St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

State Senator Michele Hoitenga and Representative Parker Fairbairn have introduced new legislation aimed at reinstating year-round coyote hunting in Michigan. This move comes after the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) decided in March 2024 to restrict hunting from April 15 to July 15.

Hoitenga criticized the NRC's decision, stating, "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." She emphasized that coyotes reproduce rapidly, can spread diseases, and pose threats to livestock and pets. "Actively hunting coyotes helps keep numbers down to manageable levels. Otherwise, the results will be devastating," she added.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 366 and House Bill 4554, seeks to allow coyote hunting throughout the year once again. Fairbairn noted that coyotes are prevalent across all of Michigan's 83 counties and often regarded as a nuisance due to their predation on pets and livestock. He stated, "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."

Coyotes are known for their high reproductive rates; a single female can produce over 100 pups during her lifetime with litters ranging from four to twelve pups.