Predator Control!

Two Opposing Views on Coyotes

The Coyote Myth- Cons

By David Hart

            They’ve been trapped, poisoned, shot and otherwise vilified. Ranchers hate them and small game hunters despise them. So do deer hunters. Coyotes are blamed for lots of things, but believe it or not, they aren’t having an effect on whitetail deer populations.

            “Hunters can shoot two does per day over the course of a 100-day season in Alabama. We have a pretty good number of coyotes in Alabama and we certainly have no shortage of deer, so I would say that coyotes are having a minimal impact on deer numbers,” said Steve Ditchkoff, an associate professor or wildlife and ecology at Auburn University. “Pretty much every state in the southeast is experiencing an overabundance of whitetails. Even in the Northeast, wildlife managers are struggling to keep deer numbers down.”

             Numerous studies have found that coyotes are indeed taking a high percentage of young whitetails. In many regions, however, biologists wish they would kill more. A fawn mortality study in Pennsylvania found that predators, including bears, coyotes and bobcats, were the leading cause of death for newborn whitetails. Of 218 fawns that were captured and fitted with radio collars in 2000 and 2001, 49, or 22 percent, were killed by predators. However, the research project determined that bears killed nearly as many fawns as were killed by coyotes.

            A study conducted in Ohio also found that coyotes were taking a high number of fawns. Mike Tonkovich, a deer biologist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, said 81 fawns were collared and monitored over a three-year period beginning in 2001. About half those deer died during that period; one-third killed by coyotes. But it hasn’t hurt the state’s booming deer population.

            “Our deer herd is thriving. In some places we have too many deer, so coyotes aren’t having an impact on our deer herds at all, at least not to the point that we need to address the issue,” he said.

            Virtually all whitetail fawns in Ohio are born inside a six-week period, resulting in what Tonkovich calls “predator swamping,” meaning coyotes, bobcats and stray dogs are so overwhelmed with fawns during that period they simply couldn’t eat enough to hurt the population. Although the breeding period, and therefore the fawning period, is longer in southern states, there just aren’t enough coyotes to have a major impact on deer numbers. Even in states with high coyote densities, deer are near or at biological carrying capacity. Add any more to the population and the habitat will suffer.

Pennsylvania is a prime example of that. The result of too many deer in too little space is contributing to a significant degradation of habitat through overbrowsing. That overbrowsing may be one reason coyotes are more successful at finding newborn fawns, said Ditchkoff. With fewer places to hide, the young deer are simply more visible and therefore more prone to predation. In other words, coyotes are actually not only doing the deer a favor, but they are helping a variety of other birds and animals that need understory habitat by killing lots of fawns.     

            Oklahoma also has lots of coyotes, especially in the western third, but the deer herd is continuing to grow at a rapid pace, said Mike Shaw, wildlife research supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

            “They certainly do take some fawns, but are they having an impact on our deer herd? Not really,” he said. “The biggest limiting factor for our deer populations is habitat. Without suitable habitat, you can’t produce more deer, at least not without some negative impact on that habitat.”

            Ditchkoff said hunters are often misinformed about the role and habits of predators in the natural world.

            “I think hunters have the same attitudes about coyotes that they had about wolves at one time. If they see a coyote eating a deer carcass, they assume the coyote killed that deer and that something needs to be done,” he said. “It might have killed that deer, but the deer might have been diseased or otherwise stressed, or it might have already been dead.”

            Even if coyotes are to blame for high deer mortality, there isn’t much hunters or wildlife managers can do. Short of a massive, ongoing eradication effort — a completely unrealistic notion -- the elimination of a small number of coyotes by sport hunters will have little effect on reducing fawn mortality. Kill one and another moves in to the territory; kill a bunch and coyotes compensate for that by producing more offspring.  

Facts and Benefits of Predator Control - Pros

By Kevin Patterson, Wildlife Damage Biologist

Predator Control Systems

            I was finishing a predator-control job at a ranch just outside Big Wells, Texas, when my cell phone rang. It was a representative from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The man’s voice sounded like he was in a panic and in dire need of immediate assistance. He asked, “Are you with Predator Control Systems?”

“Yes sir," I said. "My name is Kevin. How can I help you?”

