2014 NY State biologist Jacqueline Frair's update on Coyote dietary habits in the Central Adirondacks and southern NY State reveals that as Beavers have increased in population, the "generalist Coyote" has made them their "first choice" as a dietary staple...........In mid 20th century, snowshoe hare had been the go-to dinner for Coyotes but in recent decades, maturing forests likely has reduced the desired brush habitat that hares prefer, thus reducing their footprint in NY State forests............It is only when both Beaver and Hares are at low ebb populations that Coyotes in the Empire State seek out adult deer as first entree.........The Coyote take of fawns in the first weeks of their life in the Spring has remained constant since the Coyote arrived in NY in the 1920's and does not appear to significantly dampen overall deer populations.............As Frair suggests: "By concentrating on the abundant beaver, coyotes may ultimately lower their overall use of deer,,,,or, it may elevate the population of coyotes and have a spillover effect on deer"..........."Only time will tell"..............Frair also found that in the southern tier of NY, Coyotes take of deer was predominantly scavenged,,,,,,,,,,,,The Coyote diet in this part of the state was primarily an admix of cottontail rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels, other small mammals and livestock

CLICK ON LINK TO READ FULL REPORT

http://frair.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/7/8/31787235/coyote_progress_report_2014.pdf

Progress Report Research Title: Population Status and Foraging Ecology of Eastern Coyotes in New York State



Coyote hunting Beaver

Coyote on a Beaver Dam