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You may have a coyote in your neighborhood and not be aware of the animal. This is one of nature's most adaptable creatures. More and more we see these four legged creatures. It lives in deserts, prairies, mountains and the suburbs. Its diet consists of rabbit, field mice, fruit, vegetable and anything it finds. Farms and dumps are like magnets to these creatures. They will inter breed with domestic dogs that wildlife managers call coy dogs.
The most serious problem the coyote poses to us is disease. Coyotes carry a resistant strain of the parvo virus (known as parvo 2) that is deadly to domestic dogs and a very serious disease to man. It is safe to say the coyote has taken up residence all over. The threat to humans is slight from this but the threat of rabies is not. Rabies in a coyote pack is a time bomb waiting the explode. They show up in the worst places at the worst times. In the evening hours people who live in the suburbs have seen these grey ghosts as they sneak along hedge rows and tree lines looking for a free meal. In the twilight hours you may see other coyotes.
Outdoor people are amazed how quickly the field dressings from deer were cleaned up. It seems the first gun shot during deer season was like a dinner bell to the coyote. If you shot a deer on opening day, field dressed it and left for home but returned to the same spot the next day the field dressing disappeared.
What is in store for the coyote in the next five years? One thing for sure, there will be a lot more. Their population is growing. Hunting is fast becoming the tool for control of these pests. Farmers are losing lambs, calves and older cows so they support hunting this canine.
Hunting Tips- Calling with a Animal in Distress caller or stalking and waiting are very popular hunting methods. When calling, look for a high vantage point. After taking one coyote start calling again as there may be others in hearing distance
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