coyotes typically eat from the rear forward...looks like a missed shot/possibly barbed wire..

chupacobra

+1

barbed wire


+1

Thanks for all the replies. There are several barbed wire fences in the area, I didn't go that route because it didn't catch the legs but I guess the chest might hang down far enough that it caught without the legs catching. Didn't eat it, looked way too infected. Coyotes did eat it though, went back a week later and only bones and hide left.

I sure wouldn't trust eating. Sure looks gross.

Broadhead or Bullet. I shot a deer once that had almost the entire shaft enveloped in a pus sack. Someone shot it while facing them and the arrow went left of center through the armpit area and stayed under the hide. It was badly infected and stunk terribly. It did seem to be moving with no problems but I'm sure it would have died from the infection.
Amazing tough critters.

Deer are amazing animals. I grazed a doe one yr on the belly. Took me 3 hrs tracking and finally caught up to her. I did make a long wound kinda like someone cut her with a knife. So I would say all sound like it could have caused the wound. Glad you got it.

Any number of things that might cut it open, as has been stated. From bullet, to broandhead, to fence. If it were a coyote, you likely wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to take a shot at it. And there would have been additional scaring from bite wounds, around the neck or hind quarters.