LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Michele Hoitenga and Rep. Parker Fairbairn have introduced legislation to restore Michigan’s year-round coyote hunting season after the Natural Resource Commission voted in March 2024 to close off hunting between April 15 to July 15.
“The NRC’s decision to shorten the coyote hunting season lacks a foundation in scientific evidence and appears to be driven more by subjective and emotional considerations,” said Hoitenga, R-Manton. “The bottom line is that coyotes are able to reproduce at staggering rates, easily spread disease in the wild and are a threat to livestock and pets. Actively hunting coyotes helps keep numbers down to manageable levels. Otherwise, the results will be devastating.”
The lawmakers say their legislation, Senate Bill 366 and House Bill 4554, would again allow for coyote hunting in Michigan all year long.
“Coyotes are abundant in all 83 Michigan counties and are often considered by many to be a nuisance species due to their tendency to prey on pets and livestock,” said Fairbairn, R-Habor Springs. “Restoring the year-round open season that existed prior to NRC Order 1 of 2024 is a commonsense approach to coyote population management that we can all agree on.”
It is estimated that a single female coyote is able to give birth to more than 100 pups in her lifetime as regular litters can range from four to 12 new coyotes.
