Coyotes can jump fences, but whether or not they will depend on how tall the fence is and whether it’s worth the effort. If you live in an area with a large population of coyotes and want to keep them out of your yard or paddock, you’ll need to invest in a good quality fence that’s tall and made from a rigid material.
Keep your yard clean, don’t leave trash lying around, and pick fruit off trees. Coyotes are generally wary of humans, but they will venture into yards if they can’t find a source of food elsewhere. If there’s no reason for a coyote to come into your yard, they will be less likely to do so. This article will look at how to keep coyotes out of your yard or paddock and will answer the question, ‘can coyotes jump a fence?’
Do coyotes jump fences?
Coyotes can jump or climb over fences; however, gates and fencing at least 5 feet high with smooth wire strands will usually prevent them from getting over. Coyotes are pretty agile and can jump quite high. However, they are more likely to squeeze underneath a fence or gate. Ensure there are no gaps underneath your fence if you want to keep coyotes out.
They have been known to jump in with livestock, and there are even examples of donkey’s killing coyotes.
The best thing to do is make your yard as unattractive as possible to coyotes; you can try adding spiky plants to the perimeter of the fence and chicken wire so that they can’t get through. You can also walk with a flashlight in the dusk hours to check for coyotes in your yard. They come out when it gets dark to hunt and once, they realize there are people about, will likely stay away from your yard.
Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything easy to catch or find. They will most likely come into your yard to look for food scraps. Remember that coyotes are just like any other wild animal; they will only come around if the benefits outweigh the risks (e.g., food, shelter). Keep birdseed off the ground, pick fruit from trees as soon as it ripens and remove fallen fruit that you don’t plan to harvest. Coyotes can jump your fence and get any food they find interesting.
If you feed your pets outside, ensure you clean up the bowls before nightfall. Also, secure the trash can so that coyotes can’t get into it.
If you cannot seem to keep coyotes away by limiting food sources, you might want to think about building some fencing, especially if you have small pets that coyotes are likely to hunt.
You can also scare coyotes off by banging pots and pans – they will run away from the noise. It is also a good idea to buy some coyote urine (available at hunting supply stores) and sprinkle it around the perimeter of your property. Coyotes won’t cross an area that has been marked with this scent.
Conclusion
Coyotes can jump a fence, but only if they decide it is worth the effort. If you have done everything possible to discourage them from coming back, then the chances are slim that they will attempt to get in again as long as you continue any efforts.