© Columbia Daily Tribune
The man -- who asked officials not to disclose his identity -- was hunting for deer Tuesday at Franklin Island Conservation Area when the animal came into range.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports coyotes are in season and the man had a permit, so he shot what he thought was a state-record coyote.
But when it weighed 81 pounds -- seven pounds more than the national record -- a Cooper County conservation agent ordered it taken to a regional office for testing.
Experts say the animal could be a wolf, a large coyote or a hybrid animal with characteristics of both.
...from a head on angle is not enough to show anything more than - what to me looks like a coyote. His lifeless body cuts quite a sad scene.
Much Peace...