Conservation group sues Michigan commission over shortened coyote hunting season

Lansing — Michigan United Conservation Clubs, one of the largest conservation organizations in the U.S., has filed a legal challenge of a recent decision by Michigan's Natural Resources Commission to trim three months off the state's coyote hunting season.

The commission last month voted 4-2 to change the state's coyote hunting season from year round to July 15 through April 15, meaning there will be a three-month pause to coyote hunting starting April 16.

The Michigan United Conservation Clubs, an advocacy group for hunters and trappers, argued that the March 14 decision by the commission was based on political and social pressures and was not "grounded in science." The MUCC filed a claim of appeal Thursday in Ingham County Circuit Court, while the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association filed a similar complaint in Mackinac County Circuit Court.

“The record is unambiguous: The commission has not heard or cited any scientific literature or rationale justifying the closure," the conservation clubs' CEO, Amy Trotter, said in a statement. “Meanwhile, there were hours of public testimony on the practical benefits of coyote hunting during the spring season, while being reinforced with cited literature.”

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources declined to comment on the pending litigation.

The decision to shorten the coyote hunting season was based in part on a memorandum submitted by the Department of Natural Resources to the bipartisan, governor-appointed Natural Resources Commission recommending a nine-month season.

The memo notes that Michigan adopted a full-year coyote hunting season in 2016, and from 2016-2020 did not experience an uptick in coyote harvests during that time. But the year-round hunting period, the department argued, prompted concerns "about social perception and future loss of management tools" if hunters are able to kill coyote while dependent young are present.

The nine-month season would halt hunting "while female coyotes have dependent young" and would include exceptions if a coyote is doing damage on private property or if a coyote is present on private property and damage is imminent.

The department said the suggested change was based in part on feedback from "trapping and hound hunting groups."

But Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association expressed firm opposition to the plan in a statement Thursday.

“The stance taken with litigation clearly shows the trappers and predator callers of Michigan are firmly united behind the principles of science-based management,” said Mark Spencer, president of the association. “Our groups present a united front to ensure our outdoor heritage is protected and grounded in science for generations to come.”

Under Proposal G in 1996, voters gave the Natural Resources Commission authority to regulate the taking of game in Michigan but specified that those decisions had to be based on "principles of sound scientific management," Trotter said. Those principles weren't followed in the March decision to limit coyote season, she said, noting evidence showed the year-round season had not decreased populations at all.

"We want to make sure those decisions are based on good, biological information," Trotter said. "We don’t feel they provided any evidence as to why the coyote season needed to be shortened.”

eleblanc@detroitnews.com