Did Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Introduce Coyotes? Myth Debunked

Did Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Introduce Coyotes? Myth Debunked

During a House Conservation and Environment Committee meeting in February 2012, Rep. Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) claimed that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) introduced coyotes into the state to control the growing deer population.

This statement sparked controversy and raised questions about wildlife management practices in Tennessee.

Did Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Introduce Coyotes? Myth Debunked

The Claim
Niceley stated, “The TWRA brought the coyotes in here to control the deer herd. Their biologists are not dumb. They knew these deer, in an ideal situation like this, would explode (in population).” He also expressed concerns about the impact of coyotes on livestock and public safety, citing personal losses of sheep to coyote attacks.

TWRA’s Response
TWRA officials firmly denied Niceley’s claim. Nat Johnson, the agency’s assistant executive director, initially responded with humor, suggesting coyotes swam across the Mississippi River into Tennessee.

He later clarified that the agency had never relocated coyotes to the state. Steve Patrick, TWRA’s assistant director of field operations, backed this statement, emphasizing that such relocation efforts had never occurred.

Dr. Michael Kennedy, a biology professor at the University of Memphis with extensive research on coyotes, confirmed that the species arrived in Tennessee through natural dispersal, not human intervention.

His research shows that the state’s coyotes are genetically identical to those in western states.

Debunking the Myth
The notion of wildlife agencies introducing coyotes is a persistent myth in several states, not just Tennessee. Pennsylvania’s Game Commission, for example, explicitly denies such claims on its website.

Experts, including Kennedy, further explain that coyotes are not effective deer population regulators. While they occasionally prey on fawns and weak animals, deer make up a small portion of their diet.

Red Wolves and Coyotes
Niceley later pointed to a federal red wolf reintroduction program in the 1990s as potential evidence of coyote relocation.

However, this effort, led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service, focused exclusively on red wolves in the Great Smoky Mountains and ended unsuccessfully in 1998. TWRA had no involvement in the program.

Our Ruling
Niceley’s statement lacks any factual basis and perpetuates a debunked rural myth. TWRA officials and wildlife experts unanimously confirm that coyotes naturally dispersed into Tennessee and were not introduced by any agency.

Additionally, coyotes are not effective in managing deer populations. Niceley’s claim is categorically false and earns a “Pants On Fire” rating.

For more accurate information on wildlife management, consult trusted sources such as TWRA or academic research.

Samuel Moore

Samuel Moore is the voice behind TastyWoo, specializing in US News, Local News, Business, Food, Travel, and Finance. With a passion for delivering accurate and insightful articles, Samuel ensures that every piece is thoroughly fact-checked, leaving little room for misinformation. His engaging style keeps readers informed and inspired.

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