The coyote (Canis latrans) is one of North America's most successful and adaptable wild carnivores, and Montana is home to a substantial and growing coyote population. Originally a species of open plains and western grasslands, coyotes have expanded their range dramatically over the past century and are now thriving in suburban neighborhoods, river corridors, agricultural landscapes, and the rural-urban fringe throughout the state.
Coyotes are highly intelligent, socially complex, and extraordinarily adaptable in their diet — consuming everything from mice and rabbits to deer, fruit, garbage, garden produce, and domestic animals. In rural settings, coyote predation on livestock — particularly lambs, young calves, poultry, and goats — is a serious and costly concern for Montana ranchers and small-scale farmers. In suburban and exurban areas, the primary conflicts involve pets (cats and small dogs are at meaningful risk from coyotes), and coyotes that have become food-conditioned and lost their natural wariness of humans.
Montana Pest Solutions provides professional coyote conflict assessment and deterrence services, with all management conducted in compliance with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regulations and applicable wildlife laws.
Size
32–37 inches body; 20–50 lbs
Color
Gray-brown to tawny; bushy tail with black tip
Active Season
Year-round; most conflicts peak January–April (denning season) and fall
Risk Level
Medium–High (livestock/pet predation; food-conditioned animals; disease)
Habitat
Grasslands, forest edges, river corridors, suburbs
Behavior
Highly adaptable; learns quickly; territorial pairs/family groups
SIGNS OF INFESTATION
Signs of Coyote Presence Near Your Property
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Howling and yipping — Particularly at dawn and dusk; pack vocalizations are a reliable indicator of coyote activity in the area.
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Tracks — Narrow, oval dog-like prints (2–3 inches) with claw marks, in a straight tracking line (vs. the wide, meandering track of a domestic dog).
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Scat — Twisted, tapered feces containing fur, bones, and fruit seeds, left on prominent features (rocks, trail intersections) as territory marking.
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Livestock predation — Missing or injured poultry, lambs, or kids; evidence of attack including drag marks, scattered feathers or fleece, and bite marks to the throat or hindquarters.
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Daytime sightings near homes — Coyotes that show no fear of humans at close range are food-conditioned and represent an elevated risk.
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Missing small pets — Cats or small dogs disappearing from yards or walks, particularly at dawn and dusk, in areas with known coyote activity.
HEALTH RISKS
Coyotes are a vector for rabies, though rabies in coyotes is less common in Montana than in some other states. They are a primary host for mange mites, and mange-afflicted coyotes approaching homes should be reported to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Coyote feces can harbor Echinococcus tapeworm eggs, which cause hydatid disease in humans and livestock if accidentally ingested — a rare but serious risk for children playing in areas with coyote scat.
PROPERTY DAMAGE
Direct property damage from coyotes is limited to predation losses — poultry, small livestock, and companion animals. However, the economic impact of livestock predation on small Montana farms and ranches can be significant. USDA data consistently identifies coyotes as the leading cause of sheep and goat predation losses in the western United States.
