Not shooting coyote(s) when you have the opportunity has the potential to ruin many hunts.
Coyotes (Predators) and Deer (prey) have always been at odds (consider Texas for example). If left alone (without human intervention) they will strike a balance.
Since man does have an impact, it is up to us (hunters) to intervene (manage) both species (conservation). Keep in mind too, coyotes also have an impact on turkeys. If you hunt turkeys and deer, passing up a coyote in the fall has the potential to eliminate a tom turkey before spring arrives (they do come to turkey calls - first hand experience knowledge!).
I remember when the debate was "yes, coyotes are too killing fawns" VS "coyotes are getting a few fawns here and there, but they are not having a significant impact". The studies and research has been done - coyotes ARE having a significant impact on fawn recruitment.
Here is what another state is saying to hunters in it's state;
Hunters Help Control Coyotes and Save Our Deer Anyone aware of the big multi year study done on deer & coyotes in SC? The findings were eyeopening!!
Are Coyotes Impacting Deer? USDA Study In this first phase of the study researchers did nothing to the coyotes. They did not shoot or trap any of the coyotes. In the 2nd phase the researchers did shoot and trap coyotes, and the fawn recruitment went up. A few google searchers and you can read a lot of info on that study, and it is very educational.
Coyotes Impact Deer in Southeastern North America Save a Deer - Shoot a Coyote
Save a Turkey - Shoot a Coyote
Save a Quail - Shoot a Coyote
SCDNR:
"Also, coyotes are a recent addition to the landscape and are another piece of the puzzle. SCDNR has recently completed a major study with researchers at the Savannah River Site investigating the affects coyotes are having on the survival of deer fawns. Cumulative data through the first 3 years of the study indicated approximately 70 percent total fawn mortality with coyotes being responsible for approximately 80 percent of these mortalities. If these findings even moderately represent a statewide situation, this "new mortality factor" is clearly involved in the reduction in deer numbers. This is especially true when combined with extremely liberal deer harvests that have been the norm in South Carolina. The last 3 years of the study were for the purpose of determining if reducing coyote density through trapping increases fawn survival. It seems logical that if coyotes are preying on fawns, then significantly reducing coyote densities should increase fawn survival. Over the course of the 3 year coyote "control" phase, 474 coyotes were trapped/killed on the study areas. Overall, results showed only modest increases in fawn survival following these efforts with an overall average of about 39 percent increase in survival. Also, trapping seemed to help in some years but have little effect on predation in others. This "year" effect may have something to do with the availability of coyote food sources that may change in abundance annually. Given these results and the difficulty and high cost of coyote control, it seems apparent that making adjustments to how we manage deer, particularly female deer, is more important now that prior to the colonization of the state by coyotes."
