T

he Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has partnered with the University of Georgia (UGA) Deer Lab in what UGA researchers describe as the most comprehensive study of coyote behavior in the southeastern U.S.  Other study partners include Princeton University and the natural resources departments of Georgia and South Carolina.

In January and February of this year, professional wildlife trappers began trapping and placing GPS collars on coyotes in Barbour, Bullock, Macon and Russell counties in Alabama. Once fitted with collars, the coyotes were released back into the wild to track the animals’ movements every four hours for the next two years. Coyotes will also be collared in Georgia and South Carolina. Approximately 180 coyotes will be tracked in the three-state research area.

A study objective is to understand the predation threat coyotes pose to other wildlife including white-tailed fawns. Researchers will study DNA samples from the collared coyotes to determine their colonization routes.

ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division anticipates study results will help shape future wildlife management practices in Alabama.

In the event of harvesting a GPS-collared coyote, hunters and landowners should return the collar to UGA. A return address is printed on the collar. 

To learn more about ADCNR, visit OutdoorAlabama.com.