Now my words again:

Based on studies by various biologists around the country and each of your own observations, it would seem that there are recognisable facts that would make you both correct in most cases, but also incorrect in some cases.

Since it is recognized that most coyotes hunt alone, isn't it possible that your "lone" coyote is part of a mated pair or larger family group (dare we use the term "pack"?)?

While neither of you believe that "packs" exist in coyote biology, biologists consider any family group of 3 or larger a "pack". It is apparent however, that "packs", when they occur, would likely consist of pups or adolescents whose presence is perhaps temporary as they will eventually strike out on their own.

One could argue that if 2 pups stay with the mating pair for 1-2 years, then that 4 coyote family group could legitimately be called a "pack" during such period of time as that family group consists of 4 coyotes.

It seems from all accounts that there is a 50% chance that when you are observing a coyote or have called in a single coyote, it is a much smaller chance that it is a solitary or transient coyote then it being one of a mating pair or family group. It would also seem likely that when 3 or more animals are called in at one time that this is one of those family groups and could correctly from a scientific perspective be called a pack.

Please tell me what you would call a group of 3 or more coyotes observed at one time if not a pack as that is the correct scientific term for such a group of coyotes.

As it seems that at any one time coyotes that you observe could be either a solitary animal, one or both of a mating pair, or one of a family group (pack???) that consists of 3 or more animals, I would hesitate to use the word FACT to express that coyotes do not "pack up" as it would appear a family group of multiple animals meets the scientific definition of a pack, even if it is a temporary condition.

I would hazard an educated guess that in wolf country, coyote "packs" would be more common as a logical defensive and security posture against their larger cousins who would be happy to kill their smaller competition when encountered.

It would be interesting to hear some other opinions on this notion that there are no such things as coyote "packs".

I'm not convinced based on the numbers of animals represented when I hear coyote vocalizations (i.e. greater than 3 animals)locally that they are not happy to exist in some numbers in close proximity to one another and if living in close proximity to one another sharing the same range, prey items, and denning areas, that one would not consider it a "pack".

Let the debate continue..............

Raptor

P.S. to the retired Chief - former USN enlisted here - 1988-1992 PN2 - USS Saratoga CV-60 - Homeport: Mayport, FL. Go Navy!



[/quote]

CR, I've seen & observed many adult pr's that had an established territory. I have also observed the yearlings, & or either adult hunting alone. Seen the adults hunt together, no pups. As well as seen both adults & one or more yearlings hunting/traveling together. The time I see these older established territorial pr's together "mainly" is during breeding season. Otherwise I often see them out hunting or when bedded down [alone].

Here in central Iowa. The breeding season is at it's peak 3rd wk in Jaunary. Typically drawing to an end mid-latter part of February. Main time table being a month or so. I'm sure breeding continues for another month or so. But it is more sporadic & far between.

One thing I never thought true. Only because I never witnessed it since 1968. Is when an adult pr of coyotes keeps back a yearling pup. I hunted hard for many yrs & never seen such a thing. Well until 2 seasons ago. This was latter part of January if I recall. Same season I witnessed an adult pr of Red Fox do the same thing. Keep back a yearling even through breeding season. Well I admit it now & I admitted it back then. I learned something I thought never existed. Whudja know BTW both the Red & coyote pup appeared to be a female. As they were both of a light frame & small size. Interesting.

Here CR, is an adult pr digging a den site. This was December 8th. Female laid by the entrance hole on/off for right around a month. Then they abandoned it for unknown reason[s].

I'm convinced when an adult female starts to come into heat. That is the trigger time when the pr/[mainly the adult male] scatters their yearlings.

Some experts remark Jan-Feb being the main breeding season. I don't diagree with that opinion/finding. However, some coyotes & Red Fox come into heat, prior & later than those two months. I'm also convinced breeding/in heat "can" take place over a 4 month time span.

December into March for example.

I lost almost all of my old pics. I was only able to salvage a handfull. This picture depicts my hunt terrain. Perfect for viewing. Pr of coyotes out near the 1/2 mile fenceline[top of pic]. Male doing all of the digging.

Good stuff, Kirby. More great photos as usual.

It would be great to be in an area where one could see the variety of predators and other wildlife that you have where you are.

You have been able to get a unique perspective on these animals that most of us will never have.

Raptor

Yeah it is great viewing open rolling cropland. No complaints. Our Son never took to hunting. Which is why I even join these boards. To show or help some young hunter cut their learning curve & have success.

All my yacking is nothing new for an old timer.

CR, I'm not good at copy & paste so bear with me. My remarks to some of the info you quoted.

