Response of captive coyotes to renardine coyote repellent

Abstract

Renardine 1 is a bone tar product available for use as a coyote (Canis latrans) repellent in Canada. The substance is applied to pasture borders to prevent coyotes from entering and attacking sheep. Because data regarding the effectiveness of Renardine are lacking, we designed two experiments. In the first, six pairs of coyotes were first presented with 400 g of ground meat in two pans (200 g/pan) with false screen bottoms. Beneath the screens were absorbent tubes wetted with lO ml of distilled water. Subsequently, during a treaunent period, the absorbent tube was wetted with l 0 ml of Renardine. Pans were presented for 60 minutes, and the amount of time to consume the meat was recorded. In the second experiment, six additional pairs of coyotes were first presented with 200 g of ground meat inside a barrier created with baling twine and wooden dowels. The area inside the barrier was 1 m 2 , and the twine was tied onto the dowels 0.25 m above the ground. During the treaunent period, the twine and dowels were painted with Renardine. In both experiments, all coyote pairs consumed all of the ground meat shortly after presentation. We conclude that Renardine probably is not an effective coyote repellent. However, because the active ingredient in Renardine is bone tar oil and bone tar oil is deer repellent, we speculate that Renardine may have utility as an herbivore repellent.

Developing methods for managing coyote problems -- another decade of progress, 1991-2001

“…Over a number of years, our research group has investigated the effectiveness of many commercially available or candidate coyote deterrents. Recent studies include evaluation of capsicum collars (Burns and Mason 1996), chemical paints (Zemlicka and Mason 2000), and a variety of bittering agents (Mason and McConnell 1997). None of these have shown reliable aversive effects for protecting livestock.…”