I have read several studies on coyotes. And most states studies that I have read on the internet show they have a very significant impact on deer.

 

If populations are low enough, predators alone could probably keep the population in check. In some areas os PA, this may be occurring.

 

the last 4 coyote i shot have all been chasing deer when i shot them. i think its alot higher than they would lead you to belive.

 

I see a lot of droppings with deer hair in them. And i am sure it is not all just from scavenging.

I like having coyotes around. I like to hunt them, and it might sound strange but they also add to the wildlife diversity and make Pa seem like a wilder place by them being here compared to years ago when there were very few and in most places none. But yeah, I think they do kill a good bit of deer and the coyotes need to be kept in check.

 

I'm thinking the impact is too low.....don't know the figures tho.

 

I should have added not just adults but fawns too. I've been told that they are both pretty hard on fawns, just wondering how accurate that theory might be.

 

If populations are low enough, predators alone could probably keep the population in check. In some areas os PA, this may be occurring.

I believe you are right and I definitely believe it is occurring, at least in one of the areas I frequent.

 

They both get their fair share of fawns, but it basically depends on the habitat type, and to some degree the density of the predators. Statewide, out of all fawn mortality, roughly 46% is due to predation. Of that 46%, bears kill roughly 33%, and coyotes kill roughly 37%. Predation is relatively high in forested areas with a sparse understory, around 70%, and relatively low in agricultural areas, around 17%. Predation affects on healthy adult deer are minimal.

 

Borden811, those numbers are in line with what my general thoughts were. Curious what the source of that data is?

 

Survival rates, mortality causes, and habitats of Pennsylvania white-tailed deer fawns

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/714802/fawn_survival_pdf


12 pages located on the deer management page of the GC website

 

Abstract

Estimates of survival and cause-specific mortality of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
fawns are important to population management. We quantified cause-specific mortality,
survival rates, and habitat characteristics related to fawn survival in a forested landscape
and an agricultural landscape in central Pennsylvania. We captured and radiocollared
neonatal (<3 weeks) fawns in 2000–2001 and monitored fawns from capture until
death, transmitter failure or collar release, or the end of the study. We estimated survivorship
functions and assessed influence on fawn survival of road density, habitat edge density,
habitat patch diversity, and proportion of herbaceous habitat. We captured 110 fawns
in the agricultural landscape and 108 fawns in the forested landscape. At 9 weeks after
capture, fawn survival was 72.4% (95% CI=63.3–80.0%) in the agricultural landscape and
57.2% (95% CI=47.5–66.3%) in the forested landscape. Thirty-four-week survival was
52.9% (95% CI = 42.7–62.8%) in the agricultural landscape and 37.9% (95% CI =
27.7–49.3%) in the forested landscape. We detected no relationship between fawn survival
and road density, percent herbaceous cover, habitat edge density, or habitat patch
diversity (all P>0.05). <span style="font-weight: bold">Predation accounted for 46.2% (95% CI=37.6–56.7%) of 106 mortalities
through 34 weeks. We attributed 32.7% (95% CI=21.9–48.6%) and 36.7% (95%
CI=25.5–52.9%) of 49 predation events to black bears (Ursus americanus) and coyotes
(Canis latrans), respectively. Natural causes, excluding predation, accounted for 27.4%
(95% CI=20.1–37.3) of mortalities. Fawn survival in Pennsylvania was comparable to
reported survival in forested and agricultural regions in northern portions of the whitetailed
deer range. We have no evidence to suggest that the fawn survival rates we observed
were preventing population growth.</span> Because white-tailed deer are habitat generalists,
home-range-scale habitat characteristics may be unrelated to fawn survival; therefore,
future studies should consider landscape-related characteristics on fawn survival.

 

Bluetick beat me to it. Click his link, it's all in there. It's a good read if numbers are your thing, and you like to read. I happened to be lucky enough put collars on a good number of those fawns.

 

"In some northern states, deer herd densities are relatively low and their habitat consists of vast wild areas with severe winter weather. In Maine, food habitat studies showed that white-tailed deer made up 50-60% of the coyote’s diet, and this predation had the potential to have significant negative effects on the deer herd. Coyote predation in the high mountain areas of West Virginia with lower deer populations and severe winters is likely to have more effect on the deer herd than in areas with higher deer populations."

