Trying to identify animal that killed deer on our property?

Question

We live on 72 acres in Whitetop. Yesterday we found a leg bone and hoof of a deer that apparently had been killed by some type of animal. Any feedback on what could have killed the deer? Should we be concerned for our Lab?

Just an additional comment..The deer remains were definitely "fresh".we had just been on this trail the afternoon before. It was an "event" that occurred during the evening or early am.

Answer 1

If you live in Whitetop, Va. it's probably coyotes. I hunt that area and there are a lot of coyotes there. I've seen a pack of wild dogs on 605 just off 58 and that could also be the cause. Anywhere from Elk Garden to the towers at the top of Whitetop you'll see coyote sign. Listen at night and you'll probably hear them if it's calm. I'd keep the dog inside at night or if you are gone. At least in a fenced in area that would keep the others out. There are also bobcats in your area but they are too small to take down a full grown healthy deer.

Answer 2

Last month I came up on a pack of stray dogs on one of the deer on my property.
Steam was coming off the exposed meat, that how fresh a kill it was.
Dog are gone now!

But your deer could of died of natural causes old age, car injury, coyotes, bobcats and or stray or feral dogs or any other species of predator in your area.
I don’t know where you live the clue was not good enough, but even severe weather as in too much snow and ice will some times kill deer.
Very well could have been wounded by a deer hunter that got away, that too is a possibility this time of year.
With the small amount you found, the kill may not even have occurred on your property.

It could be the discarded remains of a butchered deer taken during season by one of the adjoining property owners, that stray dogs may have dragged it over from the adjoining property.

Unless there is more evidence of further depredation I would not be to alarmed at this point.

I handle Nuisance Wildlife Control authorized by the Department of Wildlife in my home State, and what you have described is common place around here this time of year.

Hope this helped

D58

Answer 3

My best guess is domestic dogs running in packs. They have been known to destroy deer and livestock, but they usually won't eat what they kill as they tend to already be well-fed.

It could also be coyotes. They are everywhere now. Coyotes have been known to take down deer and livestock especially when conditions are harsh like during winter or severe drought. Coyotes, however, tend to scavenge which is why they can go unnoticed in populated areas.

Watch your pets especially if you suspect the culprits are coyotes. Someone suggested a big cat. Could be, but big cats tend to hunt solo and carry their kill whole, back to their young or where they intend to eat it, sometimes a high tree. Finding pieces of deer as you have is more indicative of an animal that packs, two or more to take down a larger prey. That MOA is more of dogs, domestic or wild, or coyotes.

Good luck.

H

Answer 4

assuming 'fresh' means the past 12 -16 hours, , and that the bone you recovered is apparently 'clean', and the hooves are still evident, and the greater part of the carcase is not around any where, and there is no evidence of predators fighting over the leg, and no sign that an 'old kill' has been returned to , i would bet that your discovery is some remnant of an animal that is simply being snacked on by a young coyote, or hauled around by denning opportunist, it's likely the bone is 'older' and not as fresh as you have assumed it to be

Answer 5

Bound's hubby here:

Be concerned for your dog! Anything that could take down a deer can, and most definitely would, take down your dog.

My suspicion is that either you may have a coyote, or more realistically, a large cat on the loose! An absence of blatant tracks would suggest to me a large cat, perhaps bob cat or cougar. I am not certain what would be indigenous to you!

A safe bet might be to call your local wildlife biologist/game warden and see what they can offer you in the line of advice!

Good luck!

Answer 6

Since I don't know exactly where Whitetop resides, I take a best guess. It is likely a wolf or coyote that would do this next to a populated area, but I will not pass it up for certain bear types. Also, your dog will tell you out of it own fear its concerns, but keep your dog close to you and your home

Answer 7

Well, I have no idea where Whitetop is. What makes you think the deer was killed? Where I live, about 98 percent of deer deaths are due to hunting (by people) or by natural causes. Once a deer is down and dead, predators will mangle the body very quickly, making you possibly think it was killed. Where I live, coyotes are the biggest natural predator of deer, but they usually can't bring one down unless it's sick or there are a whole pack of them.

Answer 8

Anything could have killed it. My guess:
A 5000 pound metal object hurling down the road. I would bet it was hit by a vehicle, mortally wounded, it made it off the road onto your property where it layed down and died then other animals did the rest. Or, it was wounded and not recovered in hunting season and later died. Then other animals started to part it out. Birds, small animals, coyotes etc.
If it is a singular event I don't think you have anything to be concerned about.

Godspeed

Answer 9

Depending on the area that you live in you can have wolves, wild dogs, coyote, bear. Either way I would be concerned for any animal especially if they hunt in packs. Bear may or may not go near a barking dog.

Answer 10

These are a deer's natural predators...
bear, mountain lion, wolf, pack of coyotes, and man.
Any one could have killed this deer. And any one of these could kill your Lab.

I have a Black Lab, and know how great of dog they are, I sure wouldn't want anything to happen to mine.