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Techniques for Estimating Coyote Abundance University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Symposium Proceedings—Coyotes in the Southwest: A Compendium of Our Knowledge Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center (1995) for April 1995 TECHNIQUES FOR ESTIMATING COYOTE ABUNDANCE Scott E. Henke Texas A&M University- Kingsville, Kingsville, TX Fred F. Knowlton USDA-APHIS Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/coyotesw Part of the Environmental Health and Protection Commons Henke, Scott E. and Knowlton, Fred F., "TECHNIQUES FOR ESTIMATING COYOTE ABUNDANCE" (1995). Symposium Proceedings—Coyotes in the Southwest: A Compendium of Our Knowledge (1995). 28. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/coyotesw/28 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Symposium Proceedings—Coyotes in the Southwest: A Compendium of Our Knowledge (1995) by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. TECHNIQUES FOR ESTIMATING COYOTE ABUNDANCE SCOTT E. HENKE, Caesar Kleberg Wlldlife Research Institute, Campus Box 2 18, Texas A&M University- Kingsvllle, Kingsville, TX 78363 FRED F. KNOWLTON, USDA-APHIS Denver Wildlife Research Center, Utah State Univers~ty,Logan, Utah 84322-5295 Absirad Knowledge of coyote abundance is needed to make intelligent management decisions Several methods have been devised to ennumerate coyote (Canis latrans) population size. We review several techniques and attempt to identify biases associated with each method. Once biases are understood, recommendations can be made to minimize theu impact on data collection processes and yield better estimates of coyote population trends. Enumerat~onof population status (i e ,denslty, Methods used to estimate coyote population trends) is impostant in research and management of slze, dens~ty,and relative abundance have included wildlife. Management of coyote populations has scent stations (Linhart and Knowlton 1975, typically involved population control (Beasom Roughton and Sweeney 1982), vocalization 1974). Ranchers may be interested in the number of responses (Okoniewsk~and Chambers 1984), scat coyotes in an area to assess the potentla1 severity of counts (Andelt and Andelt 1984), mark-recapture livestock losses (Scrivnel- et al. 1985). Wildlife (Clark 1972), removal (Z~ppln1958), rad~oisotope managers sometunes attempt to reduce the density of markers (Crabtree et al 1989), aerial surveys (Nellis coyotes to aid I-ecruitment of game species (Beasom and Keith 19761, and radiotelemet~y(Andelt 1985) 1974, Gamer et al. 1978, Hamlin et al. 1984) However, all methods provide vanable results and Assessing populat~onslze has been 1 method to none glve a complete census of coyote populations judge the success of such management PI-ograms. (Spowal-t and Samson 1986). A census is a Unfo~tunately,estimation of coyote population size complete count of evely animal within the is difficult because of species' secretive behaviol- and populat~on Obv~ously,because of the behavior of low dens~t~es. coyotes, a census is not practical Coyote populat~onsize can be expressed as Our purpose here is to identify methods which density or relative abundance. However, these te~ms can be used to assess coyote abundance and to are sometimes confused and used erroneously. ~dentifysome mer~tsand problems of each. While Population density is the number of individual not an exhaustive treatment of the subject, this report animals per unit al-ea, for example, the number of provides a general assessment of our current coyotes pel- square mile Relat~veabundance refers undcl-standings to the ranking of populations according to their population size. For example, Ranch A has more coyotes than Ranch B. Often, relative abundance is Density estimates derived fi-om an index or an ind~catorof population size. Aet.~alColrrits. Aerial sulveys are commonly used to sample animals or animal signs (e.g., nest Reseaschers of coyotes often rely on population colonies) visible from the alr. Aerial counts can be indices because of the d~fficulty in obtaining conducted from e~ther a fixed-wing plane or adequate data to estimate population size. However, helicopter. No~~nally,a pilot and 1 or 2 observers because the relationship between the ~ndexand the are requlred to conduct aerial sulveys. A Global true population size is often unknown, the use of Positioning System (GPS) is useful in mainta~nlng indices should be restl-icted to measures of relative flight patterns (R. Cumow, Denver Wildl. Res abundance between populations of different areas Center, pers. cornrnun.) Surveys should be duing the same time period, or between populations conducted when there is adequate visibility during on the same area over time. the ewly mo~ningor late aftelnoon hours (Beasom et al. 198 1). However, there have been few serious attempts the use of traps exists over concern that substantial to use aerial counts, either from planes or injury to the trapped animals occurs (Jotham and helicopters, to