 

I think it was January 2011 at the quarterly meeting that a rep from unified presented a presentation on what he thought were excessive predation on deer by coyotes and bears. I recall he was more concerned with coyotes. He got like 15 or 20 minutes of meeting time to make his uninterrupted presentation.

The BOC then asked him questions for about 10 minutes or so.

When Rosenberry finished his presentation, the BOC then asked him questions on the topic for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Basically, if predation or all other farm mortality was an issue, it would show up in the harvest reports and other data. It doesn't and Rosenberry went through the data sets explaining where it would show up and why.

A very detailed Q & A session for all concerned and it was off the cuff as the allotment of time to Unified was granted that morning - as I understand it.

As important, the Furbearer Section biologist was called in to answer about another 20 minutes of questions on the topic as well - in addition to his usual staff presentation.

 

Yea, looks really interesting actually. And if those numbers are from 2001, I have a feeling that the bear predation has increased a fair amount since then. A lot more bears in my area (Warren Cty) since that time anyway. Thanks.

 

Had to have been 2010 on a bit of reflection.

 

In the end, the discussion revolved around the need for (or not) for another study to update the figures.

Funding was the issue that resolved the question. No money was available for the study then or seen on the horizon. Though there was support at that point to do another study if the funds became available.

 

My area of 2A has a high yote population and they have lowered our deer numbers, but i have noticed a huge decline in groundhogs over the last five years or so. I used to kill 30 to 40 hogs over the summer now i am lucky to get 8 to 10.

 

I am pretty certain they have a bad impact. I remember when we had deer and I went out after season just to get out and look around. Every deer trail or track I saw also had yote tracks there. One thing once the deer vanished the coyotes pretty much thinned out so my assumption is that yes deer are a staple of coyotes in the winter especially and when the deer disappear most of the coyote population will follow.

 

My area of 2A has a high yote population and they have lowered our deer numbers, but i have noticed a huge decline in groundhogs over the last five years or so. I used to kill 30 to 40 hogs over the summer now i am lucky to get 8 to 10.

The groundhog population here is definitely down. Rabbits are still thick. I have lost only one lamb to coyotes that I know for certain. My tame turkey hens took a beating this Spring so no more free-range for them while setting their nests. Our bobcat population is high, but I don't know what effect they have on fawn mortality. My boys and I hope to adjust the population of coyotes and bobcats by trapping. Seems tough to arrive at a balance point with all of the factors at play. I don't believe in total extermination, but rather enough less so that I'm not seeing so many on a weekly basis in broad daylight. Thanks to all of you for your input, it is appreciated.

 

seems no one is worried about how many fawns the bobcat population is taking....i find this very strange...better wake up gentlemen as the bobcat population continues to rise i will guarantee they are a major player in the predation on the fawns here in PA!!!!!

 

I think the Coyotes are killing more deer than hunters in some areas. I live in Berks County. In the 60's thru the 80's I never seen or heard of a Coyote in the area. By about the mid 90's I seen a pack of Coyotes running down a deer. By 2005 this area is so thick with Coyotes that you can hear them howling every night during archery season.
Where did the Coyotes come from? That is what I would like to know. They must multiply like rabbits. Maybe its time for deer hunters to start hunting Coyotes? Exterminate them.

 

Most of the deer hunters I know do hunt coyotes. You'll never exterminate them! Times change, you've got to adapt. I remember 10-15 years ago, there weren't many stink bugs. Now your part if the state is crawling with them. Where did they come from?

 

Not as major as you might think. Out of 200 fawns in the above mentioned study, I think they killed three. The bobcats died consists mainly if rodents. Yes they take deer on occasion, but they aren't a significant factor. They aren't mountain lions!

 

The Apex predator in this state has to be Auto's
They must be the biggest X factor....& if u believe the insurance industry
When they cry the impact must be huge!
Just imagine the ones you see dead on side of road is a small portion of what makes it off the road into the woods to expire...
& since roads criss-cross millions of miles vehicles are the number one form of predation in this state IMHO..year round!
. Bear & coyote I would suspect don't nearly equal Chevy, ford, peterbilt etc
Across adult, fawn populations...& across bear & yore populations too...
How are they accounted for??