This might intrest some. Not mine just a copy.
Tim
Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control
Workshop Proceedings
University of Nebraska - Lincoln Year 1987
Decoying Coyotes with Dogs
Gary J. Rowley DeLyle Rowley†
USDA, APHIS, ADC; Craig, Colorado,
†USDA, APHIS, ADC; Montrose, Colorado,
This paper is posted at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/gpwdcwp/93
Decoying Coyotes with Dogs1
Gary J. Rowley2 and DeLyle Rowley3'4'
Abstract.--Decoy dogs, used in conjunction
with a predator call or coyote howl, are an
effective technique to reduce coyote depredation
on domestic sheep ranges during the spring and
summer when coyotes are highly territorial and
aggressively protect their young and den area.
Trained decoy dogs, when chased by coyotes,
return to their owner bringing the coyotes into
shooting range. The type of dogs used
successfully for this work is discussed.
INTRODUCTION
Professionals in Animal Damage
Control (ADC) have used dogs (Canis
familiaris) as a technique in
controlling predation by coyotes (Canis
latrans) for many years. Denning dogs
are used in locating coyote dens (Wade
1978) and aid in destroying the pups;
greyhounds hunt by sight, pursue,
capture, and kill the coyote (Wade
1973), and hounds are used similar to
greyhounds, but trail by scent (Duffey
1964, Hawthorne 1980). The use of decoy
dogs in ADC operations started in the
mid to late 1960's. Decoy dogs lure
coyotes by provoking the defensive and
den guarding behavior of coyotes by
intruding in their territory and natal
area.
Food and energy demands of adult
coyotes steadily increase from estrus to
weaning. Subsequently predation to
livestock, particularly sheep and goats.
Paper presented at the Eighth Great
Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop,
Howard Johnson's, Rapid City, S.D.
April 28-30, 1987
Gary J. Rowley, District Supervisor,
USDA - APHIS - ADC, Craig,
Colorado.
DeLyle Rowley, District Supervisor,
USDA - APHIS - ADC, Montrose,
Colorado.
4
Gary J. Rowley and DeLyle Rowley are
credited as forerunners instrumental in
development, employment, and use of
decoy dogs in operational ADC programs.
also increases. Established territories
and den sites are highly defended and
protected (Kleiman and Brady 1978).
Intruding canid species, particularly
domestic dogs, are agressively attacked
by coyotes in an effort to provide
protection to their young. This display
of defensive behavior is effectively used
as a strategy to control depredating
coyotes.
The use of decoy dogs in reducing
coyote predation has many applications
and can be successfully used in any
habitat and terrain. It is one of the
most effective and efficient means of
selective coyote damage control during
the late spring and summer grazing
seasons.
APPLICATION
Adult coyotes normally hunt at night
and early morning and return mid-morning
to the den to feed their offspring (Young
and Jackson 1951). Vocalization of adult
coyotes is easily instigated at this
time. Imitating a coyote howl by a
person's voice or using a predator call
encourages a response from the coyote(s).
This response can be used for
triangulation in estimating the coyote(s)
location.
Approach the den site cautiously and
select a "stand" location. It is very
important to select a place where the
wind is blowing directly from the den to
the stand. This favorable wind direction
provides an olfactory advantage to the
decoy dogs in detecting the scent of the
coyote(s) and a disadvantage to the
179
coyote(s) in detecting the shooter
sitting on the stand. The use of 1 decoy
dog has been successful, but 2 provide
the best results. However, the use of 3
or more dogs appears to reduce success.
It is speculated that the presence of 3
or more dogs may increase intimidation
and decrease aggression in the
coyote(s).
Once the stand is selected and the
shooter is in position, reproduce a
coyote howl. Usually, the coyote(s)
respond with a return howl and come to
investigate the sound. Immediately
after hearing the coyote(s) howl, the
decoy dogs respond and sprint toward the
approaching coyote(s). After visually
locating the coyote(s), the decoy dogs
will begin to chase it. Coyote(s) will
normally respond by barking as a warning
to the encroaching decoy dogs. This
barking also acts as a stimulus and
encourages other coyotes near the area
to investigate the disturbance. In some
cases, the coyote(s) will become
frightened when confronting the decoy
dogs and retreat. However, frequently
the retreating coyote(s) stops, holds
its ground, reverses the dominance, and
begins to chase the dogs. It is common
tor the decoy dogs and coyote(s) to
exchange dominance during the chase.
During this time, the shooter should be
patient, restrict movement, and remain
out of sight. With increased
experience, decoy dogs learn not to
chase coyote(s) for long distances
before returning.
