Humane Group Sues Michigan Over Year-Round coyote Hunting
Updated Feb. 4,2026,7:33 a.m. ET
Lansing, MI – Humane World for Animals, a national animal protection institution, filed a lawsuit Tuesday, Feb. 3, against the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) challenging its recent decision to allow year-round coyote hunting.The suit, filed in Ingham County Circuit Court, alleges the NRC’s Jan. 14 vote enabling unrestricted coyote hunting on both public and private lands is ecologically unsound and inhumane.
The primary concern raised by Humane World for Animals centers on the timing of the hunting season. allowing hunting throughout the year, especially during spring, coincides with coyote breeding and pupping season. This period sees coyotes giving birth and actively raising their young in dens, making them especially vulnerable.
“this decision disregards the critical role coyotes play in Michigan’s ecosystem and demonstrates a shocking disregard for animal welfare,” stated a representative from Humane World for Animals. “Permitting unlimited coyote hunting year-round disrupts family structures and can have cascading negative effects on the environment.”
The lawsuit argues that the NRC failed to adequately consider the ecological impact of removing coyotes indiscriminately. Coyotes are a keystone species,playing a vital role in regulating prey populations and maintaining biodiversity. Their removal can lead to imbalances in the ecosystem, potentially increasing populations of other animals like deer, which could result in increased agricultural damage and vehicle collisions.
Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, is seeking a court order to overturn the NRC’s decision and reinstate seasonal restrictions on coyote hunting. The organization believes a more balanced and scientifically informed approach to coyote management is necessary to protect both the animals and the integrity of Michigan’s natural resources.
The NRC has not yet issued a formal response to the lawsuit. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.