Can Coyotes Hunt and Take Down Deer or Moose?

Coyotes, known for their adaptability and opportunism, are capable hunters. One often wonders whether these resilient creatures can hunt and take down deer or even larger mammals like moose. While coyotes may not typically target full-sized healthy adult deer or moose, there are instances where they have been observed hunting and capturing these larger animals, particularly under specific circumstances.

Are Coyotes Capable of Hunting Deer or Moose?

Indeed, coyotes can hunt and kill deer, and even moose, provided that the hunting is done in pairs or packs. However, this behavior is more common when the deer or moose are in weaker physical states, such as young fawns or injured adults. These smaller and more vulnerable prey are often the target of coyote hunting parties. However, healthy adults can also be taken down if the coyotes are highly motivated and circumstances are favorable.

Hunting Strategies of Coyotes

Coyotes are strategic hunters that rely on teamwork, prolonged efforts, and effective chasing techniques to capture their prey. They often work in pairs or packs to intercept and corner their unsuspecting prey, utilizing their cooperative nature to increase the success of their hunting. Wild videos and observations have shown that two or more coyotes can indeed take down a full-sized buck deer under the right conditions, which can be witnessed through game camera footage.

Particular Cases of Coyotes Hunting Deer and Moose

In some cases, particularly in North America, coyotes have been observed hunting and taking down larger mammals such as deer and moose. The key factor in these instances is the size and state of the prey. For example, deer, especially fawns, are often the primary target. Healthy adult deer or moose are generally too large and strong for a typical coyote to challenge. However, if a deer is injured, sick, or bogged down in deep snow, a pack of coyotes may successfully take it down.

Common Diet of Coyotes

A recent review of the diet of coyotes revealed that deer, elk, and moose are the most common food items. Besides these larger mammals, coyotes also consume smaller animals like rodents, rabbits, and hares. In some regions, such as the northeastern United States, where coyotes may be crossbred with wolves, they have been observed to be larger and may thus hunt larger prey more frequently. However, rabbits, small birds, rodents, and sometimes small cats or dogs are often the primary targets of coyotes.

Conclusion

Coyotes are opportunistic hunters that often target smaller and weaker prey. While they typically avoid challenging larger, healthy animals, there are instances where they can take down deer, even full-sized bucks, and moose, particularly if the latter are injured or weakened. Understanding their hunting strategies and behavior helps in explaining why these observations occur and highlights the adaptability of coyotes as predators.