Sportsmen’s Alliance defends Michigan coyote season in Ingham County court

The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and Safari Club International filed a joint amicus brief in Ingham County Circuit Court defending Michigan’s year‑round coyote management season against a legal challenge by Humane World for Animals.

The brief cites USDA reports that coyotes caused 40.5% of predator‑caused cattle deaths and 53.1% of predator‑caused calf deaths in 2015, and 54.3% and 63.7% of predator‑caused sheep and lamb losses in 2015, underscoring the need for state management authority.

In 2016, the July 15 to April 15 coyote season was changed to a year‑round season; the 2024 reinstatement and 2025 lawsuit, and the 2026 amendment authorized a hunting and trapping season from October 15 to March 1 and a management season from March 2 to October 14.

Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation’s litigation counsel Michael Jean said the lawsuit is misplaced and that reducing the total population was not the commission’s goal in establishing the new seasons, and the organization will continue to monitor this matter and encourage members and donors to support the legal defense fund.

Read the full story at sportsmensalliance.org.