Coyotes are a permanent fixture across the entire state of Virginia. The presence of this highly adaptable predator is a relatively recent development, but they are now found in every county and municipality, ranging from the remote Blue Ridge Mountains to the dense urban centers of the Commonwealth. The animals occupying Virginia are often referred to as the Eastern Coyote, a hybrid canine that is larger than its western counterpart.
The Arrival and Spread of Coyotes in Virginia
Coyotes are not native to Virginia and began their eastward expansion from the Great Plains decades ago, eventually colonizing the state. The first verified sightings in Virginia occurred in the western mountains during the late 1970s and early 1980s, marking the beginning of their permanent establishment. Their migration was made possible largely by the absence of their primary competitors, the gray and red wolves, which had been eliminated from the region by the early 20th century.
The expansion followed two main routes: a southern movement and a northern trajectory through the Great Lakes region. The Eastern Coyote population in Virginia is genetically unique because northern travelers interbred with remaining Great Lakes wolves, resulting in a larger, more robust animal often containing genetic material from western coyotes, eastern wolves, and domestic dogs. Coyotes are now distributed throughout the Commonwealth, utilizing natural travel corridors like river drainages and open farmlands to thrive in both rural and increasingly urbanized environments.
Coyote Ecology and Behavior
The Eastern Coyote is a medium-sized canid, typically weighing between 30 and 45 pounds, though some larger males can reach up to 60 pounds, significantly heavier than their western relatives. These animals are highly adaptive omnivores. Their diet shifts seasonally and regionally, consisting primarily of small mammals such as voles, rabbits, and mice, but also including white-tailed deer fawns, insects, fruits, and carrion.
Coyotes generally live in territorial family units composed of a mated pair, the current year’s pups, and sometimes offspring from a previous litter. While they are often described as nocturnal, coyotes are more accurately classified as crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. However, they may be observed during the day, especially during the spring and summer months when they are actively foraging to feed their litters of two to twelve pups.
Coexisting with Coyotes: Safety and Prevention
The best strategy for minimizing conflict with coyotes is to avoid providing them with food sources or denning opportunities near human residences. Because coyotes are opportunistic, they can quickly lose their natural wariness of humans if they become accustomed to finding easy meals. Securing all potential attractants is the most effective preventative measure homeowners can take.
All garbage should be kept in secure, animal-proof containers and only placed outside on the morning of collection. Pet food bowls should never be left outside, and outdoor feeding of feral cats or other wildlife should be discontinued, as it attracts both the prey and the coyotes themselves. Homeowners should also clear brushy areas close to the house and close up any openings under porches or sheds that could be used as den sites.
Protecting pets requires direct supervision and vigilance, as small dogs and cats may be viewed as potential prey. Small pets should always be leashed when walked and brought indoors at night, particularly between January and June when coyotes are mating and raising pups.
If a coyote is observed near a home, hazing techniques should be employed to reinforce their natural fear of people. This involves making yourself appear large, yelling, waving your arms, and throwing inedible objects like sticks or small stones in their direction. These actions teach the coyote that areas used by humans are undesirable.
Legal Status and State Management
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) classifies the coyote as a nuisance species, meaning it is not protected by state law. This classification provides landowners with broad latitude for management and removal. Coyotes can be hunted or trapped year-round across most of the state, with no closed season or bag limits on private property.
While a state-administered bounty does not exist, counties can establish their own local bounty programs to encourage population control. Local ordinances and licensing requirements must always be followed, and hunters are directed to consult their Commonwealth Attorney’s office for specific legal methods of removal. This regulatory framework reflects a management philosophy focused on reducing conflict.