The man’s story was one I've heard many times. He said the university had six 200-acre whitetail research pens just outside of Carrizo Springs and that they were being overrun with bobcats, coyotes and raccoons. Two days later, I pulled into the research facility and began harvesting the excessive predator populations there.

            I have found there are some biologists who believe there's not a significant predator problem in their areas. However, numerous past clients of Predator Control Systems would argue with them. For example, the most recent research study pertaining to coyote population densities reflects that southern Texas has the highest density of coyotes in the United States at four per square mile. Statistical data from my coyote-control work in southern Texas indicates there are at least nine coyotes per square mile. This is a 125 percent higher population of coyotes per square mile than had been previously published. Additionally, my work has also shown that there are currently one to 1.5 bobcats per 100 acres in southern Texas. You should understand that these statistics are a direct result of actual field work (catching predators), not assumptive opinions drawn from an aerial or camera census. Recent statistics from predator-control work I have conducted in Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi and Missouri reflected similar results.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) can negatively affect whitetail deer populations and other game species. One client said he had previously lost most of his trophy whitetail bucks from predation during the post-rut. That's because during the post-rut, bucks are exhausted and lackluster from chasing does and fighting other bucks for territorial dominance. They do not have the normal energy to fight off aggressive predators, such as coyotes and bobcats. Coyotes are very smart and will quickly learn what approach works best in killing their prey.

            Unfortunately, whitetail fawning season and coyote denning season run concurrently. Coyote pup dispersal is about four months post-birth. During the latter half of coyote denning season, adult coyotes will be on the hunt for red meat (quail, turkeys, rabbits, fawns and adult deer). After they're dispersed, coyote pups can travel up to 30 to 50 miles from their den to find a new home range. Coyotes are very social and maintain family groups. Additionally, they are very protective of their family’s home range, which usually averages about three square miles depending on locale. Established coyote family groups will fight transient coyotes to death, if needed, to protect their home range.

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are another formidable predator of game animals, including fawns and adult deer. Most predator-control efforts consist of no more than shooting coyotes and bobcats, which occasionally present themselves. The facts indicate bobcats will climb a high fence (even with predator wire) and can walk through the standard openings in high fence. I have seen this. Low-fence and electric-fence operations provide almost no predator deterrence There are photographs and even a video segment of an adult bobcat attacking, suffocating and killing an adult doe while she was visiting a scrape.

These facts corroborate my findings

            One published research project in South Carolina showed one adult male bobcat had depredated eight adult whitetail deer before its neck-attached radio transmitter ceasing functioning.

            An experimental coyote-removal study on the King Ranch in southern Texas showed where extensive predator control was conducted on 5,400 acres while another 5,400-acre research plot had no predator control. The 5,400 acres without extensive predator control reflected a 74 percent higher loss of fawns vs. the 5,400-acre research plot that did receive extensive predator control. The next year, the same study reflected a 61 percent greater loss of fawns deer on the 5,400-acre plot with predator-control measures.

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) can be one of the most destructive predators a wildlife manager will face. For example, everyone is familiar with the assumption that the higher the latitude, the higher average body weight of the animal. Raccoons in southern Iowa have an average body weight of about 23 to 26 pounds. That's not surprising with all the corn and beans on their plate. In southern Texas, the average weight of an adult raccoon should range anywhere from 6 to 10 pounds. However, the average weight of all raccoons caught by Predator Control Systems in southern Texas is 22 to 25 pounds. The answer equates directly to high-protein deer feed. I have visited with some renowned wildlife biologists who know this, and they are confident that if any wildlife manager feeding high-protein feed asked us to target and diminish their raccoon populations, it could provide the manager with a 30 to 40 percent annual food-bill savings.

            Some research biologists believe predator control in wildlife management does not work. You must look at the big picture. During most research studies, predator-control techniques are used but don't continue after the project is completed. Predator populations will sustain themselves.

Coyotes are the most prolific dry-land predators. Therefore, wildlife managers should understand there is no quick fix in predator control, and that it needs to be a continuous tool used throughout their long-term management plan. If you're feeding high-protein deer food to your deer, would you consider filling up your feeders one time and expect that to sustain adequate protein supplement?

            I encourage wildlife managers to seriously consider incorporating a predator-control program into their wildlife-management plan. It makes good sense to protect your hard-earned investment.