Know the Laws
Coyote hunting and trapping seasons are available statewide. Details on
Coyot
season dates and bag limits can be found in the current Fur Harvester Digest,
found online at [Link]/Trapping. If problems exist outside regular
seasons, coyotes can be killed without a hunting license on private land by
the landowner or a designee if the coyote is doing or about to do damage to
private property, pets, livestock, or humans. Before beginning any hunting or
trapping activities, please check with local ordinances to determine if these
activities are allowed in your area. For safety, be sure to adhere to the safety Michigan Coyote
zones around any homes or buildings.
If hunting or trapping are allowable in your area but you do not wish to take
part in these activities yourself, trappers from the Michigan Trappers and
Predator Callers Association may be able to help. You can learn more about
their landowner assistance program at [Link].
In many urban areas, hunting or trapping may not be allowed for certain
reasons. In this case, specially permitted nuisance control companies can be
hired to assist landowners in the safe removal of problem animals. A list of
companies are available at [Link]/Wildlife.
Learn more about Michigan’s coyotes and how to prevent conflicts by visiting
[Link]/Wildlife
DNR Offices
Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
or visit us online at [Link]/DNR.
Baraga Gaylord Norway
427 US-41 North 1732 W. M-32 520 W. US-Hwy 2
Baraga, MI 49908 Gaylord, MI 49735 Norway, MI 49870
906-353-6651 989-732-3541 906-563-9247
Bay City Lansing Plainwell
3580 State Park Drive 4166 Legacy Parkway 621 N. 10th St.
Bay City, MI 48706 Lansing, MI 48911 Plainwell, MI 49080
989-684-9141 517-284-4720 269-685-6851
Cadillac Marquette Roscommon
8015 Mackinaw Trail 1990 US-41 South I-75 & M-18 South,
Cadillac, MI 49601 Marquette, MI 49855 8717 N. Roscommon Rd.
231-775-9727 906-228-6561 Roscommon, MI 48653
989-275-5151
Crystal Falls Naubinway
1420 W. US-2 PO Box 287 Sault Ste. Marie
Crystal Falls, MI 49920 W11569 US 2E. P.O. Box 798
906-875-6622 Naubinway, MI 49762 4131 S. M-129 Hwy.
906-477-6048 Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Detroit Metro
1801 Atwater St. Newberry Traverse City
Detroit, MI 48207 5100 M-123 2122 South M-37
313-396-6890 Newberry, MI 49868 Traverse City, MI 49685
906-293-5131 231-922-5280
Escanaba
6833 US-2 41 & M-35
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-293-5131
Michigan DNR Wildlife Division • 517-284-WILD (9453)
Species
Canis latrans
Coyotes
A wild canine in the family Canidae
Life Span
6-8 years in the wild.
Home Range
In urban areas, averages 2-5 sq. miles.
Coyotes are incredibly
smart and adaptable
critters that have learned
S afe to enjoy from
a distance.
In more rural areas, home range size may be
larger, averaging 8 to 12 square miles. The size
to survive in just about
any habitat – including
human created habitats.
M ake noise if they are
too close.
A
depends on the food and cover available There are simple ways for
as well as the number of other coyotes ccompany pets
you to be coyote SMART.
in the area. outside.
Just remember….
R
emove bird feeders
Litter Size - these attract small
In Michigan coyotes have: birds and mammals -
4-7pups
a coyote’s natural food!
T
ake in the trash, pet
foods and other
possible attractants.
Vocalizations
People and Coyotes Preventing Conflicts
• Use several types of • Considered the most with Coyotes at Home
vocalizations including: vocal of all North
Can Coexist!
howls, yelps, and other American mammals People are most likely to see and Coyotes are native
sounds similar to what hear coyotes during their breeding to North America
domestic dogs make period, which typically occurs January and can be found
through March. If there is a den nearby, throughout Michigan.
people may also see the adults throughout They have naturally
the summer as they care for their pups. expanded their range.
Appearance As fall approaches, pups begin dispersing
from the den site to establish home ranges of Coyotes are skilled
their own. These young dispersing animals are hunters and provide
• Generally greyish • Fur is dense
sometimes more visible. Coyotes are active day and people with free pest
brown with white fur and thick, often control by keeping populations
on the throat and belly, giving them a night; however, peaks in activity occur at sunrise and
of mice and rats in check!
(individual colors and larger appearance sunset.
patterns may vary) In urban or suburban areas, coyotes will take Coyotes are valued
advantage of the small mammals and birds that bird by many people
feeders and gardens often attract. They may even throughout Michigan
Size eat some of the fruits and veggies too. Coyotes are as a part of the
opportunistic feeders and have a keen sense of smell. ecosystem, a predator, and
a recreational opportunity.
Garbage or pet food that is left out overnight may
also draw their attention. If there are coyotes in the Coyotes are shy
Gray Wolf: 50 – 100lbs
area, eliminating these potential food sources may creatures, avoiding
make the area less appealing to them. people whenever
Coyote: 25 – 45lbs possible. However, they are
For your safety, NEVER intentionally feed or try to
tame coyotes -- it is in your and the coyote’s best also naturally curious and may
Red Fox: 7 – 30lbs venture into an area if they smell
interest! It is critical that they retain their natural fear
something that might be a meal.
of people.
Keep small pets indoors, or accompany them outside Coyotes are an incredibly
and keep them on a leash. adaptable animal and have
learned how to survive in just
Coyotes may resemble a medium-sized German Shepard If you see a coyote in your area, try to scare it off by about every environment,
yelling, clapping or making other loud noises. Most including urban areas.
coyotes are naturally afraid of people and will leave if
you frighten them.
Remember, coyotes, like any wild animal, can act
unpredictably and should be treated with respect and
enjoyed from a distance.
