Coyote Family Spatial Relationships with Reference to Poultry Losses

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Abstract
Spacing of 19 coyotes (C. latrans), representing 8 families, and their proximity to 2 turkey production sites (TPS) were studied during summer and fall 1976 and 1977 near Waverly, Nebraska [USA]. Of the 19 coyotes, 16 were radio-tagged and toe-clipped; 3 were ear-tagged and toe-clipped. Related pups remained closer together (average distance apart during day = 0.42 km, during night = 0.37 km) than related adults and pups (average distance apart during day = 1.15 km, during night = 1.59 km) or mated adults (average distance apart during day = 1.63 km, during night = 1.85 km). Family groups occupied nonoverlapping, contiguous home ranges. Three of 9 coyotes tracked during 1976 and 5 of 13 coyotes tracked in 1977 survived and remained on the area until the next denning season. Mortality due to hunting and trapping during the winter was 9 of 11 coyotes. Although 8 families ranged within 5 km of the TPS, only 3 tagged coyotes from 2 different families were responsible for losses. Pups were not responsible for increased turkey losses observed during late summer and fall.

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