Every mated pr I have ever observed. Scattered their yearlings come Winter time. A few of those [I.D'd]yearlings I've seen hang on the outer fringe of their parent's territory for a short while. But eventually left when breeding season kicked in. I don't happen to believe a pr of breeding coyotes adopt a non-related coyote. Specifically a non-related adult coyote. Why would they want non-related competition?
----------------------

After positively I.D'ing local pr's & family groups. As well as seeing nomads & neighboring coyote tresspassers. A key in intially I.D'ing a nomad/tresspasser is. They are on edge constantly scanning 360. I suspect they are on high alert from the locals? That is my take anyway.
----------------------------


All the local pr's I have ever observed. Scattered their yearlings come breeding season, or prior to breeding season. Only pr of coyotes I "ever seen" that didn't. Was the pr I noted previously, that kept back a yearling. Which I suspect was a female? pup. Which also was an extreme rarity for me to see. Since I have hunted them going on 43 yrs.

I've also seen small groups of coyotes of which I could not/wasn't able to positively I.D. Seen them all once, then they were gone. One group consisted of 4-males tagging along behind a lone female. That occured during breeding season.
----------------------

I suspect why my experiences/opinions sometimes vary from others. Is for one reason, due to differing geogrpahical regions & prey size for example. Such as, mountain coyote behavior compared to small farm land coyote behavior. I expect (some varied differences between the two), but not all that much difference.

Interesting stuff, Kirby. The reason that the pack question keeps coming up in my mind (lacking any similar field observations myself that you have experienced) is based on a pack observation and vocalizations in Arizona while visiting my wife's grandmother and multiple coyote vocalizations that I have had the pleasure of hearing near me in south central Florida and also on my uncle's hunt lease in the Florida panhandle.

The Arizona thing was quite funny. I had remarked to my wife that I had never seen a coyote and wanted to try to get a glimpse of one. This was years ago before the thought of pursuing them in the field was even a thought. We drove the rental car up into the mountains overlooking Lake Havasu with my brother-in-law and his wife with a 12-pack and high hopes. Well, a couple of hours later, disappointed about seeing a coyote, but enjoying the stars and good company we drove back down the mountain into her grandmother's neighborhood.

1/2 a block from her house I slammed on the brakes as 5 coyotes ran across the suburban street right in front of the car. They weren't in the mountains! They were in town knocking over trash cans and looking for cats and small dogs! All we could do was laugh.

Anyway, a few days later we were in Sedona, AZ at a hotel and a "pack" went off for about 2 minutes less than a hundred yards from the hotel. We tried to determine how many there were by the vocalizations, but it was certainly 3 or more.

Fast forward to present day Florida and the 2010 general gun season and we had a "pack" howling throughout the night on a nearby WMA, waking me up several times as we camped. Again, multiple dogs vocalizing in a small area. This also occurred in the Panhandle hunting deer with my uncles. Multiple dogs making vocalizations.

The Arizona pack may have been exceptional as they were "suburban coyotes". Maybe those coyotes that have become town dwellers behave differently due to environment or maybe the "pack" was a larger family group that had not yet disbanded.

As far as the vocalizations that I have observed here in Florida, it was easy to determine multiple animals in a small given area communicating. Is it possible these are extended family groupings within an area, co-existing peacefully and "staying in touch" during the evening feeding times yet not denning together?

There has to be an explanation for these situations. Also, I caught a video on YouTube where Randy Anderson fires up a group of coyotes with coyote vocals and he called in either 4 or 5 which all responded to his calls vocally then came in as a group quite angry about the trespasser. They communicated as a pack and "attacked" as a co-ordinated group.

In my mind, based on a combination of your observations, my own observations and biological studies, it sounds as if mating pairs are the rule with some period of time where the yearlings are tolerated until the next breeding event.

And on occasion and even more exceptional, but certainly possible, situations where coyotes can be found in larger packs of 3 or more animals such as what I saw in Arizona and on the Anderson video.

It is interesting, regardless.

Raptor

One scenario that sticks in my head, as hard to believe. Is neighboring territorial non-related coyotes banding together to hunt large prey. Such as deer, ect.

Seeing 1st hand local pr's advancing on a lone tresspasser. Et seeing that tresspasser flee. Leaves me to believe tresspassing overrides, the so-called non-related group hunting & or tolerance.


IMO, if/when non-related territorial groups end up killing/feeding on a large prey kill. I suspect that happens if/when that prey was killed on a [territory buffer overlap/ no-mans land] area. Between neighboring family groups territory. Thus, that may be why alpha pr's will tolerate non-related coyotes. On these outer territorial fringe areas.

Otherwise these neighboring non-related family groups would been seen together interacting more often.

I do believe if/when neighboring family groups do hunt together. Is based mainly upon, that they are related vs non-related.