Some coyotes will specialize in preying on deer while others may opportunistically target them. Studies on coyote-deer interactions are relatively rare and there is still much unknown about how many deer coyotes actually kill each year.
In one study in Minnesota it was estimated that coyotes killed approximately 24% of the fawns born each year. The study found that coyotes tended to target fawns that were less than three months old and weighed less than 30 pounds. Adult deer were not often preyed upon likely because they are too large and strong for coyotes to take down.
In another study conducted in Michigan coyotes were found to kill an average of 2.4 deer per year. This study did not differentiate between fawns and adults but it’s likely that a similar proportion of young deer were taken as in the Minnesota study.
While the exact number of deer killed by coyotes each year is still unknown it’s clear that they can have a significant impact on local deer populations. In areas where coyotes are abundant and deer are scarce they may be one of the primary factors limiting deer numbers. In other areas coyote predation may help to keep deer populations in check.
Whether you consider them a friend or foe there’s no denying that coyotes are here to stay. And as deer populations continue to decline in many areas coyotes may become an increasingly important predator of whitetails.
How many deer do coyotes kill in North America each year?
Answer: Coyotes kill an estimated 4 to 5 million deer in North America each year.
Do coyotes prefer to hunt alone or in packs?
Answer: Coyotes typically hunt alone or in pairs but occasionally will hunt in packs.
How many coyotes are there in the United States?
Answer: There are an estimated 500000 coyotes in the United States.
How much does the average coyote weigh?
Answer: The average coyote weighs between 20 and 50 pounds.
What do coyotes eat?
Answer: Coyotes are primarily carnivores and eat small to medium-sized mammals such as rabbits rodents and squirrels but will also eat birds reptiles amphibians fish fruits and vegetables.
How long do coyotes live?
Answer: In the wild coyotes typically live between 10 and 14 years but can live up to 20 years.
What is the coyote’s scientific name?
Answer: The coyote’s scientific name is Canis latrans.
What is the coyote’s habitat?
Answer: Coyotes can be found throughout North and Central America in a variety of habitats including forests grasslands deserts and even urban areas.
What is the coyote’s natural predator?
Answer: The coyote’s natural predators include wolves bears and cougars.
How often do coyotes reproduce?
Answer: Coyotes typically reproduce once per year with litters of anywhere from two to twelve pups.
At what age do coyotes reach sexual maturity?
Answer: Male coyotes typically reach sexual maturity at one year of age while females coyotes typically reach sexual maturity at two years of age.
How long is the coyote gestation period?
Answer: The coyote gestation period is approximately 63 days.
What is the primary threat to coyotes?
Answer: The primary threat to coyotes is humans through hunting trapping and vehicle collisions.
Are coyotes endangered?
Answer: No coyotes are not currently endangered.
What is the primary purpose of coyote hunting?
Answer: The primary purpose of coyote hunting is to protect livestock and game animals.
