ID: Red Wolf vs. Coyote

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The Red Wolf (Canis rufus, formerly C. niger) looks much like a big coyote (Canis latrans). They interbreed, seriously affecting the endangered pure Red Wolf population.

I think the wolf is protected in some states. ??

How can a hunter easily distinguish a wolf from a coyote or a coywolf? Even a coydog?

Is this even possible under field conditions?

Bear Bio or any other wildlife biologist here know?
 
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Met a Texican Good Old Boy who has a ranch near del Norte, CO. He says he shot a Wolf when none were supposed to be in that area.
He called Game and Fish and they hauled it off then claimed it was not a Wolf, but some kind of Coyote-Dog cross.
 
I know two here in the last year, one was trapped one was shot both more that likely had red wolf in them. There is a recent event on Galveston Island that confirmed red wolf DNA in a group of coyotes there. I doubt you will ever see a pure red wolf again. The last group of Red wolves were rounded up a long time ago and now live on an island in N. or S. Carolina. The only way to tell is DNA. I think that was posted.
 
So the bottom line is, if protected,a hunter really has no way to tell if he's risking a charge if a warden says the animal was a red wolf?

His lawyer would have to demand a DNA test, which would hopefully favor his client.

Of course, the other side of that coin is that a hunter genuinely concerned not to shoot a rare species also has no way to be sure.
 
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Demand a jury trial, and the jury would be too puzzled as to whether there was reasonable doubt. You'd probably have a hung jury or one so disgusted by the charge, they'd acquit.
 
Well the Red wolf was listed By US fish and Game as biologically extinct in 1980. It is however listed as endangered by TPWD, but the state code is SX meaning extinct or expatriated. The two I know about didn't raise any eyebrows with TPWD
 
dockmurgw said:
This is a fascinating subject, thanks for bringing it up OP. Here is an article on the subject here in VT. And the pic is from my game camera set up near my pond...sure looks "wolfy" to me.

VT: State says coywolves are no myth | Timber Wolf Information Network
Click to expand...

In the NE US and in Eastern Canada, there's def.a larger race of coyotes that prob.have some wolf blood.

The pair that killed a folk singer in a Canadian park may have been that sort. The RCMP killed them, but I don't know if DNA tests were done.
 
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In about 1950 I was driving on a dirt road and a red wolf came out of a field on my right and ran down the road in front of my car and then went into a field on my left. It was the only one that I have ever seen.
There was no doubt what it was.
 
In Minnesota I saw a coyote-like canine that had similarities to the coyotes I see in Washington State, except it was taller, skinnier and reddish colored instead of grey-brown. I was told by a local that they call them brush wolves and are a cross breed between northern wolf and coyote. I am not sure if they can be legally hunted. But, they sure sound like coyotes when they are yipping.
 
Bear Bio

Haven't seen Bear Bio here lately. Is he okay?

I thought he might comment in this topic.
 
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