Georgia Coyotes

Several weeks ago on GON.com a great article was published that discussed hunting opportunities for coyotes. The in-depth article provided excellent hunting techniques for how to reduce the negative impact they have on our deer and turkey populations. Let’s dive in a little deeper to this species.

Coyotes inhabit all of our 159 counties. However, they were not here in big populations before the 1970s. How’d they get here and why?

Research indicates that they may have been introduced by fox hunters for their dogs. However, they were probably making their way toward Georgia and points east with the abundant agriculture found here. In Cherokee lore, the coyote represents loyalty and the ability to find humor in dark times. Also known as a “trickster,” they can teach us to be mindful in our actions and the impacts that may follow.

I can attest to their stealth while navigating the woods. The critters are shifty for sure. I’ve had several crossings with them while hunting. In each, they appear briefly and then they’re gone. Once, while bowhunting I had a shot at one. By the time I drew back to take aim, it was like a sense kicked in that told the coyote that something was not right and in that instance, it vanished.

Many encounters with coyotes happen by chance during deer and turkey seasons. Although they feed on small rodents like mice and rats and can feast on watermelon, they can have an impact on young deer and turkeys, too. They’re opportunistic hunters and will circle in to attack animals they locate, probably a reason that many turkey hunters will have a shot at them.

As humans have changed the landscape of much of their habitat, coyotes have also taken up residence in urban settings. This opens up the opportunity to seek and kill small pets. I’ve had several friends lose their dogs to coyote attacks. GON has played a solid role in the effort to reduce the coyote population with our annual Coyote Cull. For over a decade, GON has promoted and publicized getting hunters to take out coyotes during the time of year when fawns and turkey poults are being born. To those of you who have been involved, congrats on a job well done. Keep it going!