Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
All four graphs, which contain annual results of red fox and coyote observations, show an increase in coyotes seen per hour in each physiographic region since the early to mid-1960's. The Red River Valley did not start showing an increase in coyotes until the mid-1970's.
Over time we've seen increasing distribution of coyotes relative to red fox - first in the Missouri Slope, followed by the Missouri Coteau and Drift Prairie and finally in the Red River Valley. It appears that increasing coyote distribution is a phenomenon that occurred (and is probably still occurring) mainly from west to east through the state. Other information indicates both red fox and coyotes likely occur in every county in the state.