Richie,
The video you posted has some very interesting coyote behavior in it. I saw it when you initially posted it a few weeks ago. There was such a varied display of behavior covering a number of possible origins I contacted Rich Higgins, labeled by some as the 'coyote professor' to help me understand the meaning behind their vocalizations and actions. Rich Higgins has given seminars from one coast to the other and has been used in consultation by a number of research studies pertaining to coyote vocalizations and coyote behavior. On another board he gave his opinion of what he witnessed in your video. He did not concur with the intimidation theory. I will quote his eval on what he saw -
Quote:A mature breeding pair approached the prey distress. When they entered the field the motion of the decoy drew their attention to the coyote shape of the LoneHowler. They both erupted into yip-howls and one of the primary functions of this vocalization is passive territorial defense because it announces the presence of a resident pack and reduces the number of intruders. The yip-howls also alerted any group members within hearing of the incident and they were possibly on the way. If the camera crew had remained silent they may have had the whole pack in front of them.
The clip was videoed in February. The majority of coyotes breed in February, some as much as a month earlier, some as much as a month later.
Both coyotes display dominance in this clip with elevated tails, piloerection, and mounting (standing over). The female's rejection of the male's attempt to mount looks like a breeding display and her halfhearted attempt to mount him looked like a dominance display.
Very cool video.
You guys catch some real interesting behavior and, in my opinion, it held more worth for their research appeal rather than the hunting factor (although I too enjoy a good hunting video as much as the next guy!). Camera work with the decoy was superb and not many hunters are able to get coyotes to interact with the decoy as you guys did. As I said the Lone Howler used in conjunction with a moving decoy simulating a meal recently acquired really stirs them up.
Excellent video.