Texas is home to one of the largest coyote populations in the country, and the state gives hunters more flexibility to pursue them than almost anywhere else in the nation. Whether you are protecting livestock, managing a ranch, or simply enjoy predator hunting, understanding the rules before you head out is essential.
This guide covers everything you need to know about coyote hunting laws in Texas — from season dates and license requirements to night hunting, trapping, and the special rights landowners hold. Regulations referenced here are drawn from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Outdoor Annual valid September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026.
Is Coyote Hunting Legal in Texas?
Yes, coyote hunting is fully legal in Texas — and the state’s rules are among the most permissive in the country. Coyotes are classified as a nongame species in Texas. Hunters may harvest nongame species, though they must obtain a license specific to the animal to do so. There is no closed season for nongame species — they may be hunted at any time using lawful means, although certain regions may have restrictions in place.
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are slender, dog-like carnivores common throughout Texas. They have adapted easily to the expansion of human communities into their habitat and can occasionally be found in urban and suburban neighborhoods. That adaptability is part of why population management through hunting is so widely encouraged across the state.
Important Note: One firm legal restriction applies statewide regardless of your hunting situation: you may not transport or sell live coyotes in Texas. Live coyotes are under a statewide rabies quarantine that prohibits them from being transported or sold in Texas.
Texas has the largest number of coyotes in the country, and this has become a problem for farmers and their livestock. As a result, the state has implemented hunting regulations as a means of managing coyote populations, controlling their numbers, and reducing predation on livestock and other wildlife. You can also read about goose hunting season in Texas if you want to explore other hunting opportunities in the Lone Star State.
Coyote Hunting Season Dates in Texas
Unlike deer or turkey, coyotes in Texas are not subject to any closed season. There are no closed seasons, bag limits, or possession limits; they may be hunted at any time by any lawful means or methods on private property. That means you can pursue coyotes in January, July, or any other month of the year without worrying about a season calendar.
Coyotes and bobcats are not classified as furbearers and have no closed periods. This distinguishes them from regulated furbearer species like raccoons, beavers, and otters, which do have defined trapping and hunting seasons.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Closed Season | None — open year-round |
| Bag Limit | None on private property |
| Possession Limit | None on private property |
| Public Land Restrictions | May apply — check unit-specific rules |
| Regulation Period | Sept. 1, 2025 – Aug. 31, 2026 |
While hunting is legal year-round, timing still matters for success. Late fall through early spring tends to be most productive. Cooler temperatures keep coyotes active during the day, increasing the chances of a successful kill. The winter breeding season (January through March) boosts responsiveness to howls and pup distress calls.
Public hunting lands may also have additional restrictions. Always check the specific unit rules for any Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or public land you plan to hunt before heading out. If you hunt in neighboring states, you can compare rules with our guides on hunting laws in Arkansas and hunting laws in Kansas.
License and Permit Requirements for Coyote Hunting in Texas
Whether you need a hunting license to pursue coyotes in Texas depends on the specific situation. The general rule is that a license is required — but there are meaningful exceptions worth knowing.
A hunting license is required of any person (resident or nonresident), of any age, to hunt any animal, bird, frog, or turtle in this state. Coyotes fall under that umbrella as a nongame animal. No special coyote-specific tag or permit is needed beyond a standard hunting license.
Key Insight: No hunting license is required to hunt depredating coyotes on private property with landowner authorization. “Depredating” means the coyotes are causing damage or destruction to property, commercial crops, or native environments.
There is a second license exemption that applies in emergency situations. A hunting license is required of any person (resident or nonresident), of any age, to hunt any animal in this state, except coyotes if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl. In those specific circumstances, you can act without a license to protect your animals.
Here is a breakdown of the main license types available through TPWD for hunters who do need a license:
- Resident Hunting License — For Texas residents aged 17 and older.
- Senior Resident Hunting License — Texas residents age 65 or older are eligible for a reduced-fee Senior Resident Hunting License.
- Youth Hunting License — Valid for any person, resident or non-resident, under 17 years of age at the date of license purchase. Exempt from state hunting endorsement requirements, except for the Reptile and Amphibian Endorsement.
- Non-Resident Hunting License — Non-resident hunters pay $315 for a general hunting license.
- Super Combo License — Combines hunting and fishing licenses with five endorsements (archery, freshwater, saltwater with red drum tag, upland game bird, and migratory game bird).
Anyone born after September 2, 1971, must complete a certified hunter education course before hunting in Texas. This rule covers Texas residents and out-of-state hunters alike.
