A farm worker on Ronald Hammonds' farm in the Saddletree community
holds up a mature female coyote that was killed several weeks ago.
This coyote was first seen in the pasture with mama cows and baby calves
and was shot as it fled from the feeding area.

If someone were to mention coyotes to you, you would probably first think about coyotes you have seen in old wild west movies or in National Geographic pictures. If they were to mention to you that coyotes are becoming a problem, you would probably think they were referring to problems in the western states.

Most people do not realize that coyotes are becoming a rather severe problem in North Carolina. Very few people are aware that coyotes are fairly well established in Robeson County and that farmers are beginning to experience problems with coyotes.

The news media, last week, reported that the wife of the newly elected North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler, was attacked and injured by an animal that has been identified as a coyote. Mrs. Troxler had returned to her Guilford County farm home shortly after dark. When she got out of her car, she heard the distress cries from a puppy that Mr. Troxler had given to her as a Christmas present. When she went to the aid of the puppy, she found that he was being attacked by a larger animal that she first thought was a dog.

The animal escaped, but not before turning on Mrs. Troxler and biting her several times on the leg. It was later confirmed that the animal was either a large fox or coyote. All evidence of the pattern of the wounds on both the puppy and Mrs. Troxler, and the method of attack, indicated that it was most likely a coyote. Since coyotes are known to be carriers of rabies, Mrs. Troxler is now undergoing a series of rabies shots.

We first started receiving reports of coyotes in Robeson County more than five years ago. Occasional reports from farmers, hunters, or others indicated they had seen animals that looked like dogs. But from seeing coyotes on television or in zoos, they were fairly confident that what they had seen were actually coyotes.

Coyotes are generally about the size of a mid-sized collie dog. They usually weigh from 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Females are slightly smaller than males. Their pointed ears, bushy tail that is carried in a downward position as they run, and the habit of running with their heads held close to the ground makes it fairly easy to distinguish them from dogs. They are generally brownish gray in color, with a cream colored belly, but the color patterns can vary.

Coyotes are very adaptable. They can live and reproduce in almost any environment, from dense forest to urban communities. Coyotes have become severe problems in many western communities as they scavenge thorough neighborhoods looking for food in pet dishes or in trash cans.

Their diet is extremely varied. Most of their diet is made up of small animals they catch in the wild, such as rabbits, birds, and rodents. In addition, they will eat berries and grasshoppers and often consume vegetable crops, such as cantaloupes and watermelons. They will consume almost any carrion, animals killed on the highways.

Research has shown the stomach contents of captured coyotes often contain venison, or deer meat. Many feel that coyotes are major predators of deer, and some states and communities have advocated stocking coyotes to help control the exploding deer population. However, major research indicates that deer consumed by coyotes were first wounded by hunters or were killed by hunters, and the hunters were unable to locate the carcass after killing the animal.

A concern by many people is that coyotes prey on newly born deer or calves. However, research in this area indicates that coyotes most often are attracted to the afterbirth rather than the newly born animal.

Although research indicates that domestic animals, pets, and small livestock animals are not the major diet of coyotes, it is known that coyotes will attack and kill any of these animals if they are hungry enough and if the opportunity arises. Research has indicated that once a coyote kills one of these type animals, they will most likely seek similar animals for future meals.

The picture accompanying this column is evidence enough that coyote are established in Robeson County. It is reasonable to assume that the coyote population in the county will increase in coming years. There is no cause of alarm at this time, but there is a need for caution when hunting or when participating in outdoor activities in the forest or less populated areas of our county. This is also an indication that all dog and cat owners, especially those in rural areas, should be much more concerned that their pets are properly vaccinated for rabies.

Beef cattle producers in the county should become more concerned, and much more observant, about the possibility of predator damage from coyotes. Since smaller animals are more attractive to coyotes, those farmers who are getting into the goat business should make efforts to properly protect their animals, especially the newly born and young.

The Cooperative Extension Service is working closely with the Wildlife Service and the Animal Damage Control Division of the United States Department of Agriculture to monitor and document the increasing population of coyotes throughout all communities. If you have questions about coyotes, please call me at 910-671-3276 for more detailed information. If you have seen coyotes in your community or where you hunt and wish to share information about their location or their activities, please call this number as well.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 7/11/05