Coyotes are firmly established throughout Mississippi. These highly adaptable canids, though not native to the Deep South, have successfully colonized the state and are now considered naturalized. Their presence is ubiquitous, found everywhere from remote rural areas to major metropolitan regions. Coyotes migrated into the eastern United States after larger predators like wolves were suppressed, allowing them to fill a vacant ecological niche.
Distribution Across Mississippi
The geographical spread of the coyote is complete across the state, confirmed in all 82 counties of Mississippi. This extensive range is a testament to the animal’s ability to thrive in diverse environments. Coyotes inhabit the state’s forests, river bottomlands, rural farmland edges, and increasingly, suburban and urban landscapes.
Their colonization began with a slow migration from the West and Midwest, likely starting in the early to mid-1900s. The suppression of competing eastern predators facilitated their expansion. They are now found in densely populated areas, including cities like Jackson and communities along the Gulf Coast, utilizing edge habitats and scavenging in neighborhoods for food sources.
Legal Status and Control Regulations
In Mississippi, the coyote is officially classified as a nuisance species by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). This classification is due to the damage they can cause to livestock, crops, and domestic animals. State regulations focus on population control, allowing for year-round hunting and trapping with no closed season and no bag limit.
Landowners and leaseholders have significant latitude in managing coyotes on their private property. They can hunt nuisance animals at any time of day or night, unrestricted by weapon or caliber limits. Designated agents may also hunt nuisance animals year-round with written permission from the landowner. Trapping coyotes requires a valid Mississippi trapping license for individuals 16 years or older, unless they are trapping on their own land.
Coexistence and Deterrence
Minimizing conflict with coyotes in residential areas depends on modifying human behavior and eliminating attractants. Coyotes are opportunistic scavengers, often drawn by accessible food sources. Securing household trash in heavy-duty containers with locking lids is important, as is removing all pet food and water bowls from outdoor areas.
Protecting small domestic animals is a concern, as coyotes may view small dogs and outdoor cats as potential prey. Pet owners should never leave small pets unattended outside, especially during the coyotes’ most active hours around dawn and dusk. If a coyote is sighted nearby, hazing techniques are an effective non-lethal method to maintain their natural fear of humans. Actions like shouting, waving arms, throwing small objects nearby, or spraying water can discourage the animal from lingering.