Coyotes are a compelling example of wildlife adaptability in North Carolina. Many residents wonder if these canids roam the state’s varied terrains. The answer is a definitive yes.
Coyote Presence and Expansion in North Carolina
Coyotes are widespread across all 100 counties in North Carolina. Their presence is a relatively recent development, as they are not native to the state. Historically, coyotes were confined to the Great Plains. Changes in the landscape, including reduced wolf populations, facilitated their eastward expansion.
Coyotes began moving into North Carolina in the 1980s, primarily through natural migration from neighboring states like Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. Their ability to adapt to various habitats, including rural agricultural fields, dense forested regions, and even suburban and urban environments, allowed them to colonize the entire state rapidly. This adaptability contributes to their continued presence and increasing sightings in developed areas.
Understanding Coyote Behavior
Coyotes in North Carolina typically resemble a medium-sized dog, standing around two feet tall at the shoulder and measuring about four feet in length. They generally weigh between 20 and 45 pounds. Their fur color can vary, usually appearing dark gray, but ranging from blonde to red and even black, with a long, bushy, black-tipped tail that usually points downward.
Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, meaning their diet is highly flexible and depends on available food sources. Their primary foods include small mammals like rodents and rabbits, birds, insects, and various fruits and berries. They also readily scavenge on carrion, such as roadkill, and will consume garbage or pet food left outdoors. Coyotes are often most active during twilight hours (crepuscular) and at night (nocturnal), though they can be seen during the day.
Their social structure often involves individuals living solitarily or in small family groups, usually consisting of a mated pair and their pups. Coyote vocalizations, such as high-pitched howls and barks, serve various purposes, including locating other family members, defending territory, or communicating hunting success. While naturally wary of humans, they may become less so if regularly fed or if they find easy food sources near human habitation.
Coexisting with Coyotes
Minimizing conflicts with coyotes, especially in residential areas, involves reducing attractants around homes. Securing trash cans with tight-fitting lids and placing them out on the morning of pickup to deter scavenging. Feed pets indoors or remove uneaten food immediately after outdoor feeding. Removing fallen fruit from yards and keeping bird feeder areas clean can reduce food availability.
Supervising pets, particularly small dogs and cats, is important as they can be viewed as potential prey. Installing a coyote-proof fence, at least six feet tall with a barrier to prevent digging underneath, offers reliable protection for unsupervised pets. Clearing brushy areas in yards can reduce cover for coyotes.
In the event of a coyote encounter, hazing techniques can help reinforce their natural wariness of humans. This involves standing tall, making loud noises, waving arms, or throwing small objects. Never run away from a coyote during an encounter, as this can trigger a chase response.
Management and Legal Status
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) manages wildlife populations, including coyotes. Coyotes are classified as an unprotected furbearer in North Carolina, meaning there is no closed season or bag limit for hunting or trapping them on private lands. Hunters may use firearms, archery equipment, electronic calls, and artificial lights for taking coyotes, with some specific restrictions in certain counties.
For landowners experiencing issues with coyotes causing damage, options for removal exist. The NCWRC website provides information on contacting Wildlife Damage Control Agents, licensed private individuals who remove animals causing property damage. While relocating coyotes is ineffective and illegal in North Carolina, trapping and hunting are recognized as tools for managing habituated coyotes or when non-lethal methods have failed. The NCWRC offers coyote management workshops to educate the public on their biology, behavior, and conflict prevention strategies.