A Call, Bait or Dogs
Required at night: a call, bait or dogs.
MoreAllowed: electronic calls, mouth calls and mechanical decoys. Not allowed: live decoys.
906-214-2308
906-265-9100
40 E Adams St
Iron River, MI 49935
Coyote Hunting in Iron County, Michigan
Iron County • Michigan's Upper Peninsula • 2026–27
Coyote hunting in Iron County is open year-round. Below are the 2026–27 seasons, licenses and rules for coyote, fox and bobcat in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
YEAR-ROUND
Open all 12 months for coyote
NIGHT HUNTING
Coyote and fox, Oct. 15 – March 1
NO BAG LIMIT
Applies to coyote and fox
BOBCAT
Michigan residents only, Jan. 1 – March 1
The Coyote
Coyote Hunting in the Upper Peninsula, Now Year-Round
Michigan's regular coyote season runs from October 15 through March 1. Once it closes, the coyote management season begins and continues until the next regular season opens, so coyotes can be hunted year-round.
There is no bag limit. Most hunters set up along the edge of a clearing, cutover or frozen marsh and use a call to bring coyotes in. Fresh snow makes it easier to find tracks along forest roads and see where coyotes are traveling.
The management season has its own rules, so review the current fur harvester regulations before planning a spring or summer hunt.
Stay In Iron County
Where to Stay for a Winter Coyote Hunt
2026–27 Seasons
Predator Hunting Seasons in Iron County: Coyote, Fox and Bobcat
Unit: Bobcat Unit A (Upper Peninsula). Dates valid through April 30, 2027.
Coyote
Oct. 15 – March 1
Daytime and night hunting. No bag limit.
Coyote, the Rest of the Year
Management season
From the day after March 1 until the next regular season opens.
Red & Gray Fox
Oct. 15 – March 1
Daytime and night hunting. No bag limit.
Bobcat Hunting
Jan. 1 – March 1, 2027
Michigan residents only. Daylight only. Kill tag required.
Bobcat Trapping
Nov. 1–14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 18
Michigan residents only. Kill tag required.
Trapping Coyote & Fox
Oct. 15 – March 1
Cable restraints allowed Jan. 1 – March 1.
After Dark
Night Hunting Coyotes and Fox: Calls, Lights and Legal Guns
Night hunting: coyote and fox, October 15 – March 1. Hover or tap a card for details.
Lights and Thermal
Allowed: a hand-held light and thermal or infrared scopes.
MoreAllowed: a light carried in the hand or on your person, scopes, open sights, and thermal, infrared or laser sights. Not allowed: using a vehicle's headlights to look for animals.
Legal Guns at Night
Allowed at night: centerfire up to .269 caliber, .22 rimfire, shotgun, bow or crossbow.
MoreCenterfire rifle or pistol: .269 caliber or smaller. Rimfire: .22 or smaller. Shotgun: No. 3 buckshot or smaller, no slugs. Not allowed: centerfire firearms at night in state parks and recreation areas.
Before You Come
Coyote Hunting Licenses for Out-of-State Hunters
Coming From Out of State
Base License and Fur Harvester License
Nonresident hunters need a Michigan base license ($151) and a fur harvester license ($15) to hunt coyote and fox. Nonresidents cannot hunt or trap bobcat in Michigan.
Buy a Michigan LicenseMichigan Residents
A Base License Covers Coyote
Michigan residents can hunt coyote with a base license, except from November 10 to 14, when a fur harvester license is required. A fur harvester license is always required for trapping.
License Rules
Born on or after January 1, 1960?
You must show a hunter education certificate or a previous hunting
license. Certificates from other states are accepted.
Residents Only
Bobcat Hunting in the U.P.: Kill Tags and Registration
Bobcat hunting in the Upper Peninsula runs January 1 through March 1, 2027, during daylight hours, and is open only to Michigan residents. A free bobcat kill tag is required and is available only from May 1 to October 31. Hunters without a tag cannot take part in the winter season.
Hunters may take two bobcats in the Upper Peninsula. The first kill tag is valid statewide, and the second is valid only in the Upper Peninsula.
