DNR Shortens Coyote Season, Adds New Management Hunt
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has shortened the regular coyote hunting and trapping season, but has added a new management hunt.
Michigan Coyote Hunting and Trapping Season
If you are a small game or deer hunter, one of the most important hunting seasons that can have a direct effect on your hunting is coyote season. Coyotes have a diverse diet of small mammals (rabbits, rodents, deer fawns), insects, fruits, berries, birds, reptiles, and dead animals.
Michiganders may be surprised at how many coyotes live in urban areas. Coyotes are attracted to easy food sources like pet food, unsecured trash, fallen garden produce, and sometimes people's pets.
Coyote hunters help small game and deer hunters by lowering the number of animals to help other game thrive. Coyotes in the Lower Peninsula have no natural predators, leaving their population largely unchecked. This is why you hardly ever see or hear a pheasant or rabbits when small game hunting. Many deer fawns are killed each year by coyotes.
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Traditionally, Michigan's coyote hunting and trapping season was July 15 through April 15, with a temporary closure from April 16 to July 15. The DNR have put a new season in place for 2026, which should excite hunters across the state, including those in the Upper Peninsula.
DNR Revises Coyote Hunt: Shorter Season, New Management Option
The DNR has shortened the regular coyote hunting and trapping season, and have created an all new management hunt that over time should improve small game and deer hunting in Michigan.
According to a Wildlife Conservation Order, the DNR has the regular coyote hunting and trapping season shortened to October 15 to March 1 with no hunting with dogs from November 15 through 30.
The most exciting news is, the DNR has created a coyote management season that is March 2 through October 14 with no hunting with dogs from April 16 through July 7. This is great news for all hunters who all should take advantage of the new seasons to improve hunting while managing the population of coyotes better in Michigan.
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