Coyotes in Minnesota in May

Yes, May is a good month to see coyotes in Minnesota. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 218 of the 2,611 sightings logged across the year (8.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Coyote photographed in MinnesotaCoyote photographed in MinnesotaCoyote photographed in Minnesota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for coyotes in Minnesota

8.3%

of yearly sightings

218

records in May

#6

busiest month of 12

2,611

verified records a year

April 12.3%, May 8.3%, June 4.7%. Busiest month is February at 13.9%.

Best months: February, January, April

2,611 verified observations of coyotes in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When coyotes are recorded in Minnesota

Peak month

February

364 records (13.9% of the year)

Quietest month

July

113 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak32812.6%
Februarypeak36413.9%
March26610.2%
Aprilpeak32212.3%
May2188.3%
June1244.7%
July1134.3%
August1274.9%
September1194.6%
October1666.4%
November2088%
December2569.8%

Coyotes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Coyote2,611

In Minnesota, May carries 8.3% of the year's coyotes sightings, about 0 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from April (12.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (4.7%) after. The busiest month is February (13.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The coyotes most often recorded in Minnesota 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

  • Coyote2,611 records
Plan your tripGrand Portage National Monument

Plan your coyote trip in Minnesota

Start with live tours near Grand Portage National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see coyotes in Minnesota in May?+

Yes. May accounts for 218 of the 2,611 verified coyotes sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 8.3% of the annual total.

Is May a good time to see coyotes in Minnesota?+

May is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though February and January is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for coyotes in Minnesota?+

February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, January and April, based on 2,611 verified observations.

Which coyotes are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+

The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Coyote, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.