Michigan Natural Resources Commission punts on coyote decision again
- At the Natural Resources Commission meeting on Thursday, Commissioner John Walters added an amendment to extend the coyote hunting season to the agenda, but the commission did not publicly discuss or vote on it
- The NRC shortened the season in March 2024, prompting lawsuits and new bills to restore year-round hunting
- A judge ruled earlier this month that the NRC’s decision was legally sound
Two minutes into the Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting on Thursday, Commissioner John Walters added to the agenda a closed session discussion and an amendment to extend the coyote hunting season.
Hours later, after the closed-door talks, the commission did not publicly discuss or vote on the issue.
“I want to make sure that it stays on the agenda for the future until we are prepared to vote,” Walters explained.
The commission has pushed a vote on extending the coyote season down the line since the amendment was first introduced in March.
The long and short
The topic is controversial and has seen a lot of back and forth. In 2016, the Natural Resources Commission, which regulates hunting and fishing, voted to extend the coyote hunting season to year-round. Then, in March 2024, commissioners voted to prohibit coyote hunting between April 16 and July 14, decreasing the season by three months, to prevent hunting when coyote pups are dependent on their mothers.
A January 2024 memo from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to the commission said that, between 2016 and 2020, the year-round coyote season did not increase the estimated number of coyotes killed by hunting.
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“However, there is concern about social perception and future loss of management tools if the open season continues to allow coyotes to be taken when there are dependent young present,” the memo stated.
Two hunting advocacy groups, Michigan United Conservation Clubs and Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, sued the commission, saying its decision to limit the coyote hunting season was not based on science.
A Michigan circuit court judge ruled on that lawsuit on June 3, saying the commission’s decision was based on science and was legally sound.
Days later, on June 5, bills to allow year-round coyote hunting, House Bill 4554 and Senate Bill 366, were introduced in the Michigan Legislature.
“The bottom line is that coyotes are able to reproduce at staggering rates, easily spread disease in the wild and are a threat to livestock and pets. Actively hunting coyotes helps keep numbers down to manageable levels,” bill sponsor state Sen. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, said in a news release.
The Natural Resource Commission’s amendment to extend the coyote hunting season was first introduced in March. After three months of not discussing or voting on it, the commission opted during its May meeting to postpone it indefinitely.
Public perception
At the Thursday Natural Resources Commission meeting, a few public commenters weighed in on the length of the coyote hunting season when they thought the commission would vote on it.
“This is settled science at this point. The courts have validated that,” said Mitchell Nelson, Michigan state director of Humane World for Animals.
Even if the commission were caving to social pressure as opponents had claimed, “I don’t know that that’s such a bad thing, if that’s true, that this body is considering what the public might want when it comes to these decisions,” Nelson said.
Bob Jones, president of the Michigan Bow Hunters, said his group is “fully in favor” of restoring the year-round coyote hunting season.
“I think it’s clear that the deer, especially in the (Upper Peninsula), could use the help with the extended season. There was no negative biological impact during the time that the season was in existence for a full year,” he said.
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