c h says-
150 coyotes out of 4k hunters goes to show PA. is not over run with them.
Weather has a lot to do with kills during any contest. This year, Lower kills in the MC contest showed that.
Coyote numbers and density vary in different parts of Pa.
Seems like ncPa. and wPa. Have a lot of hound hunters, trappers (and out of town folks visiting cabins) that take a lot of Coyote. From what I heard, some groups of hound hunters take 100+ Coyote a season.
When thesehere contest roll around, Coyote population is at the lowest of year and a Coyote still on it's feet has his PHD and Doctorate in survival.
By that, the local Coyotes know what a dirthole is, heard all the sounds for e-callers, know your hounds first name and pedigree and even can distinguish the sound of your pickup truck from your partners pickup truck.
Predator and Prey density do have cycles. If you live long enough and stay with it, one will see highs and lows in Coyote/Fox/Coon populations.
c h,
In my area, Coyote population has been stable. I see that with my traps and calling and ADC work, plus scouting 12 months a year.
You may live in mountain area where Deer is main food, but here in the central Susquehanna Valley, we have mountains, farm land, CRP land, Game Lands, private land...a wide variety of food source.
Am in contact with many Canine men throughout the state.
Seems right now, From Shippensburg (up Rt. 81) to near Mahanoy City (along Rt. 81), that Rt. 81 corridor on both sides, then east to Lehighton/Allentown area, that whole South East Corner on Pa...has a growth spurt of Coyotes. Even west of Mahanoy City, in the Mahantango Valley they are experiencing high Coyote population.
What I am trying to point out, Pa. has a healthy population of Coyote. Maybe not in your area.
There are so many things to factor when talking about animal density in a given county or township.
Pa. in not over run by Coyotes, just some areas of the state have a higher density.