How do coyotes hunt deer and other prey?

Coyotes are highly efficient, primarily nocturnal predators that rely on keen senses to locate and capture prey. While they are visual hunters in open areas, they utilize their senses of smell and hearing to track prey through thick vegetation or forests.12

When hunting white-tailed deer, a single coyote is capable of making a kill, particularly in deep snow where the deer's movement is restricted. They typically attack by repeatedly biting the deer's hindquarters and back legs, eventually securing the kill with a choking bite to the throat.2

Coyotes often hunt in pairs or packs during the fall and early winter, and their hunting success generally increases with the size of the pack. While they are opportunistic and will consume whatever prey they encounter—including snowshoe hares—larger packs are more likely to target larger animals. In addition to hunting, coyotes also scavenge for carrion and supplement their diet with wild fruits and berries when animal prey is difficult to obtain.2