I spotted this young Coyote during a recent visit to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It was near the auto tour road, working hard to drag what appeared to be a dead wild hog carcass out of the field.
The scene did not last long, but it gave me a close look at how Coyotes make use of food they find.
Coyote Dragging Carcass Near the Auto Tour Road
As I drove the auto tour road, I noticed two young Coyotes in the field. One was pulling at the carcass while the other rested nearby and watched.
The Coyote dragging the carcass tried for several minutes. It tugged and worked at it, but the carcass appeared too heavy to move very far.
After a while, the first Coyote gave up and walked away. The second Coyote then got up, walked over, sniffed around, and marked the carcass before both Coyotes left the field and went into the woods.
This happened on May 2, 2023, in spring habitat at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Open fields, woods, and wetland edges make this refuge a good place to watch wildlife behavior from the road.
Coyotes are opportunistic feeders. I have seen that in other encounters too, including this post on a Coyote With A Snow Goose Wing. They use what the landscape provides.
Photographing the Coyote From the Roadside
I photographed this from near the auto tour road after I spotted the Coyotes from my vehicle. I moved quickly, but I stayed at a safe distance and let the behavior continue without pushing them.
The long lens helped me frame the Coyote while keeping my distance. The light was bright enough for a fast shutter speed, which helped freeze the pulling motion.
Camera details:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
- Date and time: May 2, 2023, 09:49 a.m.
- Aperture: f/11
- Shutter speed: 1/1000
- ISO: 800
- Focal length: 800mm
This was not a dramatic chase or a clean portrait. It was a small moment of real wildlife behavior.
That is what made it interesting to me. The two Coyotes showed how much goes on in a field when I slow down and pay attention.
Encounters like this remind me why I keep returning to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. There is always something new to learn from watching wildlife on its own terms.