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Stereo Sound Clip: Kickapoo Coyotes by Rob Danielson.
An adult pair with 2 or 3 pups recorded at the end of summer near La Farge, Wisconsin in the Kickapoo River Valley. Pups are taught to hunt by accompanying their parents on hunting forays. By the end of the summer, the pups usually move out of the parents’ territories, but sometimes they stay with their parents to form a hunting pack. At the beginning one can hear the very distant calls that the adult (and, another closer pack) eventually respond to. Litter size is typically 5-6 pups.
Great listening Rob. We have a few of those out this way who sing for us now and then. One morning, very early as I was leaving for the airport there was one on our front lawn. We don’t see hear them too often so when we do its a treat. You must have had lots of fun and excitement setting up and recording their calls. Sorry we could not make it there for a visit this week but looking forward to next June to see you guys. Charlie
Hi Charlie– Everything I’ve read so far suggests coyotes are very wary of humans and yet, as you report, they make loud announcements close to human homes. The “This is my territory” message” may indeed be meant partially for us.
There have been several nights this Fall when 1 or 2 coyotes have hunted the area around the mics. Its not the stealthy process I imagined. They tramp noisily through the thick grass and brush attempting to scare the critters into running. If they pick-up a scent, they’ll sniff around– but not that long. Covering ground so quickly, chances for complications with other predators are good. Night is prime theater time in the woods. It is, I guess, the original, “auditorium.” Rob D.