Fauna Series No. 4

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

CHAPTER I:
INTRODUCTION

PREDATOR CONTROL

IN EXAMINING the annual reports of the superintendents of Yellowstone it has been exceedingly interesting to observe the attitudes concerning predators which have been held in years past. Almost from the beginning a feeling against predators existed. Only occasionally is a voice raised in their defense, and then it speaks apologetically and with deference. This attitude toward predatory animals is easily understood, for one kill or an apparent kill makes a striking impression on the mind. The attention is held by an individual instance rather than by the effect of predation on the entire population. Because in the early days hunting was so wanton as to imperil the existence of game animals, much conservation thought was directed toward their preservation. Efforts were made to overcome every factor which might be considered in any way inimical to the well-being of the game. Hence predator control activities have persisted throughout the country and are constantly broadening in scope so that more and more species fall within this complex. The history of predator control in Yellowstone National Park is typical of that existing in many parts of the country. I have recorded here some of the early attitudes on predation and some of the data on control of predatory mammals in Yellowstone in order that we may better understand the human element that enters into the picture, and particularly in order that we may learn why certain forms have become rare or have disappeared from Yellowstone.

At the time Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 there was considerable mining activity on the north and east at Cooke City. Miners passing between Gardiner and Cooke City hunted both carnivores and big game animals. There probably were also some market hunters in the area at this time.

Supt. P. W. Norris in his 1877 report on Yellowstone National Park described an orgy of big-game hunting which took place in the park during the late winter of 1874—75, and stated that many of the carcasses were strychnine-poisoned for wolf (timber wolf and coyote) and wolverine. There seems to have been much poisoning of flesh eaters in the park in this early period. In his 1880 annual report Norris stated that he and his party gathered fine hides of bear, wolf, and wolverine at the mouth of Soda Butte Creek. At this time moderate hunting for camp use was permitted in the park. In the report of 1880 the cougar was stated to be exceedingly numerous in 1870 and scarce in 1880, so it is likely that many of them had been killed during this period. Wolves and coyotes were reported abundant in 1870, but scarce in 1880 because of poisoning activities. Hundreds of skunks were killed around Mammoth. Beavers were reported plentiful, but trappers had removed many of them.

Supt. D. W. Wear in his annual report for 1885 wrote of the unfortunate hunting activities which in the past had prevailed, and recommended that there should be no shooting or hunting of any kind allowed within the limits of the park. Moderate hunting by travelers for camp purposes was still being permitted at this time.

By 1887 it appears that practically all forms of wildlife were receiving protection. Supt. Moses Harris in his annual report of 1887 was not greatly concerned over the depredations of predators, as can be seen from the following quotation: "I have heard considerable anxiety expressed by those who profess interest in the park lest the rule which protects equally all animals in the park should work to the detriment of the game proper by causing an undue increase in carnivora. But while it is true that there are some noxious animals that are not worthy of protection, chief among which is the skunk, or polecat, yet I am convinced that at the present time more injury would result to the game from the use of firearms or traps in the park than from the ravages which may be feared from carnivorous animals."

That there was pressure for predator control from some source is also evident from Superintendent Harris's report of 1888. He had sent a scouting party into the park to observe game. They had traveled to Yancey, Specimen Ridge, Hayden Valley, Pelican Valley, and Norris, and had reported many elk, deer, and mountain sheep. Since tracks of only two mountain lions had been noted and few other carnivorous animals were seen, Harris wrote that the fear of those who believed that the game animals might be exterminated by the carnivora might be considered as without present foundation.

In the supplemental report to the annual report of 1889 the new Superintendent, Capt. F. A. Boutelle, recommended control of predators although with no reason except that they were becoming plentiful along with other animals. He wrote: "The carnivora of the park have, in common with other animals, increased until, I believe, something should be done for their extermination. This will be made the subject of a special letter. If the proposition is favorably considered the work should be done by persons under my control." Control of predators had at this time apparently not been resumed. In the 1890 annual report Boutelle again suggests control of carnivores although he reports the game animals increasing. He may have been inaccurate concerning abundance of the game but his reasoning is interesting: "The number of elk in the park is something wonderful . . . In the neighborhood of Soda Butte herds were seen last winter estimated at from 2,000 to 3,000. The whole open country of the park seems stocked to its capacity for feeding. Other varieties of game animals are thought to be increasing rapidly." In the next paragraph he goes on to say that calf crops are too small: "As reported last year the herds of buffalo and elk do not seem to have enough calves. I am more than ever convinced that the bear and puma do a great deal of mischief and ought to be reduced in numbers. While they may be something of a curiosity to visitors to the park, I hardly think them an agreeable surprise. Very few who come here 'have lost any bear'."

In his annual report for 1893 Supt. George S. Anderson reported that beaver were being taken by poachers in all parts of the park, so other fur bearers were no doubt being poached to some extent. In his 1895 report Superintendent Anderson stated that ". . . the park can well spare whatever of other game they (bears) may consume for their sustenance " thus showing a tendency toward a broad point of view on the subject of predation. In Superintendent Anderson's annual report for 1896 coyote control is recommended because the animals were numerous—not because they were injurious. The wording in the following passage from the report indicates that there may have been considerable pressure for control: "The game continues to increase and all varieties, excepting the bison, are found in great numbers. During the spring months the elk are found in their several winter ranges in herds of thousands. Deer wander through the Post, going within a few feet of the buildings and often as near to the men, who are about their work. The usual herds of mountain sheep and antelope have wintered on Mount Evarts and show great increase of numbers. The carnivora have also increased and have proved objects of interest to tourists. In the winter coyotes hereabouts became so numerous that I at last felt obliged to order the destruction of some of them, but I confined this duty to the authorized scout. I find the young of all the ruminants especially numerous and in good condition, so that I expect a large increase for the year."

