Coyotes & You William M. Giuliano Wildlife Extension Specialist Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation University of Florida/IFAS

How many coyotes are in Florida? Unknown Increasing Come from?

Where do coyotes live in Florida? Everywhere Generalist

Problems associated with coyotes Predation on livestock –Sheep –Calves –Hogs –Poultry

Problems associated with coyotes Crop losses –Watermelons

Problems associated with coyotes Kill pets –Dogs –Cats Hybridization –“coydog”

Problems associated with coyotes Effects on other wildlife –Predation Sea turtle nests Rabbits Deer –Competition Fox Bobcat

Problems associated with coyotes Disease –Rabies

Problems associated with coyotes Attacks on people –Exceptionally rare –Florida

Recognizing damage Livestock Scavenging

Recognizing damage Tracks and scat

Management of coyote populations Integrated Pest Management –Removal Hunting/shooting Trapping Repellents Guard animals –Exclusion –Cultural methods and habitat modification

Management of coyote populations Potential problems with removal –Ground nesting birds –Removing the “good” ones

Can they be controlled? Control: difficult at best –>75% of population each year –Density-dependent reproduction Eradication: very unlikely

Control measures: Removal Gun, bow, livetrap, and snare –No closed season –Permit needed to shoot at night –Calls & lures –Tracking with dogs –Effective –Labor intensive

Control measures: Removal Trapping –#3 coil or long-spring trap –Effective and versatile –Skill required –Special permit required

Control measures: Removal Poisons –Illegal in Florida!

Control measures: Repellents Sonic and visual –Some benefits Chemicals –Not effective

Control measures: Guard Animals Dogs Llamas Donkeys –All very effective –Expensive

Control measures: Exclusion Fencing –Effective –Expensive

Control measures: Cultural Methods & Habitat Modification Pasture selection Lighting Herding Lamb and calf inside Remove carrion –All can help

Coyotes: Here to stay!

More Detailed Information William M. Giuliano Wildlife Extension Specialist Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation University of Florida/IFAS PO Box Gainesville, FL