I realize my local coyote, regionally, have seemed to change greatly. I used to hear them regularly. Or see them in distance, checking the dogs out. This has mostly ceased. They are here. I see as many signs (scat, footprints) as ever. But they literally, all of them, have become ghostlike. Now, they even rarely defy the dogs via calls and never come in our direction.
After talking with local ranchers, hunters, and some tribal members, the general consensus is the wolves have altered their behaviors. The coyote are still thriving, but they seem to only challenge lone wolves, and this during pup denning.
Otherwise, it seems they’ve truly become ghost-like. There are at least 2 packs locally, and some loners. The two territorial packs regularly sweep their areas in hunts and patrols. And any stranger canids they meet often are chased off if lucky, run down if not lucky or slow.
For hunters, this means large hounds no longer are able to hunt etc. They are loud, isolated and cannot cope with territorial wolves, who simply see them as trespassers on the loudest scale.
Coyote don’t have the issues hounds have. . .but face the same dangers. Wolves DO NOT tolerate them. So. . .they’ve become ghosts. Truly.
I’m glad coyotes have adapted instantly to local wolves. But admit, am shocked at the complete change. I always thought of coyote as very vocal and fairly easy to spot. This elusive, ghostlike, quieter type….is new to me. I miss their calls and songs. They are still everywhere. But now…are never predictable in sight or sound.
Warmly
Lou
[PS from Janet: I’ve noticed this type of change, on a smaller scale, when new huskies began coming to one of the parks. The huskies pursue the coyotes to the point where now the coyotes (in one particular park) are sticking to peripheral areas where they can quickly flee into hiding. We aren’t seeing them as regularly as before: not quite as stark as your change, but nevertheless a palpable change due to a threat.]
