Chasing Coyotes: Accounts of Urban Crises by Debora Martin is a highly recommended informative guide on the presence and problems of coyotes in the urban landscape of Orange County, CA, but it can pertain to coyote populations in other urban areas. The main purpose of the book is informational and educational, along with being easily accessible to lay people.

In Chasing Coyotes Martin discusses the history of coyotes in cities, coyote habitats, and points out ways to coyote "proof" an area. She also shares stories of coyote attacks on pets and people, especially children. The stated purpose of Chasing Coyotes is fourfold: "(1) to document the plight of urban coyotes in North America, (2) to reduce the amount of misinformation presently circulating about urban coyotes, (3) to remove or reduce any fear the reader may have of coyotes, and (4) to encourage readers to haze coyotes every time they see them." Currently there is misinformation and untruths being spread about urban coyotes by animal rights groups, such as the belief that urban coyotes control rats. It has been shown that urban coyotes only control mice and vole rodent populations, not rodent populations such as rats.

Included are ways to discourage coyotes from making your neighborhood part of their hunting grounds, including "ammonia and white vinegar to reduce pet odor, picking up pet compost, and keeping pet food and water dishes inside." You can also "make sure that all fruit is picked up, secure your trash can lid so coyotes cannot knock them over and get to their contents, remove bird feeders, install motion-activated lighting and sprinkler systems, and increase the amount of outdoor lighting.... Low-lying bushes should be removed, and bushes and trees should be cut back, in order to reduce the number of potential coyote hiding places. Your objective is to create a hostile environment for the coyote by making your home and neighborhood coyote-unfriendly."

Martin discusses pets she has personally lost to coyotes in her neighborhood. She makes it clear that you should never show fear to, turn your back on, or run from a coyote because they might view you as prey. You should never feed a coyote or take pictures of it. This encourages them to not fear humans, creating a potential dangerous situation. If possible haze any coyote you see. Martin explains how to haze a coyote: Raise your arms and wave them while approaching the coyote - be loud and large! Use noisemakers (your voice, whistles, air horns, bells, and soda cans filled with pennies or dead batteries. (Be sure to familiarize your dog to this noise.) Use projectiles (e.g., sticks, small rocks, cans, tennis balls, rubber balls). Try other repellents (such as hoses, water guns with vinegar water, spray bottles with vinegar water, pepper spray, bear repellent, and walking sticks). Sometimes coyotes will test you by pausing in their tracks and standing their ground, but continue hazing and chasing them until they leave the area and are out of sight.

Included in the book are a list of Coyote Preparedness References. There are several urban areas that record and track coyote sightings in their areas and compile a database of information. Be sure to see if your city has a website with coyote information and a place to report sightings of coyotes. If you have ever lived in a city or urban area where there are populations of coyotes preying on pets you will appreciate this book and the information it contains. While some of the text is repetitive when discussing actions to take, in this case it might help the causal reader remember what to do when a coyote is sighted.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1974399572
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2017/04/chasing-coyotes.html ( )

With housing ever encroaching on wilderness formerly occupied by animals, more and more animal/human encounters occur. Coyotes are not terribly intimidating from a distance. They are, however, wild and have a tendency to defend themselves, scavenge for food, and will attack if cornered. They have been known to steal pets literally from under the owner's nose. Chasing Coyotes is a well written collection of human/coyote encounters, ways to deter coyotes from one's yard, and what to do if one encounters a coyote. Of special interest to me was using a metal pan and spoon, the chasing the coyote banging on the pan as loud as possible. Encounters will continue, as the coyote is very adaptable to its environment, and we continue to move into areas where coyotes have previously lived. An excellent reference, as well as a firm warning.

This book was an extremely interesting read. Being from the midwest, I've never had to deal with coyotes attacking small animals in my neighborhood. I learned a lot about the kind of creatures they are. Debora Martin did a great job explaining that they are not predators, they are beautiful animals that deserve our respect. She also offered good suggestions to urban folks on how to deal with them. It's definitely a good read. ( )

This book is for you If you are concerned about protecting your pets from encroaching urban coyotes,. There is much misinformation being circulated asserting that coyotes are benign neighbors. If this was ever true, the habituation of coyotes to human presence has changed all that. Our pets are fine prey for them. Increasingly, coyotes are attacking children and even adults. Many animal rights groups deny that this has ever happened, but Martin provides extension documentation of numerous incidents. The book is well-documented with references.
Chasing Coyotes is a call to arms, but more importantly, it is full of practical advice.
• How to protect your pets
• How to safely harass coyotes so they will avoid humans
• Make your property unattractive to coyotes
• Fencing that works
• How coyotes move through human areas
• How to organize your neighbors
• Getting politicians and law enforcement to take the issue seriously
• How to tell a coyote from a stray dog
• The importance of having an online presence for your group
• The need to protect your website from animal rights hackers ( )

I really enjoyed Chasing Coyotes by Debora Martin. Our yard isn't fenced because of the spectacular views we have of the Nevada high desert and surrounding mountains. As recently as last weekend, we had five coyotes pursuing a rabbit across our backyard lawn. It appeared to be a dad, a mom, and three pups. Though I know the coyotes must eat, I find myself rooting for the rabbits. When I hear shots fired by hunters, I root for the coyotes.

Much of the advice given to city dwellers in the book is just as applicable to us rural folk. The bottom line is coyotes must be respected. They are wild creatures. After growing up in urban Southern California, my first reaction to coyotes in Nevada was a mix of awe and fear. Many of my fears were validated in this book, but thankfully Debora Martin also offered many suggestions for how to discourage their presence as well as what to do if you encounter one or more in your yard or neighborhood.

I had many "aha" moments while reading this book. It is a format that is very informative yet easy to read. I will be implementing Martin's suggestions in order to provide a safer environment for my family and pets. I will also be recommending the book to neighbors and friends. ( )