The Journal of Wildlife Management - Deer populations are declining in the southeastern United States, and coyotes may be contributing to this decline. Although cause-and-effect studies have not been conducted, the expansion of the coyote's range and its increasing numbers have coincided with the decline in deer. Wildlife management policies, such as limiting hunting of deer or manipulating habitat to ensure greater fawn survival, may therefore need to be adjusted.
A commentary in the June issue of The Journal of Wildlife Management discusses the changing numbers of deer and coyotes in the southeastern United States and the lack of studies examining the issue. Hunting "harvest" was the primary source of mortality in the deer population into the mid-1990s, but a new source of mortality among deer is evidenced by the declining population.
Between 1997 and 2006, the deer population in the state of South Carolina decreased by 36%. Some restrictions on hunting, such as targeting male animals only, were imposed starting in the year 2000. While hunting harvest numbers have declined, the overall population has continued to decline as well. Large-scale habitat changes, including the establishment of pine plantations, also may have affected deer populations. But it is the growth of the coyote population that mirrors the decline of deer.
Historically, coyotes were restricted to western North America, but during the last 20 to 30 years their range and numbers have expanded. They now live throughout North and Central America and along the East Coast from New Brunswick, Canada, to the US state of Florida. The Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina is one of the few areas where deer and coyote populations have been documented in recent years.
In the past decade, annual model estimates of the deer population and harvest have veered off-course. "Spotlight" surveys in the field show declining numbers rather than the continued growth that was expected. No decrease in deer reproduction has been found at SRS that might explain the lower numbers. Nor have increases been indicated in disease-related mortality or deer-vehicle collisions.
The coyote, however, is a known predator of deer, particularly neonatal fawns. Research is needed to determine the scale of the impact of coyotes on deer populations. While it may be a welcome method of deer population control in addition to hunting, the level of coyote predation needs to be understood.
Full text of the article, "Can Coyotes Affect Deer Populations in Southeastern North America?" The Journal of Wildlife Management, Volume 74, Issue 5, 2010, is available at http://www2.allenpress.com/pdf/wild-74-05-929-933.pdf
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About The Journal of Wildlife Management
The Journal of Wildlife Management, published since 1937, is one of the world's leading scientific journals covering wildlife science, management, and conservation. It is published eight times per year by The Wildlife Society. To learn more about the society, please visit: http://joomla.wildlife.org/.
