SIREN-ELICITED COYOTE VOCALIZATIONS: AN EVALUATION OF A CENSUS TECHNIQUE

Six coyotes (Canis latrans) were trapped, radio-instrumented, and released in north- eastern Colorado. These coyotes were radio-located weekly, and subjected to an automatic, elec- tronic siren stimulus. Three coyotes readily responded to the stimulus; three rarely responded. Mean strength of response for the three responding coyotes significantly (95 percent level) de- clined after five weeks. Barometric pressure changes, regardless of direction, were conducive to elicitation of responses. Elicited responses were heard at distances up to 1.6 km.