RESPONSE OF COYOTES AND GRAY WOLVES TO SIMULATED HOWLING IN NORTH-CENTRAL WASHINGTON

Simulated howling provided information on the location of coyotes (Can is latrans) and gray wolves (Canis lupus) in north-central Washington. Coyotes responded to simulated howling at a rate of 9.9% and wolves a t a rate of 0.1% from April through October. The low response rate for wolves can most likely be attributed to low density in our study area . Response rates of coyotes were highest in September and October, and during dawn and dusk. Both wolf responses occurred during early Augus t and at dusk. The sex of the person simulating the howl did not affec t the response rate. There was not a significant difference in the res ponse rates of coyotes between backcountry and road surveys. Monitorin g the RR/S of these species may be useful in estimating the response o f coyotes to a recolonizing wolf population. This method would be a us eful component in programs monitoring the populations of wolves and co yotes.