With fawn-in-mouth, a coyote walks in front of a trail camera. Another young deer dies, and fawn recruitment drops even lower. As a deer hunter, it’s disheartening, but is the situation dire?
A recent research study dug into the effects of coyotes and the risks they pose to white-tailed deer; more specifically, how deer behave in response to coyote encounters in the Piedmont of South Carolina. Michael Muthersbaugh, Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology with Clemson University, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, tackled the topic.
RISING CONCERNS
Throughout America, but especially the Southeast, fawn recruitment rates continue to decline. Continued declines are fueling research throughout the region, and concerns are rising.
Of course, fawn recruitment rates vary from state to state, county to county, and property to property. However,…