Iowa hunters turning attention to the wily coyote

Although its season never closes, ‘yotes are hunted most often during the winter. The number of Iowa coyote hunters and harvest has been at a record level for two of the past three years, thanks in part to predator hunting shows on TV and because coyote fur has held its value as most other pelt prices have declined.

“Coyote pelts go for anywhere from $15-$25 per pelt depending on the quality and Iowa’s pelts are considered average. The top pelts come from the Dakotas and Montana and Alberta, Canada,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Coyote fur is used as trim for hoods and coats in foreign markets.

The coyote population is distributed fairly well across the state with the highest population in western Iowa. Coyotes are habitat generalists and can be found near large brushpiles, timber and grass fields, and in particular, fields with switchgrass.

Hunters prefer a fresh layer of snow for tracking and the white background makes coyotes easier to see from a long distance. Wind is critical to coyote hunters because it impacts where and how they set up for calling and pursuing coyotes as coyotes have a keen nose and are evasive, cautious animals. Wearing snow colored camo is often effective to avoid detection.

Coyote hunters have fewer rules to follow. Hunters can use predator calls, hunt day or night, use high powered rifles, may hunt over bait and use groups of hunters and or hounds to round them up. There is no bag limit and coyotes can be hunted on a hunting or furharvester license.

“We receive complaints from the public about coyotes’ impact on young deer, turkeys and rabbits, harass pets, and farmers’ loss of livestock. So in that respect, hunters provide an important service by hunting coyotes,” Evelsizer said.

Coyote trapping is allowed, but it must be done during the trapping season.