When the decoy dogs begin to return
to the stand the coyote(s) will pursue,
and their aggression and attacks
intensify. Fights occasionally occur if
the coyote(s) captures the dog. In very
aggressive attacks, coyote(s) appear to
be less cautious as full attention is
given to the decoy dogs. This provides
the shooter an advantage. When using
decoy dogs trom the start of denning
season to late summer when the pups
disperse, it is not unusual for more
than 2 adult coyotes to appear and join
in the chase. The authors have
witnessed up to 6 adult coyotes
attacking the decoy dogs in one
location.
Most of the time when the decoy
dogs return to the stand the coyote(s)
will be following. Very often the decoy
dogs will successfully lure the
coyote(s) within 10 yards of the stand.
The use of a shotgun accompanied with a
rifle is recommended. Often the coyotes
concentration on the decoy dog is so
great that they pay no attention to the
shooting. If escape occurs, encourage
the decoy dogs to pursue and in
conjunction reproduce a coyote howl.
Occasionally the fleeing coyote(s) will
stop, show aggression and resume chasing
the decoy dogs and provide the shooter
with another attempt.
Infrequently, the coyote(s) refuse
to evoke a chase and will only respond to
the decoy dogs for a short distance from
the den site. A possible explanation for
this behavior is that the coyote(s) are
at their extreme distance from the den
site. If this is suspected, select a
closer stand, approach cautiously and
prevent the coyote(s) from visually
detecting the shooter.
BREEDS OF DOGS
No one breed of dog is specifically
used in developing decoy dogs. It is the
dog's individual characteristics,
qualities and training which dictates the
success. Usually medium sized dogs (25-
50 pounds) with medium build are best
suited. Color or physical appearance of
dogs has little or no relative effect on
coyotes. Short-haired dogs are preferred
in summer due to the heat factor.
The more common breeds of dogs the
authors have successfully used are:
McNabb shepherds. Border collies,
Australian shepherds, Norwegian
elkhounds, and wirehaired terriers. A
few of the hound breeds and large
terriers have developed into excellent
decoy dogs, but the majority tend to be
too aggressive.
TRAINING
Preferred attributes and traits
required ot a dog for consideration as a
prospective decoy dog are few. Proper
training and experience are imperative in
developing a successful dog. Basic
characteristics needed in selecting a
candidate dog are: (a) one that likes to
hunt, (b) one that will free range within
400 to 500 yards, and (c) one that
possesses a small amount of
aggressiveness. Start the training by
familiarizing the dog with a trapped or
snared coyote to encourage assertiveness
and build confidence. Have the dog
accompany the trainer when calling and
denning and allow the dog to free range.
Accustom the dog with rifle and shotgun
fire but avoid muzzleblast by restricting
the shooting when the dog is very close
180
or directly in front. Once a dog
becomes "gun shy", it is useless.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful to all
USDA - APHIS - ADC personnel in Utah,
Colorado, and California who, through
the years, have provided improvement and
training suggestions. A special thanks
to H. Alan Foster, State Director, USDA
- APHIS - ADC, Grand Junction, Colorado,
and George E. Graves, Wildlife
Biologist, USDA - APHIS - ADC,
Lakewood, Colorado, for their
assistance in writing this manuscript
and for providing helpful editorial
comments. We also wish to thank
Barbara Dillard and Joyce Brown for
typing the draft and final manuscript.
LITERATURE CITED
Duffey, D.M. 1964. Coyote hounds in
Texas. Outdoor Life.
134: 118-122.
Hawthorne, D.W. 1980. Wildlife damage
and control techniques. Pages 411-
439 in. S.D. Schemnitz, ed. Wildlife
management techniques manual. The
Wildlife Society. Washington, D.C.
Kleiman, D.G., and CA. Brady. 1978.
Coyote behavior in the context of
recent canid research: problems and
perspectives. Pages 163-188 in M.
Bekoff, ed. Coyotes biology,
behavior, and management. Academic
Press. New York, N.Y.
Wade, D.A. 1973. Control of damage by
coyotes and some other carnivores.
Colo. State Univ. Coop. Ext. Serv.
Bull. 482a, Fort Collins. 16pp.
. 1978. Coyote damage: a survey of
its nature and scope, control
measures and their application.
Pages 347-368 in M. Bekoff, ed.
Coyotes biology, behavior, and
management. Academic Press. New
York, N.Y.
Young, S.P., and H.H.T. Jackson. 1951.
The clever coyote. Wildl.
Manage. Institute. Washington, D.C.
411pp.
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