Michigan hunters saw opportunities to pursue coyotes cut by three months after the state’s Natural Resources Commission voted for the reduction. The board’s 4-2 vote earlier this year was done to help prevent “orphan” coyote pups. The reduction means coyote hunting is prohibited from April 15 to July 15. Board chairman Tom Baird said, “Shoot pregnant coyotes or taking pups out of their den is not fair chase.” Officials could not point to any significant increase in the number of coyotes by instituting the season closure. That was one bothersome point for many hunters, including the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “The commission has a responsibility and a legal charge to use the best available science,” said Justin Tomei, policy and government affairs manager for the conservation clubs, according to BridgeMi.com. The outlet said the season reduction was made by an advisory group consisting of hunters and trappers. According to the site, the group suggested that killing coyotes with pups could “turn the public against hunters, leading to anti-hunting policies in the future.” The nine-month season was ended in 2016 when officials were concerned about a possible uptick in coyote problems. Little changed since then, according to Michigan DNR officials, and the protection of coyotes with pups was revisited prior to the vote in March. Officials said about 7,000 Michigan hunters killed about 13,000 coyotes in 2020, the last year for which records are available. Hunters may still kill nuisance coyotes year-round on private land without a permit.