What’s a “coywolf?” What most people call a “coywolf” is the eastern coyote. I first encountered the term “coywolf” in the literature in the paper “Genetic Characterization of Eastern Coyotes in Eastern Massachusetts” by Way et al (2010), and I’ve heard many people use this term to refer to the hybrid coyotes (and sometimes hybrid wolves) that they see in eastern North America. In theory, an “eastern coyote” is any coyote in eastern North America — coyote (Canis latrans) is native to the western

Making a living isn’t easy if you’re an eastern coyote—also known as a coywolf. These animals carry DNA from wolves, coyotes, and even domestic dogs, a testament to their adaptability and resilience. As top predators, coywolves play a vital role in keeping our ecosystems healthy. Vermont Fish & Wildlife often acknowledges their importance on our landscapes. Yet despite this praise, they afford coyotes few protections. They are hunted year-round, even during denning season, when adults are trying