An expected 15,000 Iowa hunters turn their attention to pursuing the state’s top predator after January 10. That’s when most of Iowa’s hunting seasons close, and coyote hunting begins in earnest.
Although its season never closes, coyotes are most often hunted during winter. The number of Iowa coyote hunters and harvest has been at a record level for two of the past three years, attributed in part to predator hunting television shows and because coyote fur has held its value.
“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,” according to Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer biologist with the 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 brush piles, timber and grass fields, and in particular, fields with switchgrass.
Coyote 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 fur harvester license.
“We receive complaints from the public about coyotes’ impact on young deer, turkeys and rabbits, pets, and farmers’ loss of livestock. 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.
Most coyote hunting takes place on private land, and occasionally hunters will cross property boundaries which lead to trespassing complaints. Hunters cannot pursue coyotes using a snowmobile, aircraft or with the aid of artificial light.
Coyote hunters need to be aware of the possibility, however remote, that the animal they see through the scope is not a coyote but a wolf passing through the state.
“We’ve had a slight increase in the number of reported wolf sightings over the years, and had four wolves shot by coyote hunters during the last two years. They were likely members of the Great lakes population from Wisconsin or Minnesota that were wandering through,” he said.
Wolves are protected in Iowa and there is no open season. Shooting a wolf has the potential to bring state and or federal fines.
“Hunters want to do the right thing. One of the first rules in safe hunting practices is to positively identify your target and what is behind your target before taking a shot. Wolves are two to three times the size of a coyote. If what you see is larger than the average coyote, don’t shoot. It’s definitely worth another look before pulling the trigger,” Evelsizer said.
Other than the obvious size difference – coyotes weigh 25-40 pounds, while wolves typically weigh 70-110 pounds – there are other characteristics to help determine the identity of the canine. Coyotes have a pointed snout and their ears are larger proportionally to their body. Wolves are taller than coyotes and have long front legs and a heavier, squarer frame.
Find more detailed information on coyote and wolf characteristics online.