Can You Eat Coyote?: A Guide to the Pros and Cons

Can You Eat Coyote?

The coyote is a North American mammal that is often seen as a pest. But did you know that coyotes are also edible? In fact, coyote meat is said to be quite delicious, with a flavor similar to that of beef.

So, is it legal to eat coyote? And if so, how do you prepare it? In this article, we will explore the legality of eating coyote meat, as well as some tips on how to cook it.

We will also discuss the nutritional value of coyote meat, and whether or not it is a healthy option. So, if you’re ever wondering whether or not you can eat coyote, read on!

Question	Answer	Source
Can you eat coyote?	No	USDA Forest Service
Why can’t you eat coyote?	Coyotes are predators and can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans.	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

History of Eating Coyotes

Coyotes have been eaten by humans for centuries. There are a number of reasons why people have eaten coyotes, including:

• Cultural reasons: In some cultures, coyote meat is considered to be a delicacy. For example, in the Navajo Nation, coyote meat is often eaten during ceremonial feasts.
• Economic reasons: Coyotes are often considered to be pests, and people have traditionally hunted them for their fur and meat.
• Survival reasons: In times of famine, coyotes have been eaten as a source of food.

The practice of eating coyotes has changed over time. In the past, coyotes were more commonly eaten by people who lived in rural areas. However, as coyote populations have increased in urban areas, more and more people have been eating coyotes.

Today, coyote meat is still eaten by people in some parts of the world, but it is not as common as it once was.

When and where did people start eating coyotes?

There is evidence that people have been eating coyotes for centuries. In North America, the earliest evidence of coyote consumption dates back to the 16th century. At that time, coyotes were hunted by Native Americans for their fur and meat.

Coyotes were also eaten by early European settlers in North America. In the 18th and 19th centuries, coyotes were often hunted as pests. Their meat was considered to be a cheap and easy source of food.

In the 20th century, the practice of eating coyotes declined in some parts of the world. However, it remained common in other parts of the world, such as the Navajo Nation.

What are some of the cultural reasons for eating coyotes?

In some cultures, coyote meat is considered to be a delicacy. For example, in the Navajo Nation, coyote meat is often eaten during ceremonial feasts.

The Navajo believe that coyote meat is a symbol of strength and endurance. They also believe that eating coyote meat can help to protect them from harm.

In other cultures, coyote meat is eaten as a way to show respect for the animal. For example, in some Native American cultures, it is considered to be disrespectful to waste any part of an animal. This means that even if a coyote is killed for its fur, its meat will also be eaten.

How has the practice of eating coyotes changed over time?

The practice of eating coyotes has changed over time. In the past, coyotes were more commonly eaten by people who lived in rural areas. However, as coyote populations have increased in urban areas, more and more people have been eating coyotes.

Today, coyote meat is still eaten by people in some parts of the world, but it is not as common as it once was. This is due to a number of factors, including:

• The increased availability of other types of meat
• The decline in coyote populations
• The increased awareness of the risks associated with eating coyote meat

Despite these factors, there are still some people who choose to eat coyote meat. These people often do so for cultural or economic reasons.

Nutritional Value of Coyote Meat

Coyote meat is a good source of protein, iron, and zinc. It also contains some vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and niacin.

The nutritional value of coyote meat varies depending on the animal’s diet. Coyotes that eat a diet of mostly meat will have a higher fat content than coyotes that eat a diet of mostly plants.

Coyote meat is generally considered to be safe to eat, but there are some risks associated with eating it. These risks include:

• Parasites: Coyotes can carry parasites, such as tapeworms and roundworms. These parasites can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of coyote meat.
• Bacteria: Coyotes can also carry bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of coyote meat.

It is important to cook coyote meat thoroughly to kill any parasites or bacteria that may be present.

What nutrients are found in coyote meat?

Coyote meat is a good source of protein, iron, and zinc. It also contains some vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and niacin.

The following table shows the nutritional value of coyote meat per 100 grams:

| Nutrient | Amount |
|—|—|
| Calories | 160 |
| Protein | 20 grams |
| Fat | 10 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 0 grams |
| Fiber | 0 grams |
| Iron | 3.5 milligrams |
| Zinc | 2.5 milligrams |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.4 micrograms |
| Niacin | 4.6 milligrams |

Safety of Eating Coyotes

Coyotes are wild animals that can carry a variety of diseases, including rabies, brucellosis, and tularemia. Eating a coyote that has been infected with one of these diseases can pose a serious health risk.

In addition, coyotes that have been hunted or trapped may have been exposed to harmful chemicals, such as lead or mercury. These chemicals can accumulate in the coyote’s body and can be passed on to humans who eat the meat.

Finally, coyotes that have been road-killed may have been injured or killed by a car. This can contaminate the meat with bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.

For all of these reasons, it is important to take precautions when eating coyote meat. These precautions include:

• Only eating coyotes that have been tested and certified as free of disease.
• Avoiding coyotes that have been hunted or trapped with chemicals.
• Avoiding coyotes that have been road-killed.
• Cooking coyote meat thoroughly to kill any bacteria.

If you are unsure about the safety of eating coyote meat, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid eating it altogether.

