If you've ever wondered what does coyote poop looks like, you're in luck. In this blog post, we'll take a close-up look at coyote scat and explain what it can tell us about these fascinating animals. So keep reading to learn all about coyote poop!
If you’re new to hunting coyotes, you may be spending a lot of time trying to find the best place to set up your stand. It can be hard to find the perfect spot when you don’t have tons of experience to guide you, and hours in the stand with no ‘yote in sight can be pretty demoralizing.
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The easy answer to this problem is to hunt where there’s lots of coyotes. However, these guys are sneaky and aren’t always as easy to spot as some animals you may have hunted in the past.
With deer, for instance, some patience and observation will typically show you where they like to hang out and you can set up based on where you’ve seen them in the past.
When hunting sly prey--such as the coyote--you’ll need to find a different way to track them. A fairly reliable way to do this, especially with coyotes, is by learning to identify their scat(poop).
Have you ever wondered what coyote poop looks like? If so, you're in luck! In this blog post, we'll take a close look at coyote scat to see what it can tell us about these fascinating animals. Keep reading to learn more!
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But, What Does Coyote Poop Look Like?
Read on for a simple but effective guide on how to identify most types of scat, that should give you a better handle on where your local coyotes like to spend their time.
Features To Look For When Identifying Coyote Scat
Size
Generally speaking, the size of an animal’s scat gives you some idea of how large the animal that produced it is.
Wolves, dogs, and coyotes are all related canids and have similarly-sized scat. For coyotes in particular this is going to be roughly an inch in diameter.
Depending on where you live, you may need to become an expert at telling the difference between the scat of wolves, dogs, and coyotes.
Otherwise, you could set up your stand in the middle of a wolf’s territory or end up with nothing but stray dog sightings to show for your hunting trip.
Unfortunately, that simply isn’t possible judging on size alone. The size is a great starting point, but not enough to tell you the difference between a large coyote and small wolf.
For that you’ll have to learn to take into account a few different defining aspects of scat.
Color
To the uninitiated, this may seem like a ridiculous thing to consider. After all, doesn’t just about every animal you’d hunt have brown scat? How will color help??
That objection simply means you need to practice, and become more discriminating when identifying scat. If you look closely, the color can tell you an animal’s diet which is a clue to their identity.
Still unsure? The next time you take your dog for a walk, take note of the color of their droppings. Then, when you find yourself in the forest near the scat of wild animals, note the color difference.
The scat of coyotes can vary in color based on their diet, but will typically be nearly black in color. This is partly because they are passing the blood of their prey.
Color can also give you a clue as to how fresh the scat is. If you are only finding scat the appears sun-bleached, lighter, or chalky in color, then you may have just missed the party.
Exposure to sun can lighten the color of scat fairly quickly. If you only see older scat then you may be looking in an area where coyotes used to congregate but have moved on for some reason.
Consistency
When identifying scat, taking note of the consistency can go a long way towards telling you which animal it came from. Is it soft, hard, pellets, tubular,etc?
Scat that comes in the form of pellets can be anything from a rabbit to an elk, but is certainly not left by a coyote. Disregard this type of scat, and look exclusively for the more tubular scat.
Again, all canids are going to have similar scat if you focus on just one aspect of the scat. To differentiate between wolves and coyotes, note the amount of moisture in addition to the overall texture created by shape.
Coyote scat is going to have a smoother appearance than that of a wolf. This is due to a greater moisture content, and also lends the coyote scat a slightly shinier appearance.
Related: Slingshot Hunting Rabbit – How To Hunt A Rabbit With A Slingshot
Contents
Beyond consistency, taking note of the actual contents of the scat can tell you something about what you’re looking at. This is especially useful for distinguishing stray dog from coyote.
If you look at dog dropping, they’re going to have a more uniform consistency--this is because they eat uniformly processed dog food, for the most part.
Coyotes tend to eat whatever they can find. This can be fruits and such on occasion, but is also usually primarily comprised of smaller animals that leave behind fur and bones in the scat.
This can also give you a clue as to how well a coyote is eating, which can have an effect on how easy they are to call out of hiding.
If you’re fairly certain that you’ve found coyote droppings, but they don’t seem to contain a whole lot of fur or bones, it may be a sign that the coyotes are having a hard time finding a heartier food source, making them more likely to investigate a wounded animal call when hunting.
