Interesting study, especially if you actually read it.
It appears to be a very small and limited study that based conclusions on only 28 fawn carcasses that were found and determined to be killed by predators. There was no video or game camera evidence. Predator DNA found on 14 fawn carcasses was taken as absolute evidence that the fawn was killed by that particular predator, even though all of the noted predators are known to scavenge and feed on carcasses of dead animals they did not actually kill. The study could be significant, or it could indicate the results came from a very small sample in a limited area that happened to have a greater than average bear population density, and lower than average coyote density. Coyotes may actually avoid an area with an abundance of black bears and bobcats.
As I said earlier, no study results I was able to find showed that an average adult black bear killed more than an average adult coyote. A couple studies said they each killed a very similar number of fawns annually, but unknown how this was determined. And as much as I hate to say it, we cannot discount the possibility that the researchers who conducted this non-peer reviewed study (which has not been replicated by other wildlife biologists), was not done by researchers with an agenda of supporting increased numbers of coyotes.
It's hard for me to just have blind faith in wildlife biologists after my own state vastly increased the number of antlerless deer permits. The vast majority of hunters complained about reduced deer numbers, some sportsmen attempted to sue the Game Commission, many Butcher shops reported large drops in deer processing, yet the biologists and Game Commission claimed the population was higher than ever, and needed to be cut further. The same Game Commission that turned ringneck pheasants into an endangered species, except for stocked birds.
One fact is certain. No matter where you go, the number of hunters who feel and actually see evidence that coyotes are detrimental to game animal populations far outweighs the number of hunters who are glad to see coyotes move into an area. The small minority who welcome coyotes pretty much consists of farmers who like seeing less crop damage from deer, Insurance companies who like seeing less deer/vehicle accident claims, and the guys who buy expensive coyote tracking dogs, and love to hunt them. Oh, and some "academic types" who are convinced that more carnivorous predators equals more fawns and game birds. I will continue to try to put a bullet into any coyote I see, pups included, like the last two I killed. So sorry I missed a third as it ran into high grass.
