Coyotes in Illinois in May
Yes, May is a good month to see coyotes in Illinois. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 289 of the 2,690 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), 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
10.7%
of yearly sightings
289
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
2,690
verified records a year
April 13.5%, May 10.7%, June 6.3%. 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, May carries 10.7% of the year's coyotes sightings, about 2.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (13.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.3%) 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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 289 of the 2,690 verified coyotes sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see coyotes in Illinois?+
May is the 4th 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