Coyotes in Illinois in February
Yes, February is a good month to see coyotes in Illinois. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 276 of the 2,690 sightings logged across the year (10.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for coyotes in Illinois
10.3%
of yearly sightings
276
records in February
#5
busiest month of 12
2,690
verified records a year
January 13.8%, February 10.3%, March 11.1%. Busiest month is January at 13.8%.
2,690 verified observations of coyotes in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When coyotes are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
January
372 records (13.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 372 | 13.8% |
| February | 276 | 10.3% |
| Marchpeak | 299 | 11.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 362 | 13.5% |
| May | 289 | 10.7% |
| June | 169 | 6.3% |
| July | 93 | 3.5% |
| August | 95 | 3.5% |
| September | 123 | 4.6% |
| October | 162 | 6% |
| November | 187 | 7% |
| December | 263 | 9.8% |
Coyotes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Coyote | 2,690 |
In Illinois, February carries 10.3% of the year's coyotes sightings, about 2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from January (13.8%) into February, and it heads toward March (11.1%) after. The busiest month is January (13.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The coyotes most often recorded in Illinois are Coyote. Those counts are annual totals rather than a February split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in February itself.
Which coyotes you are most likely to see
- Coyote2,690 records
Plan your coyote trip in Illinois
Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main coyote viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best coyote viewing area in Illinois.
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Broader backupBook a coyote tour in Illinois
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see coyotes in Illinois in February?+
Yes. February accounts for 276 of the 2,690 verified coyotes sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 10.3% of the annual total.
Is February a good time to see coyotes in Illinois?+
February is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though January and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for coyotes in Illinois?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, April and March, based on 2,690 verified observations.
Which coyotes are you most likely to see in Illinois?+
The most-recorded species in Illinois are Coyote, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See coyotes in Illinois in other months
More places to see coyotes
More wildlife in Illinois