Coyotes first appeared in SC about 30 years ago and continue to expand greatly in numbers. Coyotes are negatively impacting our official State Animal, the White-tailed deer, by preying heavily on deer fawns.

Coyote Facts

• Average adult coyote is 35 pounds, but can exceed 50 pounds.
• Coyotes are mostly grayish-brown to reddish-tan; nearly all black is not uncommon.
• Coyotes reproduce in late winter, have a 63 day gestation period, and produce 5-7 pups per litter.
• As evidenced in other states with long established coyote populations, expanding coyote populations are likely to impact local deer and small game. However, overtime coyote populations are expected to stabilize allowing deer, turkey and small game to still exist in healthy numbers in South Carolina.

Where did they come from?
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has NEVER imported and released coyotes into the state for any reason, including deer management.

Coyotes first appeared in the upstate in 1978, they are now present in all counties of South Carolina.

Coyotes were illegally imported into South Carolina for hound running. SCDNR and Federal law enforcement has and will continue to prosecute for this activity.

Eastern migration of coyotes has also resulted in natural expansion of the species in South Carolina.