Michigan Coyote Hunting – Lawmakers Slam ‘Unscientific’ Ban With New Bills

Michigan lawmakers are proposing bills to restore year-round coyote hunting, challenging the NRC’s seasonal ban. They argue this is necessary for population control, livestock protection, and based on concerns regarding rapid coyote reproduction rates.

Lawmakers seek to reinstate year-round Michigan coyote hunting to manage population growth and protect livestock, calling NRC’s seasonal ban scientifically unfounded. Critics say the ban lacks scientific backing.

Legislation Targets NRC’s Seasonal Ban on Coyote Hunting

Two Republican lawmakers have introduced bills to reverse a Natural Resources Commission (NRC) order that shortened Michigan’s coyote hunting season. The legislation seeks to restore the year-round hunting schedule that was in place prior to NRC Order 1 of 2024, which suspended coyote hunting from April 15 through July 15.

Sen. Michele Hoitenga of Manton and Rep. Parker Fairbairn of Harbor Springs jointly announced the effort through Senate Bill 366 and House Bill 4554, claiming the commission’s decision was not grounded in science.

“The NRC’s decision to shorten the coyote hunting season lacks a foundation in scientific evidence,” Hoitenga said in the June 5 press release. “Coyotes reproduce at staggering rates, spread disease, and threaten both livestock and pets. Without active hunting, the consequences could be severe.”

Coyotes in All 83 Counties: Lawmakers Cite Overpopulation, Nuisance Reports

Coyotes are not new to Michigan. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, coyotes inhabit every one of the state’s 83 counties. Urban sightings have increased in recent years, especially in Southeast Michigan communities like Ann Arbor, Livonia, and Flint.

Rep. Fairbairn called the species a widespread nuisance. “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,” he said.

Wildlife biologists estimate that a single female coyote can produce up to 100 pups over her lifetime. Typical litters range from 4 to 12 pups per season, contributing to rapid population expansion if unchecked.

State Wildlife Officials Defend Seasonal Pause for Ecological Balance

The NRC’s 2024 order, passed in March of that year, was aimed at reducing pressure on the species during the critical spring birthing season. Advocates of the pause argued it would allow young coyotes to mature without disruption, helping maintain ecological balance.

While the NRC has not issued a new statement regarding the proposed reversal bills, its initial justification for the Michigan coyote hunting seasonal restriction was partially based on public input and ethical hunting practices rather than quantitative population modeling.

Expert Opinions Split on Effectiveness of Year-Round Michigan Coyote Hunting

The scientific community remains divided on the role of hunting in coyote population control. According to the National Wildlife Research Center, lethal control may result in short-term population reductions but can trigger compensatory reproduction, where disrupted social structures lead to larger litters and increased pup survival rates.

Dr. Roland Kays, a zoologist at North Carolina State University who has extensively studied urban and rural coyote populations, has emphasized that coyotes are highly adaptable and often thrive despite hunting efforts. In a 2021 interview with North Carolina Health News, Kays said, “Coyotes are amazingly resilient. Even when targeted, they bounce back fast. Hunting often doesn’t make a dent unless it’s coordinated and very intense.”

Kays has also co-authored studies suggesting that non-lethal management, public education, and preserving natural predator-prey dynamics may be more effective long-term strategies than year-round hunting [source: North Carolina Health News, 2021].

What Comes Next in Lansing and Across the State

Both bills have been referred to their respective chambers’ committees. If passed, they would override the NRC’s seasonal restriction for Michigan coyote hunting and reinstate year-round hunting across the state.

The issue taps into broader debates around predator management, hunting ethics, and rural-urban tensions. Rural landowners often favor more aggressive control measures to protect livestock, while conservation groups urge science-based policies.

Michigan residents and hunters alike will likely have strong opinions as the legislation moves through Lansing. Public hearings may be announced later this summer.

Related Michigan News and Broader Wildlife Policy Trends

Similar legislative battles over predator control are playing out in other states. For instance, Wisconsin and Montana have seen proposals to expand hunting rights for wolves and coyotes in response to livestock losses and community complaints.

In Michigan, the coyote issue may preview upcoming debates over wildlife governance, especially as lawmakers seek to balance tradition, public safety, and ecological integrity.

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