Risks of Eating Coyotes that have been Hunted or Trapped

Coyotes that have been hunted or trapped may have been exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals, including lead and mercury. These chemicals can accumulate in the coyote’s body and can be passed on to humans who eat the meat.

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause a variety of health problems, including anemia, kidney damage, and neurological problems. Mercury is also a toxic metal that can cause a variety of health problems, including kidney damage, neurological problems, and birth defects.

In addition, coyotes that have been hunted or trapped may have been injured or killed by a car. This can contaminate the meat with bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.

For all of these reasons, it is important to take precautions when eating coyote meat that has been hunted or trapped. These precautions include:

• Only eating coyotes that have been tested and certified as free of lead and mercury.
• Avoiding coyotes that have been injured or killed by a car.
• Cooking coyote meat thoroughly to kill any bacteria.

If you are unsure about the safety of eating coyote meat, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid eating it altogether.

Risks of Eating Coyotes that have been Road-killed

Coyotes that have been road-killed may have been injured or killed by a car. This can contaminate the meat with bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.

In addition, coyotes that have been road-killed may have been exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals, including oil and gasoline. These chemicals can also contaminate the meat and make it unsafe to eat.

For all of these reasons, it is important to avoid eating coyotes that have been road-killed.

Risks of Eating Coyotes that have been Fed Human Food

Coyotes that have been fed human food may have become accustomed to eating human food and may not be afraid of humans. This can make them more likely to attack humans, especially if they are cornered or threatened.

In addition, coyotes that have been fed human food may have become sick from the food they have eaten. This can make them more likely to spread disease to humans.

For all of these reasons, it is important to avoid feeding coyotes human food.

Legality of Eating Coyotes

The legality of eating coyotes varies from state to state. In some states, it is legal to hunt and eat coyotes, while in other states, it is illegal. It is important to check the laws in your state before hunting or eating a coyote.

In addition, the legality of eating coyotes may also vary depending on the tribe or nation that owns the land where the coyote was killed. It is important to check with the tribe or nation before hunting or eating a coyote on their land.

Here is a list of the states where it is legal to hunt and eat coyotes:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas

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Can you eat coyote?

No, you should not eat coyote. Coyotes are wild animals that can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Additionally, coyotes are not typically raised for human consumption and may contain high levels of toxins.

What are the risks of eating coyote?

The risks of eating coyote include:

• Disease transmission: Coyotes can carry a variety of diseases, including rabies, brucellosis, and tularemia. These diseases can be transmitted to humans through contact with the coyote’s blood, saliva, or other bodily fluids.
• Toxins: Coyotes may contain high levels of toxins, such as heavy metals and pesticides. These toxins can accumulate in the coyote’s body over time and can cause health problems in humans who eat the coyote.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Coyotes are not typically raised for human consumption and may not contain the nutrients that humans need. Eating coyote meat can lead to nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 deficiency.

Are there any exceptions to the rule that you shouldn’t eat coyote?

There are no exceptions to the rule that you shouldn’t eat coyote. Coyotes are wild animals that can carry diseases and toxins that can be harmful to humans.

What should I do if I see a coyote?

If you see a coyote, you should:

• Stay calm. Coyotes are not typically aggressive towards humans, but they may become aggressive if they feel threatened.
• Make yourself appear large. Stand up straight and wave your arms.
• Throw rocks or sticks at the coyote. This will scare the coyote away.
• Back away slowly. Do not turn your back on the coyote.
• Call animal control if the coyote does not leave.

How can I prevent coyotes from coming near my home?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent coyotes from coming near your home, including:

• Keep your yard free of debris. Coyotes are attracted to areas where they can find food and shelter. Keep your yard free of debris, such as trash, pet food, and fallen fruit.
• Secure your garbage cans. Coyotes can easily open garbage cans, so make sure to secure them with lids or locks.
• Install motion-activated lights. Coyotes are nocturnal animals, so they are more likely to be active at night. Installing motion-activated lights can deter coyotes from coming near your home.
• Fence your yard. A fence can help to keep coyotes out of your yard. Make sure the fence is at least six feet tall and that there are no gaps that coyotes can fit through.

Can I adopt a coyote?

No, you should not adopt a coyote. Coyotes are wild animals that are not suited for living in captivity. Coyotes can become aggressive and dangerous if they are not properly socialized. Additionally, coyotes can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

Where can I learn more about coyotes?

If you would like to learn more about coyotes, you can visit the following websites:

• [National Wildlife Federation: Coyotes](https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Coyotes)
• [US Fish and Wildlife Service: Coyotes](https://www.fws.gov/coyotes/)
• [The Humane Society of the United States: Coyotes](https://www.humanesociety.org/animals/coyotes/tips/coexisting-coyotes)

  the answer to the question of whether or not you can eat coyote is yes, but it is not advisable. Coyotes are wild animals and can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Additionally, coyotes are not typically raised for human consumption, so they may not be as safe to eat as other types of meat. If you are considering eating coyote, it is important to take precautions to avoid getting sick.

Here are some tips for eating coyote safely:

• Only eat coyotes that have been harvested from a reputable source.
• Cook the coyote meat thoroughly to kill any harmful bacteria.
• Avoid eating the internal organs of the coyote, as these are more likely to contain harmful bacteria.
• If you have any concerns about eating coyote meat, consult with your doctor.