Adult gray wolf, Canis lupus

Coyotes, Wolves, and Feral Dogs

These predators prey on animals ranging from big game and livestock to rodents, wild birds, and poultry. Coyotes are the most common and most serious predator of livestock in the western United States (Wade and Bowns 1982) and are rapidly becoming a problem throughout the east. Coyotes normally kill livestock with a bite in the throat, but they infrequently pull the animal down by attacking the side, hindquarters, and udder. The rumen and intestines may be removed and dragged away from the carcass. On small lambs, the upper canine teeth may penetrate the top of the neck or the skull. Calf predation by coyotes is most common when calves are young. Calves that are attacked, but not killed, exhibit wounds in the flank, hindquarters, or front shoulders; often their tails are chewed off near the top. Deer carcasses are frequently completely dismembered and eaten (Bowns 1976).

Complaints of pets being killed by coyotes have increased with urbanization (Howell 1982). Also, the increase in the number of reported human attacks has created additional concern for urban dwellers. Avocado producers using drip irrigation systems report that coyotes chew holes in plastic pipe and disrupt irrigation (Cummings 1973). Coyotes damage watermelons by biting holes through the melons and eating the centers out; raccoons, on the other hand, make small holes in the melons and scoop the pulp out with their front paws. Coyotes will also damage other fruit crops.

Wolves prey on larger ungulates such as caribou, moose, elk, and cattle. Wolves usually bring down these animals by cutting or damaging the muscles and ligaments in the back legs or by seizing the victim in the flanks. Slash marks made by the canine teeth may be found on the rear legs and flanks. The downed animals usually are disemboweled.

Domestic dogs can be a serious problem to livestock, especially to sheep pastured near cities and suburbs. Dogs often attack the hindquarters, flanks, and head of livestock. They rarely kill as effectively as coyotes (Green et al. 1994). Normally, little flesh is consumed. Dogs are likely to wound the animal in the neck and front shoulders; the ears often are badly torn. Attacking dogs often severely mutilate the victim (Bowns and Wade 1980).

Coyote and dog tracks are similar but distinguishable. Dog tracks are round with the toes spread apart. Toenail marks are usually visible on all toes (Dorsett 1987). Coyote tracks are more rectangular and the toes are closer together. If any toenail marks show, they are usually of the middle toes. Also, coyote tracks appear in a straight line whereas those of a dog are staggered.

Summary of Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion

Net wire fences. Electric fences.

Cultural Methods

Proper disposal of dead livestock carcasses. Do not allow calving or lambing on remote, wooded pastures. Pen small flocks of sheep at night or bring near buildings.

Frightening

Livestock guarding dogs. Flashing lights and siren devices.

Toxicants

None are registered.

Trapping

No. 4, 14, 114, or 4 1/2 Newhouse leg hold traps, No. 4 or 7 McBride traps, Braun wolf trap. Thompson 4xx or 5xx snares, Gregerson No. 14 wolf snare. Trapping seasons for legal fur harvest.

Shooting

Use predator calls or voice howling to lure wolves into rifle range. Aerial hunting from a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. Hunting seasons for legal fur harvest.

Other Methods

Use a dart gun to chemically immobilize wolves from a helicopter. Long-range land-use planning should take into account potential conflicts between wolves and livestock.