Coyote Season in Maryland: Mating, Pups and Pet Safety

Coyotes in Maryland mate from January to March. Maryland DNR puts it this way: “Breeding season encompasses late January through March, with peak activities occurring during February.” It is the loudest stretch of the coyote year: pairs court and mark their ground, and coyotes travel farther and show up more often by day.

Coyote pups in Maryland are born in April and May. Montgomery Parks puts it this way: “Female has one litter of 4-8 puppies a year, usually in April or May.”

Yes. Coyote hunting is open all year in Maryland with no bag limit, under the 2026 to 2027 rules from Maryland DNR. You need a hunting license and a Furbearer Permit. On hunting at night: “Coyotes may be hunted, day and night, year-round in all counties.”

Montgomery Parks puts it this way: “If a coyote is persistent and threatening in its behavior, walk (don’t run) toward an area with people or back to your car while maintaining eye contact with the animal.”

USDA Wildlife Services nuisance animal hotline (contracted by DNR): (877) 463-6497. Maryland DNR puts it this way: “DNR has contracted with the USDA Wildlife Services to establish a public access nuisance animal hotline.”

Coyote trapping in Maryland has 2 seasons under the 2026 to 2027 rules from Maryland DNR: West of the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River, October 31, 2026 to February 15, 2027; East of the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River, November 14, 2026 to February 28, 2027.

Coyotes can take cats and small dogs, and can treat a larger dog as a threat while mating and raising pups. Maryland DNR advises: “Pet depredation can generally be mitigated by eliminating outdoor feeding of pets, keeping pets leashed, and accompanying pets outside.”