Red River Wildlife

12/04/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝘅 𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴

Coyotes are an essential part of the ecological balance. They help regulate prey species like rodents, rabbits, and other small mammals. Without predators like coyotes, these populations explode, damaging crops, stressing ecosystems, and creating bigger problems for everyone.

As for deer? In most areas of the country, deer are already overpopulated. Habitat damage, crop loss, vehicle collisions, and increased disease risk, including chronic wasting disease (CWD), Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses, are far bigger threats to deer populations than predators ever will be. Cars kill more deer in a month than coyotes do in an entire year.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

This part surprises most people: removing coyotes doesn’t reduce their numbers, it triggers a reproductive boom.

When coyotes are killed:

• Litter sizes increase (jumping from 2–3 pups to 6–10 or more).

• More pups survive because there’s less competition.

• Coyotes evolved as a species under constant pressure, so their biology adapts to compensate for losses. That’s why eradication has failed everywhere it’s ever been tried.

𝗦𝗼 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸? 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹, 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀

Living alongside coyotes is not only possible, it’s usually simple with the right precautions. These strategies protect livestock, pets, and property far more effectively than lethal control:

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸

• Bring cows closer to the barn during calving so vulnerable newborns aren’t isolated.

• Use livestock guardian animals such as Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherds, Kangals, or guardian donkeys.

• Install coyote rollers on top of fences to prevent climbing or jumping.

• Use secure night enclosures for goats, sheep, and poultry.

• Clean up attractants like afterbirth, carcasses, spilled feed, or open compost piles.

• Rotate pastures strategically, keeping vulnerable animals in more secure areas during high-risk periods.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝘀

• Supervise dogs outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

• Keep cats indoors.

• Keep pet food indoors, including leftover bowls.

• Use motion-activated spotlights or sprinklers.

• Secure fencing, even a 5–6 foot fence with rollers drastically reduces encounters.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 & 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀

• Remove brush piles where rodents thrive (rodents attract coyotes).

• Use wildlife-proof trash bins and avoid leaving garbage accessible.

• Encourage neighbors to follow the same precautions.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Coyotes aren’t the enemy; they’re part of the natural system that keeps everything running smoothly.
Trying to eliminate them just fuels bigger litters, more movement, and more conflicts.

Coexistence isn’t just possible; it’s proven, practical, and far more effective.
Help predators do what they’re designed to do, protect your animals with smart strategies, and watch the ecosystem stay healthier, calmer, and far more balanced.

For more information on coyotes and how to coexist, please visit Project Coyote or

Wild carnivores are among the most heavily persecuted species in the United States, despite their critical role in our ecosystems. The aftermath of the

01/15/2025

Please stop using rat poison

Lie - “Wildlife are safe because the rat poison is contained in a bait box.”

Truth - The poison leaves the box inside the rodent that ate it…

Rat poison kills its way up the food chain. Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides are killing our predator species. Please don’t ever use it.

03/31/2022

Be advised!

A wild duck in Payne County is the first wild bird in Oklahoma to be confirmed to be infected with the Eurasian H5 type of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

“While Oklahoma has not seen HPAI in a backyard or commercial poultry flock this year, the finding of this single duck adds Oklahoma to a long list of states with confirmed cases of HPAI,” said Dr. Rod Hall, State Veterinarian for Oklahoma. “I encourage poultry owners of all kinds to continue to remain vigilant, practice good biosecurity and report sick or dying birds immediately.”

Symptoms of HPAI in poultry include: a decrease in water consumption; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments.

This type of HPAI virus is considered low risk to people but can be very dangerous to poultry species which is an important part of Oklahoma’s agricultural industry.

“We’re asking that anyone involved with poultry or egg production, from large farms all the way down to backyard flock, review and implement their biosecurity practices to ensure the health and well-being of their flocks,” Dr. Hall said.

There have been no known cases of HPAI in domestic birds in Oklahoma, but the disease is continuing to infect domestic flocks throughout the northern and eastern United States. Since January of 2022, there have been 77 confirmed cases of HPAI in domestic flocks in the US.

