Confirmation of Coyote Predation on Adult Female White-Tailed Deer in the Southeastern United States

Chitwood, M. Colter; Lashley, Marcus A.; Moorman, Christopher E.; DePerno, Christopher S.

doi:10.1656/058.013.0316

Cited by 36 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In addition, we likely underestimated the proportion of fawns in scats because we only positively identified those scats with small hooves as containing fawns rather than adult deer. It is notable that while Coyote predation on adult White-tailed Deer in the Southeast appears uncommon (Blanton andHill 1989, Kilgo et al 2010), Chitwood et al (2014) documented multiple instances of Coyote predation on adult White-tailed Deer at FBMI.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Coyote Diet Composition at a Low-Productivity Site

Swingen¹,

DePerno²,

Moorman³

2015

Southeastern Naturalist

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Coyote Diet Composition at a Low-Productivity Site

Swingen¹,

DePerno²,

Moorman³

2015

Southeastern Naturalist

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“…, but see Chitwood et al. ). Thus, we conclude the seasonal pattern we observed in adult female behavior is most logically attributed to the seasonal differences in susceptibility of fawns to predation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2), though we cannot be sure of the frequency at which these events occur. In contrast, predation of adult females by coyotes is very rare (Kilgo et al 2016, but see Chitwood et al 2014). Table 3.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral response of white‐tailed deer to coyote predation risk

et al. 2018

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Behavioral responses of prey to predation risk can affect lower trophic levels. White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter deer) increase vigilance in response to coyote (Canis latrans) presence, but vigilance responses to spatiotemporal variation in coyote abundance are unknown. Therefore, we examined the relationship between deer foraging behavior and coyote abundance on two 2000‐ha study areas in Georgia, USA, during 2010–2013. We used baited camera traps during fall and winter to quantify deer behavior (i.e., feeding or vigilant) and estimated coyote abundance using fecal genotyping to noninvasively mark and recapture individuals. During 2011 and 2012, coyote removals were implemented on each study area. Coyote abundance (i.e., predation risk) varied spatiotemporally and was a predictor of foraging behavior during at least one season for all sex‐age classes of deer except juveniles. Adult males were more sensitive to predation risk in winter, after the breeding season, whereas adult females were sensitive to predation risk during both seasons, but more so during fall when offspring are at greater risk. Yearling males were more sensitive to predation risk than adult males, and juveniles were least sensitive to predation risk, likely because of inexperience and high energetic demands. Reproductive chronology explained sex‐specific and seasonal antipredator responses to predation risk, but there was a non‐linear relationship between indirect predator effects and direct predation risk for some sex‐age classes. Our results suggest deer detect and respond behaviorally to variation in coyote abundance. Due to the widespread distribution of deer and their interactions at multiple trophic levels, the ecological implications of this finding may be wide‐reaching.

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“…Predation by coyotes on adult deer is generally low, except during severe northern winters or periods of deep snowfall (Whitlaw et al , Patterson and Messier ). However, predation by coyotes on adult females in a North Carolina study accounted for greater mortality rates than both hunter harvest and deer–vehicle collisions (Chitwood et al ), suggesting the possibility that predation on adult females may be more important in the region than was previously believed. In the southeastern United States, mortality sources other than harvest and predation to which adult white‐tailed deer commonly succumb include disease and parasites, deer–vehicle collisions, and miscellaneous other accidents (Matschke et al ).…”

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confidence: 95%

Factors affecting survival of adult female white‐tailed deer after coyote establishment in south Carolina

et al. 2016

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Recent evidence from the southeastern United States of high predation rates by coyotes (Canis latrans) on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns combined with reports of predation on adult female deer have prompted concern among wildlife managers and hunters regarding the effects on deer populations. We examined survival rates and causes of mortality among 138 radiocollared adult female deer over 7 years at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, 2006-2013. Our model-averaged prediction of annual survival was 0.871 (95% CI ¼ 0.839-0.902) and did not vary among years. The best model describing survival patterns included only month, with survival being lowest during November-December, which coincided with hunting season. Models assessing the effects of harvest and distance from a primary road also received support (DAIC c < 2.0), but effects of these variables were weak. Although harvest rates were low, harvest was the most frequent cause of mortality (13 of 30; 43%), followed by deer-vehicle collision (8 of 30; 27%). We did not detect predation as a cause of death among our sample; although cause of death for 7 (23%) mortalities was unknown. Even if all unknown mortalities were caused by predation, the overall effect of these mortalities on annual survival was low. Therefore, we conclude that predation by coyotes on adult females was not important in the SRS deer population demography. Managers of southern deer populations wishing to increase population growth by limiting antlerless harvest should be aware that adult female survival may already be high, so limited increases in survival may be expected, particularly if antlerless harvest already is limited. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

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Confirmation of Coyote Predation on Adult Female White-Tailed Deer in the Southeastern United States

Cited by 36 publications

References 11 publications

Seasonal Coyote Diet Composition at a Low-Productivity Site

Seasonal Coyote Diet Composition at a Low-Productivity Site

Behavioral response of white‐tailed deer to coyote predation risk

Factors affecting survival of adult female white‐tailed deer after coyote establishment in south Carolina

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