dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

whats the difference? there is a bunch of tracks in my woods but i dont know if they are dog or coyote. whats a good way in determining which is which?

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

anyone?

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

i google it once i did it awhile back had some good info, dont remember it off the top of my head.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

You should go to a search engine and look for prints or photos of coyote tracks. The coyote tracks arenarrower and more pointed than a dogs tracks. However, I have been fooled by a few medium sized dogs with a more pointed track.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

There is really no way to tell for sure. Coyotes are typically longer, narrower, and tighter than most dogs. Some dogs can look a lot like a yoter. And then you have the ground conditions which can really change the way the tracks look. Depending on how remote it is, and how bad people are about keeping their dogs up could have alot to do with it to. Drive around and see how many domestic dogs are around, should give you a good idea.

Later,

Marcial

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

OK?

try this link

http://finsandfur.net/forums/index.php?topic=821.0

there IS ways of telling for sure!!!

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

P.S. being in upstate NY you have no shortage of snow! Look at the tracks in question, if they go in a straight line then they are coyote. If they sway from side to side then they are domestic dog.

That IS and easy way to tell!

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

coyotes run in a straight line almost and never run the same track again unless there are alot of snow then they'll run deer but otherwise coyote yes are more pointier and look similiar to a pointed clover dog will be much wider with their toes hope this helps

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

""and never run the same track again unless there are alot of snow then they'll run deer""

I am not sure that is true, coyotes always take the path of least resistance. So if a coyote travels down a path to get somewhere, then what? does he need to find a new path??

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

There is no sure fire way to know if it is a yote or not.. those things on the other forum may help a little but it aint a sure thing. Just like the coyote walk in straight lines. Yes they might but domestic dogs can walk straight lines too. Nothing is for sure.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

The coyotes on the property I hunt hit the same tracks and run they same areas all the time.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

Are you serious?? Did you click on the link and see the tracks for your self? It is for sure. SO, if you are out scouting and area and see tracks, do you not go back and hunt that area "in case" it is a domestic dog?

If you know what to look for then you would know that it is A. coyote or B. domestic dog.

I suggest you look at that link again and study it.

as far as coyotes using the same path or not, I hunt this piece of powerline, in the snow I find a highway of COYOTE tracks on one side of the powerline. It happens to be the opposite side of where the logs and brush are dumped when the power company trims the trees away. (path of least resistance) If I step, drive my quad or it snows over those tracks, when I come back the tracks are right back in the exact same place until they split of and hunt then regroup on the same pathway.

Again, if you know what to look for then it is a sure thing!

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

No its not.. Half the time you dont get that kind of definition as those piks show, so as i said its not always a sure thing.. you try checkin tracks in 5 inches of snow.. it aint that defined.. so you wouldnt be able to see the difference between coyote and a dog.. ;)

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

OK here it is, if you look real close at the tracks in question a coyotes front paws are larger than the rear and almost always shows the nail print in them. The reason being that it is easier for them to catch smaller prey with the larger front paws.A domastic dogs tracks are all the same size.This is what I have read on I think it was Varmint Al's website. And as far as walking in a straight line that is false also. If that were the case I would think that any predator would miss out on alot of meals and walk on past them.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

I agree on some but disagree on some lumberjack.

The nail prints is a dead giveaway and the front paws being bigger that the back is also true. Thanks for pointing that out!

But the side to side thing is true. coyotes walk in a straight line, domestics do not.

Coyotes are going to point A to point B by their travel route, it is the same travel route UNLESS something spoils that route. They travel that route because they know it, trust it and know how to use it's terrian. Much like Deer.

coyotes also have set Den sites, assembly areas and Hunting areas. So by saying that they Might miss food sources by walking in a straight line is untrue. They know what land and terrian holds food and they go to it. When the food source dries up, they find another. Thats why coyotes have such a huge range that they travel every day, Some studies show the N.E. coyote has up to 20 miles to travel that they do everyday.

I admit that on occasion they might stumble on a mouse under the snow or rabbit by suprise, but they generally hunt where the food sources are.

With all that being said and you still don't trust your track ID skills try locating at night to find your coyotes. Because 95% of the time if you go out howling after 9 or so at night and you get a vocal response, you have found a denning site.

Easterns are MUCH less vocal than westerns and not as abundant. You have to get them where they live and feel comfortable responding to that "easy meal" or when you create a territorial response by them. Easterns will most always respond vocally from a den site, not hunting grounds or travel route. They are very cautious to give up there location unless they are on their turf. (again, where they are comfortable)

Good luck guys!

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

Fingerz, I am not picking on you, just want to offer info!

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

Thats okay I like the info. Your last post was good.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

Once you identify enough coyote tracks and learn what they look like, there will be no doubt in your mind between a dog of any size, and a coyote. Like was said, the coyotes tracks will be one infront of the other no matter if the coyote is walking, trotting, or running where as all dogs will have tracks that are side by side.
Looking at a single track may be confusing, so instead look at the pattern of tracks!

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

Thanks Browning for correcting me on the straight line walk, never to old to learn.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

Howler: Good post!

Lumberjack: we all have info to share. We all learn something from each other.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

Yea.... Fingerz42 you need to look at them again, there is clearly a difference.

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

Thank you jake.. I needed your 2 cents...

RE: dog tracks vs. coyote tracks
 

toes on a yote are straight and inline a dog will be more spread out and sloppy..