Supt. S. B. M. Young in his report for 1897 requested that coyotes be controlled. His remarks indicate that there was a faction at that time friendly to the coyote. "The coyotes are numerous and bold. It is estimated that of a herd of 500 antelope that wintered in the valley of the Gardiner and on the slopes of Mount Evarts 75 (15 percent of the herd) were killed by coyotes during the past winter, and many antelope fawns, elk calves, and broods of grouse have been destroyed by them this season. The opinion has been advanced by a few of the friends of the park that if the coyote is exterminated the gopher in time would eradicate the grass from the winter valley ranges. I do not concur in this opinion, and request authority to reduce the number so that they will not hunt in packs."

Supt. James B. Erwin in the annual report for 1898 writes as follows concerning control of coyotes: "Very numerous in certain sections. They do some damage to the young elk, but the young deer and antelope are their particular prey. Efforts are made in winter to keep their number down by poisoning carcasses of dead animals, and to a certain extent it has been successful." Concerning antelope and deer he wrote in the same report: "These (antelope) are yet numerous. The snow drives them from the mountains and high plateaus, their feeding and breeding ground in spring and summer, to the lower altitudes outside of the park, where many are killed (by poachers)." Deer were "numerous, on the increase." Poisoning of coyotes must have been quite successful, for in the diary of one of the scouts, published with the report, eight dead coyotes were found near the target range in 1 day (December 5).

In the annual report for 1899 the statement is made that the coyotes "undoubtedly kill many antelope, as well as young elk and deer. The only means of getting rid of them is by poison. This method will be tried during the winter." Deer and antelope were reported to be increasing. The statement was made that mountain lions ". . . are numerous and destroy much game. Several were killed last winter where the mountain sheep range." This is the first mention of official mountain lion control that has come to my attention although it was doubtless practiced earlier.

Supt. George W. Goode in the annual report for 1900 said that antelope were increasing even though many were wandering out of the park, where he felt they were almost sure to be shot. He appeared to be little concerned about coyote predation.

In the annual report of 1904 it is stated that the game animals were in good shape. The deer and bighorn were fed hay because of the shortage of range, and probably some antelope were fed hay but a definite statement on this was not found. In spite of the fact that the game animals appeared to be doing well and it was thought that the cougar preyed chiefly on the ubiquitous elk, the cougar were hunted with dogs, and 15 of them were killed, chiefly in the Mount Everts region. Concerning coyotes the following sentiment is expressed: "It is the general impression that coyotes are protected in the park, but this is far from true, for it is a well known fact that they are very destructive to the young game of all kinds, and we therefore use every means to get rid of them . . . They are also destroyed by the use of traps and poison, and during the past winter between 75 and 100 of these animals were killed."

The superintendent in his 1905 annual report was apparently somewhat tolerant of coyotes and cougar although control was practiced. He writes: "As the lions and coyotes are somewhat destructive to other game, such as elk, deer, and sheep, and also a pest to stockmen of the surrounding country, they are destroyed whenever the opportunity affords. The killing of these animals is, however, made a matter of business and not of sport, and only a few persons are permitted to do this killing, and they are scouts, and certain good shots among the soldiers."

The 1908 annual report shows that coyotes were still being killed, and that the cougar was again a rare animal. Following quotations are taken from this report: "It is a difficult matter to keep the coyotes down. Since my last annual report, which showed 99 coyotes killed in that year, 97 more have been killed. The growing scarcity of antelope, deer, and sheep in the States bordering on the park and the increase of these animals in the park causes the coyotes to gather here for their meat. One lynx was killed during the year. Also one red fox was shot by Scout Graham in the night time in mistake for a coyote . . . Mountain lions are scarce. One was killed during the year. It was no longer necessary to keep the pack of hounds purchased in 1893 for the extermination of mountain lions, and under authority from the department the pack was sold, after advertisement, to the highest bidder."

Official record of certain predatory mammals destroyed in Yellowstone National Park¹

¹ Taken from Skinner 1927, p. 239, and later official correspondence.
² Several.

In 1909 the attitude of the superintendent in charge had changed. He wrote in his annual report: "Quite a number of coyotes were killed last year—about 60 in all—but still they seem to increase. It is doubtful, however, if they kill much game, as the deer seem to be able to protect themselves. On several occasions last winter, I saw deer chasing coyotes instead of being chased by them."

In 1912, by means of poison, traps, and shooting, 270 coyotes were killed and it is stated that many more still existed. The game animals had apparently been in good condition. A decrease in deer was noted in the fall of 1911 but this was probably correlated with the heavy mortality during the previous winter. More than 200 bighorn had been counted in the spring, many of which had been foraging outside the park.

The 1913 annual report states that 154 coyotes were poisoned, trapped, or shot. The 1914 report states that 155 coyotes were killed. Wolves were reported to have returned, and although none was killed, efforts were made to eliminate them. The cougar was again controlled by the use of dogs and 19 of them were destroyed. The big game animals were reported to be in good condition and thriving.

Predator control continued through the winter 1934—35. The last cougar was killed in 1925. Since that time definite authentic park records of cougar have not come to my attention. The last wolves were eliminated in the twenties although a few have been reported in recent years. Control was continued until the cougar and wolf and probably the wolverine, incidentally, were eliminated.

In line with the thought prevalent in the country today, there has evolved in the national parks the wildlife policy of basing any control of animals on thorough research.

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