Wolf or coyote?

[9.3mauser]

So I showed these pics to some coworkers, and started a debate about whether this is a wolf, coyote, or something in between.

Normally we only find coyotes in my area, but occasionally the odd Eastern wolf has filtered down from Algonquin. I haven't heard any howling of wolves to suggest this is something other than a very large coyote. But it is BIG!

Some have opined that this is a coy-wolf or coy-dog hybrid, but they have limited outdoor experience so I don't lend a lot of weight to their opinions.

I threw in a couple of deer pics to give a sense of scale. Upper is a fawn, lower is a normal, but not overly large doe.

 

[Superbrad]

Coyote..... Decent size but not overly huge.... Looks "pure" to me as well....

 

[Cleftwynd]

Wolf.

 

[bearkilr]

Wolf

 

[frigpig]

That is 100% wolf. Take a look at the muzzle. It's ears are also way too small to be a yote.

I think the confusion lies in the animals posture in the picture. It has yote "posture" because it's leaning down to smell.

 

[frigpig]

Here is a really good muzzle profile comparison.

 

[Superbrad]

That is 100% wolf. Take a look at the muzzle. It's ears are also way too small to be a yote.

I think the confusion lies in the animals posture in the picture. It has yote "posture" because it's leaning down to smell.

That's a good point..... That was the first thing that made me think yote.... It has that "mousing" posture.....

My hunt camp is only about an hour from the OP, I have taken a couple of wolves there, so it's a definite possibility....

 

[Cleftwynd]

That is 100% wolf. Take a look at the muzzle. It's ears are also way too small to be a yote.

I think the confusion lies in the animals posture in the picture. It has yote "posture" because it's leaning down to smell.

Yup, the snout, ears, size, color, legs, ears, etc.... It's a wolf 100%

 

[Superbrad]

Yup, the snout, ears, size, color, legs, ears, etc.... It's a wolf 100%

I actually thought the colour leaned more towards yote....

 

[H4831]

Wolf.
But no one mentioned the other sure sign of it being a wolf, the tail hanging down!

 

[kawicrash]

Wolf.
But no one mentioned the other sure sign of it being a wolf, the tail hanging down!

Where would a Coyote usually have it's tail?
I say Wolf.

 

[doublelung]

I say wolf due to the muzzle and ears.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Doh a Deer two female deer...
Oh the Wolf pic...yeah thats it wolf.
Rob

 

[CZ_Brno]

There are several subspecies. I believe in your picture it's an Eastern Wolf.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canis_lupus_subspecies

I'm used to seeing the Gray Wolf in Manitoba. Or is it it's own subspecies, the Manitoba Wolf?
http://animals.mom.me/wolves-manitoba-5765.html

 

[BigUglyMan]

100% Lobo.

 

[Homesteader]

My bad, I opened this up on the top of page 2 and voted Coyote After realizing I wasn't on page 1. First pic from OP is definitely a wolf.

 

[Superbrad]

After further review..... I still think it's a yote..... Looks similar to many I have shot in the area...... Maybe a hybrid?..... At best, it's a small grey....

 

[O d gout]

Wolf!

 

[Cleftwynd]

After further review..... I still think it's a yote..... Looks similar to many I have shot in the area...... Maybe a hybrid?..... At best, it's a small grey....

Let's hope that when yotes are back on the small game license, but tags still required for wolves, you don't see too many CO's lol.

I bet the one in the pic is over 100 lbs.

 

[Superbrad]

Let's hope that when yotes are back on the small game license, but tags still required for wolves, you don't see too many CO's lol.

Yotes and wolves are on my small game tag here.....