Coyote, wolf, or ????

[dragoneggs]

Its not a coyote.
For comparison here are central Texas coyotes I took a pic of.

Yep, note the more pointed snout and lack of 'cheeks'.

 

[jaxs]

I'm going with Red Wolf,because;
A the coloration,head shape,ear set and size are correct.
B there has been a population in far East Tx since being re-introduced by TP&WL more than 50 years ago.
C. They were indigenous to Eastern Tx until exterminated under a government bounty program in the 1800s
D. Ray Roberts Reservoir has suitable habitat and so does Haggerman Wildlife Refuge. Haggerman is so well patrolled it would be perfect for a reintroduction program.
E. A friend of someone my BIL know'sath::liar:shot one about 20 years ago while deer hunting on Caddo National Grasslands because he thought it was a pretty coyote. When this un-named individual unrolled the pelt in a taxidermy shop,the taxidermist looked like he had seen the Grim Reaper and yelled "get that *@%$#%thing out here,that's a Red Wolf and we could both go to jail if the authorities find it here. I'm amazed the game warden's antenna didn't go up and refer you to the head shed so TP&WL biologist could have a look and possibly do a little research in the area. By all means post pictures if you are lucky enough to get more. He's a handsome fella.

 

[MossRoad]

Perhaps there is some fur left on top of the bale?

Aaron Z

That's an excellent idea. And maybe some poop around, too. I'd call the DNR and see what they think and if they're interested in identifying it.

 

[Motorboatin]

I'm going with Red Wolf,because;
A the coloration,head shape,ear set and size are correct.
B there has been a population in far East Tx since being re-introduced by TP&WL more than 50 years ago.
C. They were indigenous to Eastern Tx until exterminated under a government bounty program in the 1800s
D. Ray Roberts Reservoir has suitable habitat and so does Haggerman Wildlife Refuge. Haggerman is so well patrolled it would be perfect for a reintroduction program.
E. A friend of someone my BIL know'sath::liar:shot one about 20 years ago while deer hunting on Caddo National Grasslands because he thought it was a pretty coyote. When this un-named individual unrolled the pelt in a taxidermy shop,the taxidermist looked like he had seen the Grim Reaper and yelled "get that *@%$#%thing out here,that's a Red Wolf and we could both go to jail if the authorities find it here. I'm amazed the game warden's antenna didn't go up and refer you to the head shed so TP&WL biologist could have a look and possibly do a little research in the area. By all means post pictures if you are lucky enough to get more. He's a handsome fella.

It does look like a Red Wolf but the problem with that theory is that the population has plummeted to around 40 wolves according to the FWS. It's also unlikely to be a Red due to the location of the only know wild packs being in North Carolina along the coast. The NC packs were populated from wolves trapped in Texas and Louisiana along the Gulf Coast but those areas have been void of wolves for decades according to the FWS while the Mexican Gray has a healthy population throughout Arizona and New Mexico. So I'm going with Mexican

No matter what the breed is the OP should send that pic to the local wildlife department. I'm sure someone would like to know if it is in fact a Red or Mexican since it is so far out of it's territory

Edit.....I found this article. It could very well be a Red
Red wolf DNA found in Texas pack - News - Austin American-Statesman - Austin, TX

 

[Wakey]

Wakey, I just noticed that you are in Madison. I drive though there on my way from Forsyth to Athens. Going to Dahlonega. (My wife is terrified by Atlanta traffic so I must take the long side road).

Do you take 83 or 441? When I go to Athens it's always 83, 441 is crazy at times.

 

[jaxs]

No matter what the breed is the OP should send that pic to the local wildlife department. I'm sure someone would like to know if it is in fact a Red or Mexican since it is so far out of it's territory

Edit.....I found this article. It could very well be a Red
Red wolf DNA found in Texas pack - News - Austin American-Statesman - Austin, TX

As I said in my initial response,I don't understand why the warden dismissed it and suggested op investigate farther. I would think biologists would want to attempt getting hair samples off the bale. Hang on,rant alert! Our state wildlife department is100% and well funded through sales of hunting and fishing licenses and other hunting and fishing dollars. Bureaucrats from every cause in Texas(some that are supposed to be federal funded) dip into those funds. Were that not bad enough,Tx game wardens spend more time on "guests from Central America" and drug violators than on natural resources. Rant over. Whoever or whatever this majestic fella is,I wish him a long and healthy life.

 

[dodge man]

When I first saw the picture I thought German Shepperd. The coloring doesn't seem right though, most have more black in them although I have seen some similar in color. I agree, its way to beefy to be a coyote.

 

[JPRambo]

83 to 129.

 

[Xfaxman]

When I first saw the picture I thought German Shepherd. The coloring doesn't seem right though, most have more black in them although I have seen some similar in color. ----------------------------------------------------

Yep, but they come in a lot of different colors. We had a rare longhair that the breeder called red instead of tan:

 

[jaxs]

Yep, but they come in a lot of different colors. We had a rare longhair that the breeder called red instead of tan

View attachment 588752



I couldn't say about the rarity of his hair or color but the old boy sure knew how to get comfortable.