Why It Matters: After opening opportunities for nighttime hunting for coyotes in 2020, the Missouri Conservation Commission and Missouri Department of Conservation are weighing an expanded season to take advantage of the predator population control benefits associated with hunting, while also providing increased opportunities for coyote hunters. These opportunities highlight the mutual benefits that state wildlife managers and sportsmen and women receive as it relates to our time-honored outdoor traditions.
Highlights:
- After establishing a limited nighttime hunting season for coyotes in 2020, the Missouri Department of Conservation recently proposed a regulatory update expanding the season.
- Currently, nighttime hunting for coyotes can take place during the months of February and March while the proposed change would extend the season from January through September, except during spring turkey season.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted comments in support of this proposed change during last month’s public comment period.
Last month, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Conservation Commission concluded a public comment period for several proposed regulatory changes. Among the proposals was an effort to extend the state’s current nighttime coyote hunting season, moving the start date into the month of January while extending its length through September. This is a significant increase from the state’s current 2-month season that was created in 2020.
As was the case during the 2020 proposal period, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation submitted a letter of support for the proposal, highlighting the importance of hunting and trapping in the management of coyote populations in the state. CSF also applauded the increased opportunity that this expanded season would provide for sportsmen and women while recognizing MDC’s forethought in including a carveout in the season to avoid overlap with spring turkey hunting.
CSF will continue to monitor this, and other proposals as they work their way through the regulatory process.
