LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Michele Hoitenga and Rep. Parker Fairbairn on Thursday acknowledged the Michigan Natural Resources Commission’s (NRC) commitment to allow coyote hunting year-round, while stressing the need for the commission to follow through with permanent policy changes.
“The Natural Resources Commission’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but it was not the final decision we were hoping for,” said Hoitenga, R-Manton. “Its original repeal lacked any scientific basis and essentially opened the floodgates for coyotes — which can reproduce at an extremely fast rate — to wreak havoc on farmers and landowners, spread disease and harm the natural balance across Northern Michigan and throughout the state.
“It is our responsibility to hold the NRC to its word and ensure it follows through.”
Hoitenga and Fairbairn previously introduced Senate Bill 366 and House Bill 4554 to allow for year-round coyote hunting and override a 2024 NRC decision to close off the season between April 15 and July 15 each year.
“Though coyotes are a natural part of Michigan’s ecosystem, they proliferate incredibly quickly, and their numbers need to be aggressively managed to keep them from negatively impacting deer, turkey, hare, rabbit and other game and non-game species throughout the state, not to mention predation of pets and livestock,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “Returning to a true year-round season is the right thing to do, and now we need the Natural Resources Commission to listen to our call and reverse its previous action in full.”
Coyotes are abundant in all 83 Michigan counties. It is estimated that a single female coyote is able to give birth to more than 100 pups in her lifetime, with regular litters ranging from four to 12 new coyotes.