Responses of free-ranging coyotes to lures and their modifications

Several chemical modifications of a synthetic fermented egg (SFE) lure were field tested on free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) to determine the effects of odor intensity and quality on their behavioral responses. SFE was modified for testing by (1) enhancing one of the four basic odor components (fruity, sulfurous, sweaty, or fishy), (2) deleting one of the basic components, (3) individually testing an odor component, and (4) addition of aldehydes and indoles to SFE. Most behavioral responses, especially visitation, increased with odor intensity. Widely different odors elicited similar visitation. Specific odor quality influenced response rates such as urinating, defecating, digging, scratching, rolling, and pulling.