Iowa Hunters Ready To Trade Deer For Iowa's Top Predator

DES MOINES, IA — Iowa’s deer hunting season ends Wednesday, but state officials say that's the time many hunters will turn their attention to coyotes — the state's top predator. As many as 15,000 Iowans will hunt the animals this season, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports.

Coyote hunting is allowed year-round in the state and the number of coyote hunters and harvest have been at a record level for four of the past five years, the DNR says. The agency believes the reason is twofold: More predator hunting shows and the value of coyote pelts, which have remained steady while other pelt prices have lost value.

“Coyote pelts go for anywhere from $15 to $30 per pelt, depending on the quality, and Iowa’s pelts are considered average,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "Last year’s average price was $17. The top pelts come from the Dakotas, Montana, and Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada."

Coyote fur is used mainly as trim for hoods and coats in foreign markets.

Coyote population is distributed fairly well across the state with the highest population in western Iowa, DNR officials said. Coyotes often are found near large brush piles, timber and grass fields. In winter, hunters can track them in the snow from a distance without alerting the coyotes.

The state has no bag limit on coyotes, which can be hunted on a hunting or furharvester license.

"Hunters provide an important service by hunting coyotes,” Evelsizer said, because the DNR receives numerous complaints from the public about coyotes’ impact on young deer, turkeys and rabbits and that they harass pets and kill livestock. “That being said, they’re a very wary game animal worthy of respect.

"We don’t allow the use of artificial light for night hunting on purpose, because we encourage fair chase and it could increase the incentive to misuse the technology to poach deer and other wildlife.”

Hunters also cannot pursue coyotes using a snowmobile or aircraft.

Watch for Wolves

Coyote hunters need to be sure when they are hunting that the target they are pursuing is a coyote and not a dog or wolf, DNR officials warn.

"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 three years,” Evilsizer said. They likely came from Wisconsin or Minnesota and were wandering through Iowa.

“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," he added. "Wolves are two to three times the size of a coyote. If what you see is larger than the average coyote, it is definitely worth another look before pulling the trigger."

Coyotes typically weigh 25 to 40 pounds, while wolves typically weigh 70 to 110 pounds. There are other characteristics to help determine the identity of the canine:

• Coyotes have a pointed snout
• Coyotes' ears are larger proportionally in to their body
• Wolves are taller than coyotes and have long front legs
• Wolves have a heavier, squarer frame

Find more detailed information on coyote and wolf characteristics at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting and scroll to the bottom then click on Iowa’s Occasional Wildlife Visitors.

Photo courtesy of Iowa Department of Natural Resources