assess coyote abundance. Equipment Phillips 1994). Llnhart et al. (1 98 1) and Zemlicka costs may make the technique prohibitive for many and Bruce (1 99 1 ) suggested that affixing tranquilizer situat~ons,and biases assocrated wrth aircraft speed tabs containing pl-opiopromazine HCI can and height above ground, transect width, differing significantly decrease foot injury to coyotes. The ground cover and tei~ain, differing vegetation dug diazepam also has been used to reduce Injury to conditions, time of day, and visual acuity of coyotes caught in steel foot-hold traps (Balser 1965). observers probably precludes this technique as a reliable procedure except under very specialized Neck snares equipped with safety stops to circumstances (e.g., snow cover). Use during the pl-event choking have been used to reduce injury to winter after deciduous foliage has fallen and where individual animals, and capture rates are typically there is complete snow cover on the ground may greater than those of foot-hold traps (Guthery and improve the performance of this technique (Nellis Beasom 1978), at least in areas where net-wire andKeith 1976); however, little or no evaluation of fences are common. Also, experience in the the estimates obtained have been made. placement of the safety stops is required; too tight or too loose will result in killing the coyote or escape For~vard-Look~ngInf'sar-ed (FLIR) sensing by the coyote, respectrvely. Coyote pups have been shows promlse as a new teclmrque to count caught at dens In live traps (Foreyt and Rubenser predators A plane equipped wrth a FLIR deuce 1980); however-, adult coyotes seldom enter boxtraps would fly tl-ansects as outlined above, except the (R Sramek, Texas Animal Damage Control Serv., intixed image of the an~malwould be videorecorded pers commun.). for later analys~s.Best results from th~stechnique are obtained fsom transects flown during the early Coyotes have been dar-ted by use of a Cap-Chur morning haul-s (within 2 hours of sunrise) over flat, gun hmthe gsound (Ramsden et al. 1976) and from open areas. Resolution of infrared images has the air (Baer et al 1978). Dosages ranged from 8 - improved significantly in recent years and now 2 1 mgAg body weight for ketamine hydrochloride observers can drfhentrate among some specles (S (Ramsden et al 1976, Colnely 1979) and 2 mg/kg Beasom, Caesar- Klcberg Wrldl Res. Inst., unpubl body weight for phencyclidine hydrochloride (Bailey data). 197 1). Both dlugs have a wide margin of safety, were easily administered by syringe, and took effect Mo\vever, the FLIR te~hnic1ueIS not without its typically within 5 minutes Recovery time for problems Tenain, radiated heat fsom the ground or drugged coyotes can take up to 30 minutes (Pond other environmental heat sources, and canopy cover and O'Gal-a 1994). can obscurc images (G. Henrcke, Caesar Kleberg Wrldl Res. Inst., pers conm). ~t the present time, Nellis (1 968) described a technique of chasrng FLIR technology has not progessed to a point where coyotes with motorized toboggans until they tired. it appears practical to use to assess coyote At this point the coyote could be easily abundance. ove~po\vei-ed, however, he still advised using caution to avord lnjury to all pal-ties concerned. The Catch-rrlark--r.elease: This technrque typically use of ATVs could replace motorized toboggans in involves mult~plecaptures of lnd~vidualcoyotes. areas that lack sufficient snowfall. However, this During the inrtial captwe the coyote must be technique appears to be limited to areas of open niamta~nedalive, aRer which, subsequent collections ten-a~n which offer greater maneuverabilrty to can be by lethal means. Coyotes have been live- motorized vehicles. Death or disability can result caught by foot-hold traps, snares, boxtraps, and from capture myopathy associated with over- tranquilizer darts exeltion by the coyotes, especially in warm and hot conditions. Turkowskr el al. (1 984) described improved foot-hold traps which resulted in coyote capture rates Clark (1 972) estimated coyote density using a of over 84% and excluded smallel-, non-target modlficatron of the Petersen estimate (Bailey 1951) predators. Skinner and Todd (1 990) reported that He located active coyote dens, eartagged the pups, foot-hold traps resulted In a 3-fold greater. coyote and then 11-appedcoyotes In the same area several capture rate than foot snares Public opposition to months later The proportion of eartagged coyotes among the total number of pups captured was used Coyotes preferentially use secondary roads as travel to estimate the density of coyote pups. This lanes (Andrews and Bogess 1978), thus causing an procedure appeared to yield a sellable density upwal-d bias In density estimates. However, if estimate, but it was vely label- intensive. coyotes were routinely hunted fiom vehicles at night, a leaned aversion to vehicles and roads could result, The major problem with catch-mark-release resulting in underest~mation of coyote density.
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