Coyotes are wild animals that live throughout much of North America. They are known for being clever and adaptive creatures that have learned to survive in both rural and urban environments. As coyotes increasingly move into suburban neighborhoods, many homeowners wonder if BB guns can be an effective deterrent against them. BB guns can certainly sting and irritate coyotes, but they may not cause lasting physical harm or deter coyotes from an area. There are better options for discouraging coyotes safely and humanely.
What are BB guns?
BB guns are air guns that shoot small rounded steel or lead projectiles called BBs. The BB simply stands for “ball bearing.” Most BB guns have smoothbore barrels and use spring-powered pneumatic pressure to propel the BBs. They typically have muzzle velocities between 200 to 500 feet per second.
Compared to many other firearms, BB guns have very low velocity and limited power. While they can sting skin at close range, they do not have enough force to puncture skin or cause significant tissue damage. BB guns are designed mainly for recreational target shooting and training. Backyard pest control is another common use.
Can BB guns hurt coyotes?
Yes, BB guns can hurt coyotes if hit in vulnerable areas at close range. A BB gun can irritate a coyote’s eyes or nose and cause stinging pain if struck there. A shot to the legs or paws could cause minor bruising or abrasions. However, the low power of BB guns prevents them from penetrating a coyote’s fur and skin deeply enough to cause debilitating or life-threatening injuries.
Even shots to thin skin or softer tissue typically result in superficial wounds. While momentarily painful, BB strikes are unlikely to incapacitate a coyote or have long-term physical effects. Their thick fur coats and hides protect coyotes from more severe impacts. Overall, the smallsteel BBs simply do not impart enough blunt force trauma to significantly harm most coyotes.
Risks of using BB guns against coyotes
There are some notable risks and disadvantages to using BB guns to deter coyotes:
- May be ineffective – BB guns may sting initially but not stop or drive away coyotes consistently.
- Could anger or provoke aggression – Harassing coyotes with BB guns could make them more aggressive toward people.
- Difficult shot placement – Landing accurate hits on fast moving coyotes is difficult for an amateur.
- Legal and ethical concerns – Discharging firearms may be prohibited in some areas. Causing unnecessary animal suffering raises ethical issues.
- Accident risk – Stray BBs could break windows or injure people.
Because of these downsides, wildlife management experts recommend against using BB guns to control coyotes. The minor pain they inflict simply isn’t a strong enough deterrent. Smarter and more humane options exist.
Do BB guns deter coyotes effectively?
The effectiveness of BB guns at deterring coyotes is questionable at best. Since the minor pain from a BB will fade quickly, it does not cause coyotes to avoid areas long-term. Coyotes have high pain tolerance and are driven by survival instincts. Most will return to a territory once the perceived threat is gone.
Being intelligent and shy animals, coyotes may initially startle and retreat after being pelted with a BB. However, they will likely come back once the coast is clear. Constant harassment and pain over time could potentially condition some coyotes to avoid properties associated with BB guns. But this training effect is unreliable and would require persistent shooting anytime coyotes are sighted.
For these reasons, wildlife biologists view BB guns as an ineffective coyote deterrent compared to proven methods like exclusion fencing, removing food attractants, and hazing with loud noises. BB guns may work temporarily but are unlikely to provide reliable long-term control or deterrence.
More humane and effective coyote deterrents
The following methods can humanely and effectively discourage coyotes without causing the animal undue pain or suffering:
Remove Food Attractants
Eliminating outdoor pet food, fallen fruit, bird feeders, garbage cans, and other accessible food will remove a major attractant. Hungry coyotes are less likely to visit yards without an easy meal.
Install Physical Barriers
Fences, walls, dense shrubbery, and yard lights can block coyote access and deny them sheltered hiding spots. Motion-activated sprinklers also physically drive coyotes away.
Make Threatening Sounds
Loud noises like shouting, clapping, whistles, and air horns can frighten coyotes without harming them. They associate these sounds with potential danger, causing them to flee.
Use Deterrent Sprays
Strong-smelling repellent sprays applied around yards create a scent boundary coyotes don’t like crossing. Some contain capsaicin extracts for added effectiveness.
Hire a Professional Wildlife Service
Companies use expert techniques like targeted hazing, trapping, and relocation to address persistent coyote problems. This is often the best recourse in urban and suburban areas.
Are BB guns legal for coyote control?
The legality of using BB guns against coyotes depends on local, state, and federal laws. Relevant regulations include:
- Discharge laws – Most areas prohibit shooting BB guns across property lines or close to buildings.
- Firearms definitions – BB guns may be considered firearms when used to hunt or kill nuisance animals.
- Animal cruelty laws – Intentionally inflicting injury or death in an inhumane manner can violate anti-cruelty statutes.
- Hunting and trapping regulations – State wildlife agencies regulate methods for taking coyotes and may prohibit BB guns.
- Local ordinances – Cities and counties may ban discharge of firearms, including BB guns.
Because of this complex legal landscape, never use BB guns against coyotes unless you have researched all applicable laws and have explicit permission from local authorities. Even legal usage could result in public nuisance complaints. It is prudent to explore safer coyote deterrence options first.
Key Takeaways on BB Guns and Coyotes
- BB guns can sting and irritate coyotes but rarely cause serious or life-threatening injuries.
- The pain from BBs is temporary and unlikely to permanently deter coyotes.
- Shooting at coyotes risks making them more aggressive toward people.
- Removing attractants, exclusion barriers, and hazing are better prevention.
- Discharging BB guns may be illegal in many jurisdictions.
- Always research local laws before using any firearms against wildlife.
- Focus on prevention first rather than trying to deter coyotes through pain.
Conclusion
BB guns are not an effective or legally sound method for controlling coyote activity and deterring them from properties. While BBs can irritate and sting coyotes, the wounds inflicted are generally superficial and temporary. Coyotes are unlikely to associate the pain with a location and avoid the area long-term. Plus, shooting carries legal and ethical concerns regarding discharge laws, firearms definitions, animal cruelty, and hunting regulations. Homeowners bothered by coyotes are better off removing food attractants, installing physical barriers, and using loud sounds and sprays to scare away coyotes humanely. Prevention is more successful than attempting to use force or inflict pain. With smarter deterrence strategies, BB guns are an unnecessary and counterproductive option for dealing with nuisance coyotes.