Coyote Population Booms in Florida

by
posted on July 26, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
main-coyote.jpg (1)

Coyotes have inundated South Florida to such a level that Broward County Parks, along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, held an online coyote seminar this spring on dealing with coyotes.

The FWC said there’s no population estimate for coyotes in Florida, but they’ve been spotted in all 67 counties, and even on beaches.

Angeline Barker, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says coyotes arrived by walking across bridges and roads, or by swimming.

“It turns out, coyotes are fairly strong swimmers,” Barker said.

Coyotes can thrive in urban, suburban and rural areas because they’re adaptable, according to the FWC. They can eat almost everything humans eat, including fruits, nuts and seeds, and they can eat pet food, garbage, rodents, domestic cats and small dogs.

The FWC suggests keeping pets on a non-retractable leash no longer than 6 feet when taking a walk, and having a fenced yard.

“I don’t want to sugarcoat it for you,” Barker said, “Coyotes and other wildlife, other predators will absolutely predate pets if they are free-ranging.”

“We understand coyote sightings have been reported more frequently in the urban portions of Broward County,” Linda Briggs Thompson, environmental program manager for Broward County Parks and Recreation Division, said in an email. “Because there are misconceptions about coyotes, the reactions from residents are often based on fear rather than on an understanding of coyote behavior and motivations.”

Coyotes are so frightened of people that there are very few reports of bites, according to the FWC.

The first documented coyote in Broward County was in 1990, according to Briggs Thompson.

An interactive map from the FWC tracks calls the agency receives from the public regarding coyote sightings. The green dots on the map are sightings reported within the last 24 months, and the blue dots are calls received more than 24 months ago.

The average Florida coyote weighs 28 pounds, according to the FWC. Coyotes breed every year and females produce between two and 12 pups per litter, which are raised in a den. Coyotes are predatory and help control the populations of foxes, opossums and raccoons.

The FWC, along with the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences contend it’s tough to relocate coyotes.

“Removing coyotes from one area can result in other coyotes moving in from surrounding areas and producing more pups per litter,” according to the FWC website.

Latest

SPD Ptototype
SPD Ptototype

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.