Coyote of Wolf?
 

We were driving on a back road in Moultonborough yesterday and spotted what was most likely a Coyote crossing the road and heading off into the woods. We slowed down to take a look at it and it paused for a moment and did the same.

What made me wonder about it was the size. This was a big dog. According to what I've seen on the web, Coyotes run 30-50 pounds, and this looked more in the 70-80 pound range. I've had German Shepherds all my life, so I have a pretty good idea of the size/weight thing. My current Shepherd is 80 pounds, and this Coyote was about the same size, even allowing for the bushy fur.

According to what I've read on the web, there is research to show that the Eastern Coyote is related to the Wolf. So it's probably a big Coyote, rather than a Wolf, but it has me wondering. Anyone else seen anything like this this year?

two things...
 

One: most of the coyotes I have seen, here and in Idaho, tend to have their back ends sit a little lower to the ground.

Two: Most dogs and wolves run with their tails up while coyotes tend to run with their tails pointing more to the ground.

Think back to what you can remember, and see if this helps.

Thanks for sharing your sighting.

Re: Coyote or Wolf?
 

Eastern coyotes have a good amount of wolf in them through interbreeding, and a full grown male can be quite large. This time of year, their Winter coat can make them appear larger still. I saw one just the other day that had the most beautiful golden coat, unlike the shaggy tan/brown that I have seen during the Summer months. Chances of seeing a wolf around here are pretty slim.

Coyote - Deer
 

Maybe this will help..

On the same night I had a coyote (same one that's been around all winter) eating some of the deer apples i have out. Followed a few hours later by some deer.

Looks like a full grown deer and you can see the size of the coyote.

I think the deer were watching for the coyote, because lot's of nights we have both eating the apples.



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Here is an image of a Coyote I photographed back in 2006 and what an expert from NH Fish & Game had to say about it:

Hi Paul, The animal photographed, in this magnificent photo, is an eastern coyote. Eastern coyotes have wolf genetics, thus is a "cross" considering an evolutionary biologist stand point.

My identification is based on the ear to head proportion, head size, nose shape and ear shape. I also used the beech leaves as an approximate scale.

Given the animals robust size and body shape I can understand why some would believe the animal is wolf. However it is not the body size and shape that assist biologist with wild canid identification. Given that eastern coyotes are a cross of western coyote/wolf genetics, a large coyote can look wolf like and a small wolf can look coyote like. Thus, biologist look at the details I used above.

Another identifier of coyote versus wolf is the animals tail use when moving. Wolves point the tail straight out when moving, eastern coyotes keep the tail down. I could not use this identifier as it appears the animal was standing still when photographed.

Sincerely,

Patrick Tate
New Hampshire Fish & Game Department
Furbearer Project Leader
Region 3 Wildlife Biologist
225 Main St, Durham NH, 03824


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SteveA - You don't "feed" the deer "training" them for hunting season I hope!

:eek::(

No.. I'm not a hunter, nor have I ever been a hunter. My property is pretty much "in town" Gilford along the Gunstock River and a posted no hunting zone, very residential.

I have no problem with hunting or hunters, I just couldn't kill any animal intentional. (Please, no debates from hunters.. I've got zero problems with you hunting, I just couldn't do it personally) I only hunt them with my camera! LOL

I used to hunt but kind of lost the heart old age I guess. :D Also, disliking the cold and snow more and more doesn't help either. ;)

I'm in Moultonborough as well, near the Long Island bridge. We have a circulator keeping water open around our permanent dock. In February I posted some pictures on FB showing large footprints leading up to the open water, where an animal had obviously come for a drink.

One of the answers to my post was "coyote" but at the time I didn't think a coyote would leave prints as large as what I saw. Now I think that was probably the correct response.

Steve:

It is a bad idea to feed deer for a number of reasons. It is illegal to feed them anytime in Vermont. It is illegal to feed deer during certain times in NH. Below is the state of NH's position on feeding deer:

Please do not feed the deer. Feeding deer makes them vulnerable to predation and vehicle collisions, among other things. Fed deer tend to travel more in the winter going between feeding sites and exhaust their fat stores. Unfed deer tend to travel less, stay in natural winter deer yards, and conserve their resources to survive the winter -- the natural survival strategies that have served them for eons. Another concern is that feeding deer can make them more vulnerable to disease. Diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease could seriously threaten New Hampshire's deer herd, and feeding of deer creates the highest potential to spread the disease quickly if it shows up in the state. For more information on why you should not feed deer, click to download "More Harm Than Good"* (PDF, 956KB). To learn more about making your yard more attractive to wildlife -- naturally -- try downloading UNH Cooperative Extension's document, New Hampshire's Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines With Wildlife Value*

Thank you SC.. I was not aware, (shame on me) of all of the interesting information in your post.

I'm going to end the apples. Haven't actually seen any deer on the camera for a few months any way. I suspect they have moved on to a better wintering spot. The only critters I've had lately are a flock of Turkey, crows and some squirrels.
Good time to stop!

Appreciate the heads up and thanks for the advice.

SteveA

Thanks Again SC.
 

I did D/L the info from the state, turns out I have lots of stuff there naturally and didn't need to add the apples at all.

Thanks Again!

You're welcome Steve. I think feeding wild animals is a common mistake that many well intentioned individuals make. It will be interesting to see how much activity you get on your camera with just the native foods. Good luck.