Remember that coyote on ebay that looked like a dog? Look...

g3trappernc, such a cool idea.... Plenty of wildlife biologists could have use for that I bet, to be able to collect more data on genetic differences in yotes or whatever across the nation.

 

Not really my idea Allistair, but one that could have some scientific signifigance.

I use a GPS on my trapline, so I can pinpoint the location of the catch, and provide pictures.

As a trapper, I would only provide this information to reputable people, those confirmed primarily by my state's trapping association.

I would not broadcast the exact GPS coordinates of my traps and catches for obvious reasons (theft, antis, tampering etc).

The feedback I have received from those folks I have worked with has been very positive.

The key to success for these guys is QUANTITY of specimens.

Wouldn't it be great if we could have a forum on here to help those students studying wildlife biology to gain the specimens they need for their course work?

 

Good point. It's a pretty good idea, the best thing I can think of is to contact various university bio departments, and ask around if there is anyone doing wild canine or coyote work. I did a look up of "coyote research university" on google and found this article. It's a great idea too.

Coyote research underway
BY JESSICA DURKIN
STAFF WRITER
02/04/2008
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TUNKHANNOCK — Courtney Veeck, a Susquehanna University senior biology major, dipped her hand into the belly of a freshly killed coyote and, after some searching, pulled out a bulging stomach pouch.

She was among four students who took turns carefully removing the stomachs out of coyotes on Sunday, and who will study those specimens in a lab for clues to the wild animal’s diet.

“Some (stomachs) are full, some are not full at all, but those are the sickly ones,” said Ms. Veeck.

The donated stomachs came courtesy of the sportsmen who participated in this weekend’s seventh annual Northeastern Pennsylvania Coyote Hunt. Hosted by the District 9 Pennsylvania Trappers Association, the three-day event wrapped up Sunday.

“Just the fact that we can put it to good use — the research. I can’t wait to get back to school and examine the insides, because who knows what you’ll find,” Ms. Veeck said.

The stomachs were removed on-site at the coyote weigh-in location at the Triton Hose Fire Company building.

For sportsmen, the hunt offered an opportunity to track and kill game between deer and trout seasons. Hunters could scout coyote in eight counties: Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Luzerne, Bradford, Sullivan, Wyoming, Wayne and Pike.

Association treasurer Ed Price said the stomach research will help people understand coyotes better.

“It’s all in the education — the more they learn, the more we can learn about the environment, especially for animals that are so elusive,” he said.

The event has gained popularity since it began with more than 200 hunters; there were up to 718 this year. Last year, organizers set an event record with 805 hunters, Mr. Price said.

Jeff Cragle, of Luzerne County, took home the grand prize of $2,000 for the heaviest coyote, weighing 43.85 pounds. This year 21 coyotes were weighed in at the hunt from Friday through Sunday.

Tunkhannock resident Stewart Boice shot a 30-pound male coyote Sunday morning, on land near the fire towers in Forkston. He said he put a coyote call out and about eight coyotes responded with howls.

“I will get it fully mounted,” Mr. Boice said as he watched the students remove his coyote’s stomach.

Mr. Price said icy weather this weekend affected hunter turnout, as most hunters use tracking dogs to hunt coyotes, but the ice hurts their paws.

He said state coyote hunting laws are more liberal than other game hunting guidelines: hunters can use bait and dogs, and may hunt on Sunday and during deer and bear season.

“The resource can stand it,” Mr. Price said.

“We have plenty, and not only that, but if the population gets out of control, there’s predation.”

 

I see what you are saying, but we just spent so much time discussing the look of different coyotes, and how western yotes are resemblin easter yotes... but even coyote crap can be important in identifying individuals.
I guess you can collect DNA from scat and use that to see how they are breeding and how genetically different they are.

http://www.taiga.net/yourYukon/col460.html -- I just looked that up. I have two night jobs, one I'm a waitress, and the other I'm a receptionist with nothing better than to look up random coyote sites on the web. arg.

But yeah, there is probably a lot of work being done on this... coyotes and wolves are popular subjects amongst budding wildlife biologists. Biologists are picky people too, but who knows... something really important could come out of a little help.

 

I think I was editing my post when you responded, I wonder the same things too. something is always going on with nature... I read this quote somewhere about how animals that dont usually interbreed (like wolves and yotes) are now... "But under some circumstances they can. It usually occurs when mates are scarce. An animal is looking for a mate, it can't find one, so it mates with something else,". Decreased numbers in wolves would mean not only more yotes, but more hybrids. I actually saw a presentation done by biologist Jon Sway, this guy who studies coyotes around Massachusetts (my state), it was some neat stuff.

 

Evolution at it's best !! OOPS Did I say that out loud? Sorry, wolfie's tired