Coyote FAQ for Arizona Residents

This is general information, not veterinary, medical or legal advice. For an injured or aggressive animal, a bite, a pet attack or a suspected rabies exposure, call your doctor, your vet, local animal control, or the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).

Reviewed by the editorial desk against the cited sources. The desk holds no wildlife-biology, veterinary or medical credential; see our editorial policy. Checked on 2026-11-14.

How to use this FAQ

This is the hub for common coyote questions. Each answer is short and cites an agency or university source. Where the agencies we are allowed to cite do not say something, we say so instead of guessing. Longer guides sit behind each topic, and the list near the bottom links to every one.

Three things come up in nearly every answer. Do not feed wildlife, because agencies tie most problems to food. Keep pets supervised and leashed, because pets are the animals most often at risk. And when in doubt about an animal that looks sick or aggressive, keep your distance and call the agency instead of acting yourself.

Quick answers

What is the single most useful thing a household can do?

Remove food. University of Arizona Extension says the root of most human-wildlife conflict is food and that being responsible about bird feeders, garbage and pet food is the best way to prevent conflicts. See our yard attractant audit for a printable list.

Is it normal to see a coyote near a neighborhood?

Pima County says coyotes, bobcats and javelina are common visitors to neighborhoods in the Tucson area. Seeing one is not itself an emergency. A coyote that approaches people, or one that looks unwell, is a reason to keep your distance and call.

What does “hazing” mean, and who should do it?

Hazing means making a coyote uncomfortable so it keeps its natural fear of people. AZGFD’s brochure describes making loud noises, and the UC IPM notes describe shouting in a deep voice, waving your arms and backing away slowly without turning your back. We describe only these methods. Never haze a sick-looking, cornered, denning or pup-protecting coyote.

Does coyote season matter?

The UC IPM notes say to be especially attentive during pup-rearing season (March through August) and that coyotes are more likely to attack dogs during that season if dogs come too near a den. That is a California publication from 2007. We did not find an Arizona agency page we could cite for exact dates, so treat the months as a general guide and ask AZGFD about your area. See our pet safety by season guide.

What should I do after any contact with a wild animal?

Wash any wound right away with soap and water for 15 minutes, contact a doctor or your health department, and tell them what kind of animal was involved, per the CDC. For a pet, call your vet and local animal control.

The rules, checked 2026-11-14

Arizona’s unlawful feeding law, ARS 13-2927, covers feeding, attracting or otherwise enticing wildlife in counties of more than 280,000 people and is a petty offense; birds and tree squirrels are excepted. AZGFD’s brochure says the fine can be up to $300 and that criminal nuisance (ARS 13-2908) can add up to $500. The brochure is from 2018, so read the statute and confirm with AZGFD.

Find your answer by topic

• Who to call: Who to call in Pima County and Arizona and Pima County animal control and wildlife calls
• Green Valley: Green Valley coyote resources
• Understanding coyotes: Coyote information for Arizona homeowners
• Pets and children: Protect pets and children from coyotes
• Encounters: How to handle a coyote sighting
• Yard and home: Managing coyotes around Arizona homes
• Reporting: Our sighting report form
• Official summaries and links: Pest notes, resources and links, gallery, press
• Tools: Free coyote safety tools, including the yard attractant audit, pet safety by season guide and encounter report builder

What this FAQ will not tell you

We do not give instructions for trapping, poisoning, shooting or relocating coyotes, and we do not tell you whether a particular animal is sick. Those questions belong with AZGFD, local animal control, a veterinarian or a doctor.