ESTIMATING COYOTE DENSITY FROM MARK-RESIGHT SURVEYS

Because studies of coyote (Canis latrans) density have lacked standard ization and estimates of variance, we conducted a mark-resight study o f 17 coyotes on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA), Colorado, to provide the basis for recommending survey design. Radiolocations of some coyo tes on and off the study area verified that geographic closure of the population was violated. Thus, we estimated coyote population size wit h an estimator that allows for immigration and emigration. Using progr am NOREMARK (a mark-resight program; Neal et al. 1993), we estimated t hat a daily population of 50 (95% CI = 34-81, 0.71/km(2)) coyotes and a total population of 73 (95% CI = 50-121) coyotes used the study area during December 1990-January 1991. With Monte Carlo simulations in pr ogram NOREMARK, we demonstrated that if greater than or equal to 20% o f the population is marked and observed during each survey, it is more cost effective to decrease bias and improve precision by conducting a dditional surveys rather than capturing and marking more coyotes. We r ecommend conducting simulations with program NOREMARK; to determine th e best way to decrease bias and improve precision while minimizing cos t of a coyote mark-resight study.