Maricopa County and Arizona Game and Fish follow a coexistence model for urban coyotes. Residents are urged to haze coyotes, secure food sources, and protect small pets. Feeding coyotes or other wildlife violates state nuisance and wildlife rules backed by AZGFD enforcement.
Coyotes are common throughout Maricopa County, particularly near washes, golf courses, and desert preserves bordering the Valley. The county and Arizona Game and Fish (AZGFD) advise hazing — yelling, waving arms, throwing objects — to keep coyotes wary of people. Healthy non-aggressive coyotes are not relocated; AZGFD only intervenes for sick, injured, or genuinely aggressive animals. Feeding coyotes or leaving pet food, fallen citrus, or unsecured trash that attracts them violates AZGFD wildlife-feeding rules and most municipal nuisance codes. Owners should keep small pets leashed, supervised in yards, and indoors at dawn and dusk. Discharging firearms inside city limits to kill coyotes typically violates separate weapon-discharge laws.
Intentionally feeding coyotes or leaving attractants can prompt AZGFD warnings and county code-enforcement notices. Repeat violations may escalate to civil citations under municipal nuisance ordinances. Killing a coyote inside a city without authorization may violate firearm-discharge and wildlife laws.
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See how Maricopa County's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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