Fauna Series No. 4

Fauna of the National Parks — No. 4 Ecology of the Coyote in the Yellowstone

CHAPTER I:
INTRODUCTION

COMPARISON OF THE PRIMITIVE AND PRESENT WILDLIFE STATUS

IT IS DIFFICULT to reconstruct the primitive wildlife picture in Yellowstone even though a considerable number of early reports on wildlife have come down to us. There has not been opportunity to examine all the literature, but I feel that enough has been covered to make a general comparison of the primitive and present status of some species.

Elk.—It appears that formerly elk were accustomed to summer in Yellowstone Park in as large numbers as today or even larger; the early writings show that many elk wintered in Yellowstone. However, it is likely that more elk moved out of the park than at present, especially during severe winters, thus resulting in a better adjustment between numbers of animals and the condition of the winter range. Yellowstone furnished a good winter range for a number of elk and the ranges outside the park were sometimes grazed bare by buffalo, a circumstance which may have affected elk distribution in this region during early times.

Mule deer.—It is probable that mule deer were formerly more abundant in the park in summer than today. I have seen no reliable information on early winter distribution in the park but since deer are now wintering on typical mule deer broken foothill range where winter conditions are favorable it seems probable that the early winter distribution in the park was much as at present.

Whitetail deer.—This species probably summered in the park in fair numbers in early days, coming into the park from the winter ranges along the Yellowstone River to the north, from Jackson Hole to the south, and perhaps from other surrounding valleys. As late as 1914 a hundred of these deer wintered along a short stretch of the Gardiner River near the north boundary. In the park the whitetail deer winter range was of small extent and was heavily browsed; the winter range of willow bottoms outside the park was usurped by ranchers. The vanishing of a suitable winter habitat for this brush-loving, secretive species was probably the basic cause for its disappearance. Vernon Bailey (1930, p. 69) writes as follows about the disappearance of the whitetail: "To a limited degree they were migratory in habits. Usually a part of those in the park drifted down the river valley in winter below the boundary where they had little protection and were an easy prey to pot hunters. A protected area below the park line could have saved them but this was not provided." In early times the whitetail was common in Jackson Hole, but there, too, they have largely disappeared. The few now remaining are reported from the Snake River Bottoms.

Buffalo.—In the early days buffalo were apparently found the year round in Yellowstone. Most of those living in the park when it was established were killed off by poachers. The propagation of a so-called "tame" herd on the Lamar River, together with the survival of a few of the original population in the Pelican Creek area, has resulted in a population of about 850 animals. The present distribution, because of transplants in Hayden Valley and the Old Faithful areas, is probably similar to the early distribution.

Antelope.—At one time antelope summered in Hayden Valley and the upper reaches of the Gardiner River as well as in the present summer range between Gardiner and Cache Creek. It appears that the summer antelope population is smaller now than formerly. Since the antelope winter range in the park is suitable, it is likely that a few of these animal always have wintered within the present boundaries. Formerly most of the antelope probably wintered in the Yellowstone Valley below Gardiner.

Bighorn.—.In early days the bighorn summered in the park more widely and in greater numbers than at present and more of them spent the winter within its boundaries. Bighorns occurred in places where they are now absent.

Moose.—The abundance and distribution of moose have always varied. Their present status is probably similar to that of primitive times.

Cougar.—Formerly common in Yellowstone, cougars are now very rarely reported. They were hunted until they became scarce in the nineties. In 1914, 19 were killed by the use of dogs.

Wolf.—Although once present in good numbers, it is probable that none now remains. In 1912 wolves were reported, but none taken. In the 1914 annual report grey wolves were said to exist in the park, and at later dates some were destroyed. Poisoning was the principal method used to kill hem.

Other mammals.—The coyote has probably always been abundant in the park. Formerly the red fox was very common in the area; now it is relatively rare. Poisoning and trapping operations were undoubtedly the factors in its decimation. Wolverines and bobcats, once common, are now apparently gone; and lynx, which were formerly equally common, are extremely scarce at present.

Probably the present grizzly bear population does not differ widely from the primitive numbers. Black bears are apparently more plentiful now, although the data are rather fragmentary. George Bird Grinnell in 1875 found black bears scarce.

In all likelihood badgers today occupy much the same status as formerly. Fishers, once present, are now absent.

Birds.—Sage hens, at one time present in limited numbers, are now gone. They were probably killed off by hunters. Little brown cranes are not as abundant today as in primitive times, undoubtedly due to a general country-wide reduction in their numbers. Willett and greater yellow-legs, which George Bird Grinnell reported abundant in 1875, are now scarce or absent. This may also be due to a country-wide reduction in their numbers.

Conclusion.—The general pattern of wildlife today is similar to that existing when Yellowstone was first explored. There has been a reduction in some of the ungulates, but the big difference lies in the scarcity or absence of many of the predators. The relationships of the Coyote to the rest of the fauna is today similar to what it was formerly.

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Last Modified: Thurs, Dec 20 2001 10:00:00 pm PDT
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