Whether a coyote grades hvy or semi has nothing to do with the primness of the fur. The type of fur determines that. Larger Eastern and Mid-Western coyotes are considered Semi because they have coarse guard hair and non-uniform color (usually darker). Smaller Western coyotes are pale in color, have more uniform guard hairs and have a softer, more silky feel.
WRT to Western Heavies grading Semi, I don't totally understand that one. I think that it may have something to do with the fur degrading to a point that it starts to resemble Semi fur. I base that on usually getting Semi grades on my later February caught coyotes.
ALSO, to confuse things even further, I think that there's a Hvy-Semi grade that they use in addition to just Semi (can't remember. Maybe NAFA?).
In summary, sub-sub-species in different regions have different types of fur.
I trap in #8 and my yotes are dark HVY= Northern Coyotes. AB Trappers in #10 seem to catch lighter coloured HVY = Plains Coyotes.
8. Canis latrans incolatus (Northern Coyote)
10. Canis latrans latrans (Plains Coyote)
11. Canis latrans lestes (Mountain Coyote)
17. Canis latrans thamnos (Northeastern Coyote)
20. Canis latrans “var” (Eastern Coyote)