Appearance:
Coyote scat is going to have a smoother appearance than that of a wolf. This is due to a greater moisture content, and also lends the coyote scat a slightly shinier appearance.
Shape
Coyote scat is typically tubular in shape, with a smooth appearance due to the greater moisture content.
The Smell of Coyote Poop:
Coyote poop typically doesn't smell bad. It will have a more uniform consistency, and you'll usually find fur and bones in the droppings.
What does coyote diet consist of?
Coyotes tend to eat whatever they can find. This can be fruits and such on occasion, but is also usually primarily comprised of smaller animals that leave behind fur and bones in the scat.
How can you tell if coyote poop is in your yard?
Coyote poop is typically tubular in shape, with a smooth appearance due to the greater moisture content. You'll usually find fur and bones in the droppings. If you see this type of scat in your yard, it's likely that coyotes have been around.
What should you do if you see coyote poop in your yard?
If you see coyote poop in your yard, it's important to take steps to deter the coyotes from coming back. You can do this by making loud noises, spraying them with a hose, or using a motion-activated sprinkler. You may also want to consider installing a fence around your property.
Coyote scat characteristics :
-Tubular shape
-Smooth appearance
-Greater moisture content
-Slightly shinier appearance
-Uniform consistency
-May contain fur and bones
Where to find coyote poop ?
You can find coyote poop anywhere that coyotes live. This includes wooded areas, open fields, and even near urban areas. If you're having trouble finding it, look for signs of prey such as fur or bones.
Consider Every Aspect
When first learning how to identify animal scat as a way to hunt more effectively, it is important to remember not to get stuck on just one defining feature. That’s how mistakes are made.
Think of it like a process of elimination. Color may point you in the right direction, while while size and consistency narrow the field as you consider the contents.
Together, these factors should give you all the information you need to properly identify coyote scat. Properly identifying those areas where coyotes are most active will give you a much more successful hunt.
If you aren’t sure about how this process looks in action, take a look at these videos that may help you in the identification process:
I hope you found this quick post helpful! Take a look at those videos if you need further clarification, and be sure to leave comments letting me know how the process works out for you in the end!
FAQ
How do you tell the difference between coyote and dog poop?
Coyote poop is typically tubular in shape, with a smooth appearance due to the greater moisture content. You'll usually find fur and bones in the droppings. If you see this type of scat in your yard, it's likely that coyotes have been around. Dog poop, on the other hand, will vary depending on the size and breed of dog. It may be more crumbly in texture and contain less fur and bones than coyote poop.
What should you do if you see coyote poop in your yard?
If you see coyote poop in your yard, it's important to take steps to deter the coyotes from coming back. You can do this by making loud noises, spraying them with a hose, or using a motion-activated sprinkler. You may also want to consider installing a fence around your property.
What does coyote diet consist of?
Coyotes tend to eat whatever they can find. This can be fruits and such on occasion, but is also usually primarily comprised of smaller animals that leave behind fur and bones in the scat.
What does a fox poop look like?
Fox poop is typically smaller in size than coyote or dog poop, and is more rounded in shape. It will also have a rougher texture due to the high level of fiber in the fox's diet. Fox poop may also contain feathers and other small bones.
What does old coyote poop look like?
If you see coyote poop that is dry and crumbly, it's likely that the scat is old. Coyotes typically only produce droppings once a day, so if you don't see any new scat in the area, the previous droppings are likely from earlier in the day or the night before.
How do you know if a coyote is around?
If you see coyote poop in your yard, it's likely that the coyotes have been around. You can also look for other signs of their presence, such as tracks or scat. If you hear howling or yipping at night, that is also a good indication that coyotes are in the area.
What should you do if you see a coyote?
If you see a coyote, it's important to stay calm and not make any sudden movements. Slowly back away from the animal and make sure not to turn your back on it. If possible, make yourself appear larger by waving your arms or opening up a jacket. You can also try to scare the coyote off by making loud noises or throwing objects in its direction. If all else fails, you can try to fight back with pepper spray or a stick. Remember, however, that coyotes are wild animals and can be dangerous, so use caution and always err on the side of safety.