Coyote Season in Utah: Mating, Pups and Pet Safety

Coyotes in Utah mate in January and February. Utah DWR puts it this way: “Because coyotes mate during the winter — usually in January and February — the most effective control efforts will remove coyotes after they form pair bonds and set territories, but before they raise pups.” 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.

Yes. Coyote hunting is open all year in Utah with no bag limit, under the 2026 to 2027 rules from Utah DWR. License: no hunting license; a trap registration license to trap. On hunting at night: “Individual counties regulate spotlighting for coyotes and other nonprotected species in Utah. To find out if spotlighting is allowed, contact the sheriff's department in the county where you wish to hunt.”

Wild Aware Utah puts it this way: “Do not run or turn your back on a coyote that has approached you. Face the coyote, shout at it, be as big and loud as possible, wave your arms and back away slowly.”

Local animal control, police department or county sheriff's office. Wild Aware Utah puts it this way: “If you have an encounter with an aggressive coyote, please call animal control, your local police department or your county sheriff’s office to handle the situation.”

Coyote trapping is open all year in Utah under the 2026 to 2027 rules from Utah DWR. “Coyote* Year-round Year-round none Coyotes are not managed by the DWR.”

Coyotes can take cats and small dogs, and can treat a larger dog as a threat while mating and raising pups. Wild Aware Utah advises: “Keep dogs leashed, especially when on trails and in open areas.” It also says: “Cats should be kept indoors.”