Coyotes On The Move

[Jstpssng]

I am sure that must account for more sightings this time of year. Before we built here, I would camp out for 2-3 nights while doing some tractor work. I heard coyotes often. Then, after we moved here three years ago, I didn't hear them much at all until this Fall. I thought our dogs (at 110lbs and 140lbs, they couldn't look like an easy meal), were maybe keeping them away. So much for that theory
Dave.

Right now the pups are maturing and starting to get out more. Also, the weather is getting colder and like most animals they are trying to pack on some fat for winter.

 

[Jstpssng]

Here's a pretty good, unbiased report on coyotes from tennessee. http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/coyotecontrol.pdf

I'm not an advocate of completely wiping them out; but they're raising Cain with our deer population. Maine had a snaring program in place which was starting to get them under control; but the antis stepped in and shut us down. They'll go into a deer yard in the middle of winter, and they can get around much better than the deer.

There is an oft-quoted study which claimsthat controlling the population only results in bigger litters the next year; but this is being questioned and disputed.

 

[LBrown59]

Two nights ago about 2 hours after sunset, the coyotes were howling and yipping. They were in close to the house.

Today around noon, a young (9 or 10) neighbor boy came up the drive on his bicycle and asked me to show him where the snowmobile trail runs. I explained it and he rode off down the trail to check it out. My wife was out walking our dog and she spoke with him too. Shortly after he rode on my wife heard him yell and he came flying back up the trail. She asked what was wrong and he said there were two coyotes further back and he wasn't going there. Smart kid

On the way back to the house, my wife saw one good sized coyote running across our pond opening. Very odd to see coyotes moving like this mid-day.
* There is no hunting on Sundays here. Fortunately, the dog my wife was walking is always on a leash, he loves to wander far and wide otherwise.

Anybody seeing similar things? The only explanation I have is the deer hunters have disturbed them in the areas where no people usually go and they are looking for somewhere quieter?
Dave.

* That don't apply to coyotes ; surly !

 

[dave1949]

Here's a pretty good, unbiased report on coyotes from tennessee. http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/coyotecontrol.pdf

I'm not an advocate of completely wiping them out; but they're raising Cain with our deer population. Maine had a snaring program in place which was starting to get them under control; but the antis stepped in and shut us down. They'll go into a deer yard in the middle of winter, and they can get around much better than the deer.

There is an oft-quoted study which claimsthat controlling the population only results in bigger litters the next year; but this is being questioned and disputed.

Thanks for the link above. Interesting reading. Very detailed trap setting technique description. I am sure there is lots that is not known on the topic. I am surprised they didn't speculate on why coyotes moved into Tenn. when they were not there before. Some of the coyote population has to be related to the absolute explosion in whitetail numbers in the past 20 yrs. from Indiana through New Jersy. Drive across PA on I-80 and count the fur piles.

My observations in one place don't prove anything, but here is what I have noticed. Back in 2004-2006, both deer and coyotes were very thick here. I think now there are fewer of both, deer for sure. I've been working on grouse habitat and this year grouse are in good numbers, even with the cool wet spring we had. I saw one snowshoe bunny this summer and haven't seen any lately. Usually around this time of year with no snow, they are the 'wrong' color for a few weeks and easy to spot. My acorn and beechnut crops were just about nonexistant this year. I never see more than 2-3 turkeys here, they are around but not overly plentiful.

If coyotes got too brazen or out of control, I would work on thinning them. Don't think I am at that point now. Just curious they are moving in the daylight now. Maybe they are getting accustomed to our presence

If we don't get a decent winter for deer this year, their numbers will be way, way down I fear. There is a winter deer trail that comes down off the hill behind us. I will be curious to see how much traffic it gets this winter.
Dave.

 

[Jstpssng]

Thanks for the link above. Interesting reading. Very detailed trap setting technique description. I am sure there is lots that is not known on the topic. I am surprised they didn't speculate on why coyotes moved into Tenn. when they were not there before. Some of the coyote population has to be related to the absolute explosion in whitetail numbers in the past 20 yrs. from Indiana through New Jersy. Drive across PA on I-80 and count the fur piles.

My observations in one place don't prove anything, but here is what I have noticed. Back in 2004-2006, both deer and coyotes were very thick here. I think now there are fewer of both, deer for sure. I've been working on grouse habitat and this year grouse are in good numbers, even with the cool wet spring we had. I saw one snowshoe bunny this summer and haven't seen any lately. Usually around this time of year with no snow, they are the 'wrong' color for a few weeks and easy to spot. My acorn and beechnut crops were just about nonexistant this year. I never see more than 2-3 turkeys here, they are around but not overly plentiful.

If coyotes got too brazen or out of control, I would work on thinning them. Don't think I am at that point now. Just curious they are moving in the daylight now. Maybe they are getting accustomed to our presence

If we don't get a decent winter for deer this year, their numbers will be way, way down I fear. There is a winter deer trail that comes down off the hill behind us. I will be curious to see how much traffic it gets this winter.
Dave.

Yeah, they make catching them look so easy. But the measure of a truly good trapper is if he can catch fox and coyotes. (I'll stick with beaver and pine marten.) My neighbors are very good though... I was glad they were the ones who caught my dog 8 years ago. It was a well set trap, and caught her high on the leg so there was no harm done; but she's educated now and will never step in a trap again.

the biggest reason they've become so widespread is because of an abundance of food, and no real competition. And you're right; like all animal populations they run in cycles. As the prey population drops, so will the coyotes; but they also will increase their range and
seek out alternative food sources.


I really don't worry about them in the woods. The only time I was concerned was when my dog was a pup; I carried my Ruger MarkII with 2 full clips. When they bring in wolves though, that'll be the end of dogs going to work with me.

 

[schmism]

we've never seen nor heard of coyotes around our property in the almost 3 years we been hear.

yet 4 days ago the wife gave a somewhat frantic call from the porch that a coyote was chaseing the chickens in the front yard.

i grabed the .22 and headed out just in time to see it trot off into the back woods with one of my buff orps in its mouth.

found another one dead in the yard and a third didnt come home that night.

Ive been on watch every night at dusk and have seen him 2 other times but never long enough to get a shot on the guy.

 

[Willl]

Do you have a cap gun?

Or maybe a bouquet of flowers ?

 

[dave1949]

* That don't apply to coyotes ; surly !

Not sure, but I hope it does. New England in Fall is something else. The bugs are 98% gone, you can see through the woods after most of the leaves are off. The weather is often very pleasant. It's about the best time to be in the woods. Should be at least one day a week in November when you don't have worry about getting shot by accident , or disturbing someone who is trying to hunt.
Dave.

 

[SkyPup]

They are yipping and howling all over our property here in North Central Florida and they make great target practice for my handloads too!

 

[beenthere]

THAT works better than a cap gun
Nice 'yote