coyote subspecies

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NV Walt

New member
I've been trying to do a search for the 16 subspecies of coyote we have in North America. All I have found so far is the names and rough area ie. C.l.latrans-Plains, C.l.lestes-mountain etc. but with no real geographic range map giving you an idea where they overlap or meet.If anyone out there can help point me in the right direction with information on the subject it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, NVWalt
 
Hi Walt
The most comprehensive map outlining the nineteen subspecies as classified by H.H.T.Jackson can be found in his book "The Clever Coyote". Of those nineteen, only nine are found in North America, the rest are found in Mexico and Central America. That list and map were published in 1951 and show no coyote presence east of the Mississippi. At that time there were rumors of a wolf-like animal that was referred to as the "New England canid" which has since been classified as c.l.var., the eastern coyote. I understand that because of the rapid spread and redistribution of the coyote within it's present range, and the resultant intergradation among the sub-species, a case can be made for only eight sub-species. I also understand that taxonimists are considering the classification of two other eastern subs. Merriam was probably closer to the reality of the matter when he arranged coyote type specimens into three "groups" of ranked "forms" which totaled eleven.
 
Rich,
Thank you for the information. I don't know if I can buy a copy of that book but certainly will try to.Thank you again and good hunting to you ...NVWalt
 
This is a study under way in Ma. involving a Wolf/Coyote hybrid. May be old news to some.....but its interesting reading.

www.masslive.com

I believe I've shot a few hybrids, as they are much heavier and thicker boned than the regular Eastern coyote I usually plug.
 
Sleddogg,
Very interesting reading. I can see real problems happening for you eastern boys, and gals, hunting coyotes if they class it as a wolf. You know what an outrage it will become of you are now being determained to be "KILLING" all them idiot bunny huggers wolves...NVWalt
 
I'll post 3 pics of coyotes that are out of the ordinary. They range from 45 to 53 pounds, and have been shot in remote areas. When responding to calls they have none of the sneakiness of my typical call-in. They lope in very boldly, and the largest one howled on the way in. I think they are hybrids. Most fellas say just big coyotes, but I'm the guy that shot 'em. I have killed coyotes for 20 years in New England, and these "coyotes" are different.

Plus they just showed themselves in the last 6 to 8 years. Before that, just regular 35 to 40 lb. dogs. These pics aren't great, but maybe someone can see any wolf in these. Plus they are always shot away from civilization. I never call these big coyotes locally.

Any thoughts from the experts will be welcome, as these large dogs fasinate me, but leave me with more questions than answers. For scale I'm 6', 205 pounds.

Obviously I'm reluctant to ask the state biologist for an opinion. Canine experts, do you see just big coyotes or possible hybridation, and why?

One more thing, they were all males, and all alone. All shot in January, and I had called these remote areas earlier in the year.

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Sleddog,

Not ripping ya, but those dogs appear larger than the weights you stated. Could be the camera angle. But regardless...very nice. Especially the top-dog. Cool pics. By the way, what kind of gun & ammo, did you shoot them with?
 
kirby - 2 shot with a .243 and 85 grain Sierra BTHP, and one with a .223 Remington using 55 grain Sierra BTSP Gameking.

But I have looked at pics of wolves online, but have never seen one in real life. I was hoping the fellas that know such things can even make an educated guess.
 
Sleddog,
The second dog sure looks like some kind of hybridization has taken place. Notice how deep the chest is and it appears the paws are very large. We never stick our necks out without all the facts but I would say you may very well be on the right track. Wolves have a very distinct gait. Almost like loping in a horse. Did you notice anything along these lines as they were coming in.

Unfortunately, the only sure way to tell is to take a tissue sample and do an electrophoresis analysis.
 
sleddogg, interesting puzzle isn't it? A wolf's sagittal crest is heavier than a coyotes and the muzzle is broader. The profile of your animals looks like coyote as does the coloration including the black tail tip. Can't see the top of the tail but if there is a black target patch over the supracaudal gland then it is another nod toward the coyote. Of course if there is any red wolf blood in Ma. all bets are off. Interesting puzzle, huh?
 
mikegranger - I descibe the average coyote I'm used to seeing as almost a bouncing trot. They stop and start alot coming to call, and check things out well. They play the wind when they get close. I get to observe them well, as I primarily hunt from a treestand.

I descibe these 3 as a lope for sure, and the approach is straight in, (no concern for wind)and 2 out of 3 came to lone howls. The big second one had a deep howl, deepest I ever heard as he came in. He howled as he arrived, and no joke, even though I was treestand hunting, the hair on my neck stood up. It was a little before dark, and kind of freaked me out. :eek:

They are actually easier to call than little 'yotes, and seem to be much bolder. Maybe because they are so dominant. But they are different.

As stated above, these were shot very remote, in deep forests, with no agriculture around at all. Not my normal coyote spots, but I put up the treestands after seeing some monster "coyote" prints while bowhunting some years back.

Thanks, Sleddogg
 
Sleddog there have been "coyotes" shot around my place that look exactly like that. They were all shot by deer hunters though. But they were huge and didn't look like regular coyotes, the ones I saw were all red and not normal coyote colors. My brother shot one on the mtn. behind my house that he had mounted and it wouldn't fit on a coyote form the taxidermist had to use a wolf form because it was so big. Can't remember the weight but it was over 50#. You seem like you have a tremendous amount of knowledge about these eastern critters, sure would like to pick your brain. I finally killed my first but what a chore. They sure have me in the palm of their paw or something like that. I posted my pic under calling in the east.
 
Great links Sled&Marlin.Of particular interest to me was the Wilson studies of New Brunswick coyotes.A hi-school buddy of mine who has been trapping for 25+yrs snared the "biggest sonofawhore of a coyote"(in his own words)that he has ever seen last year.He guesstimated it at 100lbs.,and Bob ain't a BS'er,he doesn't have to bS as he is a very successful hunter and trapper.I don't know if he actually weighed it,but several other friends of mine seen it and were in awe.Over the years he and his father have caught several"coyotes" in the 60-75lb range,that when sent away to NAFA auctions were graded as wolves.

Sleddog,I can relate to "the hair standing up on my neck".2 yrs ago while deer hunting i heard a howl(very close by)that was unlike any coyote I've ever heard,deeeep,loong,drawn out and loud.Hair stood up on my neck even toting a 30-06.Another credible hunting buddy seen what he beleived were 3 wolves "loping" across a clearcut in the same area the year before while snowmobiling.
I'm gonna contact Bob and see if he has pics or an official weight to post.
 
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