Every bobcat must be registered by March 11, 2027. Bring the pelt with the lower jaw or the entire skull to the Crystal Falls DNR Office, 1420 US-2 West, Crystal Falls. Call 906-875-5032 ahead of time to make an appointment.
Registration StationsWhere & How
Where to Hunt Predators in Iron County, and the Rules to Know
- Ottawa National Forest. The Iron River Ranger District covers 138,000 acres, and Michigan hunting rules apply.
- State and Commercial Forest land. There is state forest land around Crystal Falls, and Commercial Forest land is open to public hunting on foot. Use Mi-HUNT to find both.
- No hunting from a snowmobile or ORV. You may ride to your hunting area, but you must get off and walk before you hunt.
- Hunter orange. Hunter orange is not required while you are stationary hunting coyote, fox or bobcat, or while hunting at night. It is required when you are moving during daylight hours.
- Out of season. From spring through fall, coyotes may be trapped only on private land. Coyotes cannot be taken in state parks and recreation areas from April 1 to September 14.
- Dogs. Dogs may be used to hunt coyote, fox and bobcat during their seasons, but not from April 16 to July 7.
Know What You See
Wolves in Iron County, and Telling Them From Coyotes
Wolves are found throughout the Upper Peninsula and are protected in Michigan. A wolf can resemble a large coyote, especially in low light, so identify your target before taking a shot.
Wolves Are Protected
Hunting wolves is not allowed in Michigan
Exception: a direct, immediate threat to human life.
Size Difference
Michigan wolves weigh about 70 to 80 pounds
About 6 feet long, much larger than a coyote.
Hunting With Hounds
Learn to tell wolf tracks from coyote and dog tracks
Avoid areas with recent wolf activity.
Mange
Common in coyote and red fox
Wear gloves when handling an animal with mange.
Local predator hunt:
Amasa Sawblade held its first Predator Hunt January 22–24, 2026,
with prizes for the heaviest coyote, fox and bobcat. A 2027 date has
not been announced.
Every Season
Hunting in Iron County
Information on deer, bear, grouse, turkey and waterfowl hunting in Iron County, all in one place.
Hunting GuideOff the Stand
Winter in Iron County
Snowmobiling, ice fishing and downhill skiing for the days you're not hunting.
Winter GuideQuestions
Coyote and Predator Hunting in Iron County: Common Questions
When is coyote season in Michigan's Upper Peninsula?
Coyote can be hunted year-round. The regular season runs October 15 through March 1, and the management season runs from the day after it closes until the next regular season opens. Review the management season rules before a spring or summer hunt.
Can you hunt coyotes at night in Michigan?
Yes, from October 15 through March 1. Night hunters must use a call, bait or dogs. A hand-held light and thermal or infrared sights are allowed, and centerfire firearms must be .269 caliber or smaller.
Can out-of-state hunters hunt coyote or bobcat in Michigan?
Out-of-state hunters can hunt coyote and fox with a Michigan base license and a fur harvester license. Bobcat is open to Michigan residents only.
Where do I register a bobcat in Iron County, Michigan?
At the Crystal Falls DNR Office, 1420 US-2 West, Crystal Falls. Call 906-875-5032 to make an appointment, and register your bobcat by March 11, 2027.
What license do I need to hunt coyotes in Michigan?
Michigan residents need a base license, plus a fur harvester license to hunt from November 10 to 14 or to trap. Nonresidents need both a base license and a fur harvester license.
Are there wolves in Iron County?
Yes. Wolves are found throughout the Upper Peninsula and are protected in Michigan. A Michigan wolf weighs about 70 to 80 pounds, much larger than a coyote, so identify your target before taking a shot.
Start Planning
Plan a Winter Coyote Hunt in Iron County
Pack a call, white camouflage and warm clothing, and plan your trip around fresh snow. Hunt field edges at first and last light, and use the middle of the day to scout for tracks.
Hunting, Winter and tagged bobcat hunting, coyote hunting, crystal falls michigan, fox hunting, iron county michigan, iron river michigan, night hunting, predator hunting, upper peninsula michigan.
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Iron County Michigan Visitors Guide
Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.