Extend coyote general open season to August 15
Last updated on January 12, 2026The public is invited to comment on the proposed hunting regulation described below.
Status: Proposed
Region: Region 7A, Omineca
Management unit (MU): 7-02 to 7-18, 7-23 to 7-30, 7-37 to 7-41
Regulation type: Hunting
Species: Coyote
Closing date: February 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT
Current regulation:
Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis (PDF, 13MB) page 57:
|
Species |
MU |
Season dates |
Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Coyote |
7-2 to 7-18, 7-23 to -30, 7-37 to 7-41 |
September 1 to March 31 |
No bag limit |
Proposed regulation:
Extend the coyote general open season to August 15:
|
Species |
MU |
Season dates |
Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Coyote |
7-2 to 7-18, 7-23 to -30, 7-37 to 7-41 |
Aaugust 15 to March 31 |
No bag limit |
Rationale:
The objective of this proposal is to increase hunter opportunity for coyotes to overlap with the fall black bear season that starts on August 15.
This submission would move the season to the earliest in the province, with other regions having September coyote seasons. The exception is the trapping season in Region 7B where there is no closed trapping season in 7-19 to 22, 7-31 to 36, 7-42 to 58 below 1100 m elevation.
Coyote are resilient to harvest, maintaining stable populations even with harvest rates as high as 75%. In B.C., they are considered a Class 3 furbearer: not susceptible to overharvest. Trapping management for Class 3 is to encourage harvest, especially where human-wildlife conflicts may occur. This regulation change would be consistent with the trapping classification and management objectives. They have a high dispersal capability (10 to 50 km but occasionally over 100 km) and reproductive potential (litters average 5-6, can be up to 12; can breed as yearlings with approximately 70% of yearling females having litters). This means any localized reductions are unlikely to last long or affect the broader population long-term. This is especially the case because dispersing juveniles are often most likely to be encountered and killed (juveniles also generally make up around half the population prior to winter).
Removal of resident coyotes may result in transients and subordinates moving into the area that could locally increase density or change the prey profile (rodents, ungulates) of the local coyotes. However, given current liberal regulations, this proposal is not expected to lead to large scale shifts in population dynamics and these local dynamics are likely already taking place where coyotes are regularly harvested.
Pups are born April and May and generally independent at 4-5 months old. If born in mid April (likely around here), that puts them at or near independence by August 15. They would not be dependent on parents at that age, but potentially still with family units.