coyotes use parklands, greenbelts, and industrial edges, establishing territories that offer both cover and abundant food sources. Small populations reside within the parks of the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan, including Central Park. Accessible food, such as rodents, unsecured garbage, and discarded pet food, allows them to maintain smaller home ranges compared to their rural counterparts.
The History of Their Arrival
The coyote’s colonization of New York began its eastward expansion from the central plains in the early 20th century. Evidence indicates that coyotes reached northern New York in the 1930s and 1940s, spreading rapidly across the state. This range expansion was primarily facilitated by the large-scale extirpation of gray and eastern wolves, which removed the coyote’s main competitor and predator from the northeastern landscape.
The Eastern Coyote is larger and more robust than its western ancestors. This difference is due to hybridization with remnant wolf populations in the Great Lakes region and, to a lesser extent, with domestic dogs. Genetic studies suggest the Eastern Coyote is a hybrid mix, which introduced adaptive variation. This variation contributed to their larger size and ability to hunt larger prey like deer, enabling rapid colonization of the eastern forests.
Safe Coexistence and Deterrence
Coexisting with coyotes relies on minimizing opportunities for them to associate human presence with an easy meal, preventing them from losing their natural fear of people. A primary step is to secure all potential food attractants around a home, including keeping pet food indoors and ensuring all garbage is stored in robust, tightly sealed containers. Bird feeders should be eliminated, as the spilled seed attracts rodents and other small mammals, which are primary prey for coyotes.
Protecting pets requires vigilance, especially for small dogs and cats, which are vulnerable to predation. Pets should always be supervised when outdoors, particularly at dusk and dawn when coyotes are most active. Physical barriers, such as fences that are at least four feet tall and extend six inches below ground, can help deter coyotes from entering a yard.
If a coyote is encountered at close range, the most effective technique is hazing, which involves using negative reinforcement to re-instill caution. Individuals should stand tall, wave their arms, and make loud noises to appear dominant and threatening. Throwing small objects like sticks or stones toward the coyote can also be effective in scaring it away if it lingers. Intentionally feeding coyotes is illegal, as it causes them to lose their natural wariness and leads to conflicts.