Coyote management in Spokane is led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife under RCW 77.36, with the City coordinating reporting and hazing education while prohibiting unauthorized firearm discharge in city limits.
Coyotes are an unprotected species under WDFW rules, and landowners may take coyotes causing damage subject to RCW 77.36 and local discharge restrictions. Inside Spokane city limits SMC Chapter 10 generally prohibits firearm discharge except in specific defense scenarios, so the City emphasizes non-lethal hazing such as yelling, waving arms, throwing objects, and motion-activated devices. Residents are urged to remove attractants like pet food, fallen fruit, and uncovered trash. WDFW investigates aggressive or habituated coyotes and can authorize professional removal in dense neighborhoods near the Spokane River and Latah Creek corridors.
Discharging a firearm to take a coyote inside city limits without an exception can result in a gross misdemeanor under SMC and reckless endangerment charges if neighbors are at risk.
Spokane, WA
Spokane prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife that creates a nuisance or attracts predators under SMC 10.04. Feeding deer, raccoons, and coyotes is speci...
Spokane, WA
Eastern Spokane including the eastside hills, South Hill bluff, and Dishman Hills vicinity are designated wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones. Enhanced buil...
See how Spokane's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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