Coyote Information

City adopts nuisance management and response plan policy…

On August 11, 2015, the Common Council adopted the “Coyote Nuisance Management and Response Plan Policy”. This Coyote Nuisance Management and Response Plan Policy is intended to provide a plan for strategic action that will increase residents’ knowledge and understanding of how coyotes behave and how such behavior can be managed with human safety as a priority. The focus of the policy is to provide information about the behavior of coyotes as it relates to different forms of human interaction. The Coyote Policy for the City of Mequon acknowledges that public safety is a primary concern. Given that concern, however, the City recognizes the environmental benefit of maintaining and encouraging natural wildlife populations and will make every effort to maintain natural ecosystems.

That being said, it is not the intention of the City, nor is it an objective of this policy, to carry out a wholesale coyote culling program. The City’s Coyote Policy will provide strategies as to the best known responses to live compatibly with coyotes while providing guidance for appropriate levels of response to varying types of coyote activity and/or interactions. 

Many communities throughout the State of Colorado have utilized hazing efforts as their sole means to address coyote related concerns in a non-lethal manner.  The City of Denver conducted a formal study regarding hazing efforts and their impact on coyotes.  The state of Michigan created this very educational, yet humorous, video about “How to Haze a Coyote”.

With that said, property owners and HOAs are permitted to address coyotes. Owners and HOAs may hunt/trap coyotes on their property or grant permission to another person(s) to do such.  For those who are interested hunting or trapping on their property, information about WI-DNR registered trappers are available online at the Wisconsin Trappers Association website (https://wistrap.org/nuisance-animal-removal) and trapping/hunting regulations are available on the WI-DNR website (http://dnr.wi.gov/) or by calling the WI-DNR at (414) 263-8606. For City hunting regulations information and to apply for a discharge permit please contact the Mequon Police Department (Weapons Discharge Permit) or by calling (262) 242-3500. 

Report a Coyote Incident… 

An important facet of the “Coyote Nuisance Management and Response Plan Policy” is for the City of Mequon to gather data regarding the various types and locations of coyote related incidents/interactions within the community. 

CLICK HERE  to submit a coyote incident report.

If preferred, paper copies of report forms are available for pickup at City Hall and at the Police Department. Otherwise, residents may have a blank report form mailed to their residence simply by contacting the Clerk’s Office at (262) 236-2911. Staff will be able to assist you over the phone. Completed paper-copy reports should be submitted to the Clerk’s office in City Hall.

 The WI-DNR, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Trappers Association, maintains a referral list for nuisance wild animal removal services.

The State maintains an open hunting/trapping season for coyotes on a year-round basis.  Anyone interested in pursuing this activity is strongly encouraged to contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR) and the Mequon Police Department to learn about the State and Local laws that apply. 

Under certain circumstances, the City will have the ability to assign a WI-DNR Nuisance Permit for use by a hunter or trapper.  There are very specific terms and conditions for the use of the WI-DNR Nuisance Permit, so please be sure to review all of the regulations prior to applying.  To apply for an assignable WI-DNR Nuisance Permit, please print the application form and submit the completed form to the City Clerk’s office at no cost.  Each permit application requires a mandatory background check of the applicant and will be reviewed on its own merits.  The City reserves the right not to assign the WI-DNR nuisance permit.

A critical element of the City’s “Coyote Nuisance Management and Response Plan Policy” is the education and awareness of residents. Mequon’s educational campaign primarily focuses on how residents can coexist with coyotes. Examples of the City’s educational outreach efforts, as set forth in the adopted policy and action plan, include: brochures, informational postcards mailed to specific neighborhoods with an increased level of coyote sightings and incidents, detailed information and appropriate links made available on the City’s website. The education of the public is an important tool for the coexistence of residents and coyotes in a safe environment.

The DNR has made available the following resources regarding urban coyotes.

• Urban wildlife webpage: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/damage

• Urban Coyotes fact sheet: https://p.widencdn.net/mw1yp0/WM0567

• Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control Grant information (more broad): http://dnr.wi.gov/Aid/UWDAC.html

For more information regarding urban coyotes, please contact DNR wildlife biologist Dianne Robinson at 262-424-9827 or via email at Dianne.Robinson@Wisconsin.gov

Please be sure to visit the webpages listed below for additional information:

• WI-DNR coyote information page

• Humane Society of the United States Coyote Information

• WI Humane Society coyote information page

• Milwaukee County, WI coyote information and tracking