Coyote activity on the farm has become less noticeable in terms of vocalizations recently, but the subtle signs remain for those who know where to look. From early spring to late fall, a well-trodden tractor path bordering the conservation reserve program (CRP) and our soybean field was a hub of wildlife movement. Throughout the summer evenings, a coyote regularly patrolled this path. As the corn grew taller, it seemed their interest shifted towards the abundant mice and rabbits in the neighboring cornfield. October brought fleeting glimpses – blurry photos hinting at a coyote pair hunting in the harvested soybean field. On one night, October 28th, the camera captured a sequence of nocturnal visitors: a young buck at 1:27 am, a coyote at 3:29 am, and a bobcat at 5:51 am, all using the same path, just at different times. The last coyote photo from that camera dates back to November 24th. Now, while coyote calls are fewer, the telltale signs of their presence, especially Coyote Paw Prints, can still be found across the farm.
Alt text: Clear coyote paw print in mud showing four toes and claw marks, illustrating track identification.
An intriguing article on bobcat-coyote interactions sheds light on some of these observations. A dense wooded area at the farm’s edge, near the cornfield, appears to be favored by deer, yet coyotes seem to bypass it. On several occasions, a coyote was observed trotting through the exposed hayfield parallel to the woods to reach the cornfield. It’s likely the hayfield, despite offering less concealment, provides easier and quicker passage compared to the dense undergrowth. Recently, a bobcat, seemingly a large adult comparable in size to a coyote, has also shown interest in this wooded area. It’s plausible that both species prefer to avoid direct confrontation, with coyotes generally considered the more dominant species, as suggested by the article.
The game camera incident, unfortunately, yielded no clear images of deer aggression. The camera, securely fastened over four feet high, was found flipped upwards the next morning, facing the tree, with scratches and dents. A photo of a large buck followed by a white flash was the only record. It’s speculated that the buck, disliking the camera flash, intentionally targeted it.
A recent discovery in the driveway – a piece of deer flesh – raised questions. While our farm dog might have been responsible, finding deer remains later in the hayfield further suggests coyote activity and potential predation. Could coyotes have taken down a deer on our farm? Observing coyote paw prints in the vicinity of these findings could offer further clues and confirm their involvement. Recognizing coyote paw prints becomes essential in understanding their movements and impact on the farm ecosystem. By learning to identify these tracks, we can piece together the story of these fascinating canids and their role in our shared landscape.
Alt text: Series of coyote tracks in snow showing the typical pattern and stride of a coyote, useful for winter wildlife tracking.
