The difficulty in determining whether a coyote killed a deer or merely scavenged the carcass is a common challenge for wildlife observers. Coyotes are opportunistic predators that rarely take down a healthy, mature deer, preferring to target vulnerable animals such as fawns or those weakened by injury, disease, or deep snow. Distinguishing a true coyote kill from an animal that died from other causes requires a forensic examination of the surrounding environment and the carcass itself. The presence of a coyote near a dead deer only confirms their opportunistic nature, not their role as the primary cause of death.
Examining the Struggle and Kill Site
The initial examination of the area around the carcass reveals the sequence of events that led to the deer’s death. A genuine predation site shows signs of a struggle, including disturbed ground, scraped-up soil, and broken or flattened vegetation in a concentrated area. This evidence indicates the deer was alive and resisting at the moment of attack, differentiating it from an animal that simply collapsed and died.
Blood evidence at the site is often minimal, as coyotes typically pursue a deer until it is exhausted or wounded before delivering a final bite. This differs from larger predators that subdue prey quickly. The kill often occurs along natural barriers, like fences or thick cover, where the predator may have cornered the deer. Coyotes generally do not drag large kills long distances, meaning the struggle site and the consumption site are usually close together.
Recognizing Coyote Feeding Patterns on the Carcass
The most definitive evidence of a coyote kill is found by examining the deer’s body for specific bite marks and feeding patterns. Coyotes typically begin feeding on the hindquarters, specifically the hams and flanks, or by opening the abdominal cavity to quickly access the viscera. Internal organs, such as the liver, heart, and lungs, are often eaten first because they are nutrient-dense and easy to access once the body cavity is breached.
To confirm the deer was attacked while alive, the hide must be peeled back to check for subcutaneous hemorrhage, or deep bruising, around any puncture wounds. If the deer was bitten after death, there will be no bruising because the heart was not beating to pump blood into the surrounding tissue. Coyote bite marks are small, distinct punctures, usually about one-quarter inch in diameter, reflecting their smaller canine teeth.
Consumption by coyotes is generally messy, often leaving the intestines pulled out and scattered around the site, and the larger bones and the stomach (rumen) unconsumed. This contrasts with a scavenging scenario where an animal may start feeding at an existing wound or at soft points like the anus or eyes. The presence of smaller, bite-sized pieces of meat and skin torn away from the carcass further supports coyote involvement.
Distinguishing Coyote Tracks and Scat
Identifying the tracks and scat left near the carcass provides secondary confirmation of the predator’s presence. A coyote’s track is characteristically oval and more elongated than the rounder, splayed print of a domestic dog, measuring roughly 2.5 inches long by 2 inches wide. Their four toe pads and the heel pad are more compact, and their claws are typically visible in the print.
When traveling, coyotes often use an energy-efficient pace called a “direct register” trot, where the hind foot steps almost precisely into the print left by the front foot. This gait creates a straight, narrow, and purposeful line of tracks. Domestic dogs, in contrast, tend to leave a more erratic, wandering trail pattern.
Coyote scat is distinctively rope-like and tubular, often with tapered ends, and can be up to an inch in diameter. Since their diet includes high amounts of hair, bone fragments, and sometimes hooves, the scat often has a fibrous, spongy texture. Coyotes frequently use scat for communication, placing it prominently in the middle of trails or on small mounds to mark their territory.
Eliminating Other Potential Causes of Deer Death
A thorough assessment requires ruling out non-coyote causes by comparing the signs against other likely scenarios. Vehicle collisions are indicated by massive trauma, such as broken limbs or internal hemorrhaging, usually concentrated on the side of the deer facing the road. If bite marks are present, they will overlay the pre-existing collision trauma, indicating scavenging.
To distinguish from larger predators, look for different feeding patterns and bite characteristics. Cougars and wolves leave much larger, deeper canine punctures and are capable of crushing larger bones. Cougars typically consume the chest cavity organs first and often cover, or cache, the uneaten portion of the carcass with debris. Domestic dogs may feed haphazardly and often abandon the carcass after a messy, incomplete attack. The absence of struggle signs, coupled with the deer being found near a bedding area or water source, can suggest death from disease or starvation, especially if the bone marrow shows evidence of fat depletion.