Back in 1975 in the spring and early summer, the Montana Department of Feb., Wildlife and Parks discovered that nearly every mule deer fawn that they studied in the Missouri Breaks was eventually lost to coyotes. In Nebraska, a two year study was initiated. According to Karl Menzel, Nebraska big game specialist, 112 coyotes were removed from a 170 square mile area in that state. This was done to study the effects of coyote control upon antelope fawn survival. Fawn survival success rates climbed to 62% inside the study zone, compared to 25% outside. In 1991,88 coyotes were taken from another study area comprised of 150 square odes, Fawn success rates reached 58% inside as compared with 35% outside the study zone.

On a ranch in Toms, studies were performed where half the ranch was placed under intense coyote control work, the other half was not touched and coyotes were left alone. The problem was whitetail fawn losses. The study found that with coyote control, the fawning success in the controlled half of the ranch increased by 500%.

Texas coyotes are not the only ones who have a taste for venison these days. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, fawns account for 58 to 70% of the diet of that state's coyotes in the months of May, June, and July. No wonder hunters are beginning to ask if coyote predation affects the quality of deer hunting in areas of the country. The science of wildlife management is complex, but two factors are emerging. First, by decreasing fawn mortality rates via predator control -even more bucks survive to their first season. "It’s simple mathematics," said Harold Baldwin, a private game manager in Texas. "Roughly half of the fawns are males."