Hunters should practice advanced biosecurity measures when in contact with wild birds. Such measures can be found by following this link:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/2015/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf

Please report sick wild birds in Oklahoma to USDA Wildlife Services at 405-521-4039. Death or illness in domestic poultry species should be reported to the ODAFF Animal Industry Division at 405-522-6141.

04/19/2021

Please get educated a follow the law!

Our poor game wardens. Every spring in Oklahoma they scramble to keep up with regular duties that already keep them busy, and then they have to track down all the wild orphans reported to them as being illegally kept, sold, adopted out, etc. Social media has made this a constant for them as people are reported daily for sharing photos or advertising these animals. We are getting so many messages to do something about it. The only thing we can advise is for them to turn people in and let law enforcement handle it.

The law is very clear here;

In Oklahoma it is illegal to have possession of any wild born native species without a wildlife rehabilitation permit. The permits are issued by the State after an inspection of the property and housing where the animals are kept and when the person named on the permit has provided all the necessary credentials so the wardens know this person is intending to rehab for release, has basic knowledge of wildlife rehab, doesn't put the animals or any people in harms way with housing and has access to veterinary support for wildlife.

If an applicant is already holding wildlife illegally, it is an automatic decline of their permit. Anyone who loses their permit for violations cannot reapply for 3 years.

Animals can move from one permitted rehabber to another, but cannot go to anyone without a permit except a veterinarian. The permit only covers the property described on the application and the person named is responsible for the animals they intake. Non commercial breeders permits do not allow permit holders to take wild born animals, even of the same species listed on their permits. Their animals must be papered and bred in captivity from other animals bred in captivity and reported to the state.

Our wildlife NEED the help, but do it LEGALLY and properly in order to truly help and keep the animals safe. Confiscations often result in euthanasia of imprinted illegally kept wildlife. You aren't helping these animals even if you save a life. Make a choice to help, educate yourself on wildlife rehabilitation, ensure you can commit to it, prepare your space for them and GET A PERMIT to protect yourself and the animals you work so hard to save. I am here to help anyone who wants to learn. Just call us to come volunteer!

Annette

06/06/2019

This is happening way to much!! PLEASE PLEASE find a wildlife rehabor!!

Occasionally, it’s necessary to take a break from the fun and cute posts to have a more serious conversation. Now is one of those times.

We received this fawn recently from some members of the public who had been caring for him for almost three weeks. After receiving the wrong formula for so long, he was thin, malnourished, and suffering from aspirational pneumonia. He was weak and each breath took tremendous effort. Our Fawn Team did everything they could to save him, including subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics, gavage feeding a nutritional supplement, and placing him in our oxygen chamber. Unfortunately, it was not enough and he didn’t make it through his first night with us. On top of being heart broken, our Fawn Team members were frustrated. This fawn could have been saved if he had been brought to us right away, not nearly three weeks later.

This is why we try so hard to stress the importance of not feeding the wildlife that’s found before it gets brought to us. The wrong food can do far more damage than a hungry stomach. We know that all of our rescuers do everything out of love for the wildlife they have found, we just hope that they can love them enough to do what’s best for the animal and get it to a licensed wildlife rehabber right away. Not in a few days or weeks when it’s more convenient. Right away.

05/31/2019

Do you want to help wildlife?
Then let’s do it the right way! Contact a trained wildlife rehabor. They know how to care for wildlife.

05/21/2019

Very important information!!

People come across baby birds that have fallen out of nests in the spring. We have been told that touching them will cause the mothers to not want them. That is a LIE! Please watch this video and be informed on how to save baby birds. We NEED them to eat bugs!

Here we explain how to make a secondary nest, or how to get a nest back into a tree, using a small basket.

05/07/2019

The State Veterinarian with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has issued an order to stop all movement of elk and deer within the state until May 24. In the case of deer and elk fawns, the order prohibits anyone from taking these animals to a wildlife rehabilitation facility for any reason.

People are more likely to encounter young wildlife, such as this fawn in the grass, during spring and early summer. Experts say it's best to resist the urge to intervene. Because of a special order until at least May 24, any movement of a deer or elk is prohibited in Oklahoma. (James Linn/Reader's P...

04/18/2019

Please don’t!! Bunnies, ducks and chicks deserve better.

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03/10/2019

Want to help wildlife? READ!

03/06/2019

Baby season is upon us!