You can purchase a license online around the clock through the official Texas Parks and Wildlife website at tpwd.texas.gov (online purchases include a $5 administrative fee), or at around 1,700 retail spots across Texas, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, and local gun shops. The Texas Hunt and Fish mobile app also lets you buy digital licenses and show them on your phone.
For a look at how licensing compares in other nearby states, see our guides on hunting laws in Ohio and hunting laws in Tennessee.
Legal Methods and Weapons for Coyote Hunting in Texas
Texas gives hunters broad latitude when it comes to methods and equipment for taking coyotes. Because coyotes are classified as nongame animals, there are no closed seasons, bag limits, or possession limits; they may be hunted at any time by any lawful means or methods on private property. That phrase “any lawful means” covers a wide range of tools.
Commonly used and legally permitted methods include:
- Rifles — Flat-shooting calibers like .223/5.56mm, .243, and .22-250 are popular for their accuracy at distance.
- Shotguns — Effective at close range, particularly in dense brush country.
- Archery equipment — Legal for coyotes, though rarely used due to the challenge involved.
- Calling devices — Use of calling devices (including manual and mouth-operated), recordings, and electrically amplified calls to hunt game animals and game birds is permitted.
- Decoys — Decoys may be used to hunt game animals and game birds.
- Bait — Baiting is allowed for nongame animals and upland game birds, except for Eastern turkey and migratory game birds. Note that baiting is unlawful on most public property, so check specific regulations for that public property.
Pro Tip: The use of firearms such as rifles and shotguns is common in predator hunting, and hunters must be skilled and knowledgeable in their use. A flat-shooting rifle with a bipod or tripod is the standard setup for open country in West Texas and the Panhandle, where shots can stretch well beyond 200 yards.
One hard prohibition to keep in mind: no person may hunt, capture, trap, take, collect, or kill any wild animal or wild bird on a public road or the right-of-way of public roads. You must be on private property or an authorized public hunting unit — never shooting from or across a roadway.
Hunters in other states may find it useful to compare weapon rules. Our guides on hunting laws in Virginia and hunting laws in Montana cover legal methods in those states.
Night Hunting and Electronic Call Rules in Texas
Night hunting for coyotes is one of the most productive strategies available to Texas hunters, and the state permits it with relatively few restrictions compared to other states.
Texas permits night hunting of coyotes with spotlights, thermal, and night vision, making after-dark hours highly productive. You are not required to obtain a special night-hunting permit for coyotes on private land, which sets Texas apart from many other states.
The TPWD does include one courtesy recommendation for night hunters: if hunting at night, as a courtesy please contact your local game warden. This is not a legal requirement, but it is a practical step that can prevent misunderstandings and shows good faith with local wildlife officers.
| Night Hunting Tool | Legal Status in Texas | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spotlights / Artificial Light | Legal for coyotes on private land | Cannot be used from a motor vehicle to locate reptiles/amphibians |
| Thermal Optics | Legal | Highly effective for detection at distance |
| Night Vision Scopes | Legal | Better for positive identification of target |
| Electronic Calls (E-Callers) | Legal for coyotes | Not permitted for migratory game birds (except Light Goose Conservation Order) |
| Red / Green Lights | Legal | Useful alternative when thermal optics are unavailable |
On the topic of electronic calls, the rules for coyotes are straightforward. Use of calling devices, including manual and mouth-operated devices, recordings, and electrically amplified calls to hunt game animals is permitted. Electronic calls may not be used to hunt migratory game birds except during the Light Goose Conservation Order season. Since coyotes are nongame animals — not migratory game birds — electronic calls are fully legal for coyote hunting.
Pro Tip: Nothing beats a thermal for detecting heat and game animals — however, detection and recognition are two different things. A thermal will tell you that there is an animal standing along the wood line 350 yards out, but it may not be enough to tell you 100% if you are looking at a coyote, fox, a neighbor’s dog, or a small deer. This is where night vision scopes excel over thermal if you intend to know with certainty what you are about to shoot.
Keep in mind that local city ordinances may restrict firearm discharge within municipal limits. Hunters should be familiar with local ordinances restricting the discharge of a firearm within city limits. Additionally, state law prohibits the discharging of a firearm across or on a public roadway, even if livestock animals are under attack from a coyote.
Trapping Coyotes in Texas
Trapping is a legal and commonly used method for coyote control in Texas, particularly on ranches and agricultural properties dealing with persistent predator pressure. The rules for trapping coyotes differ somewhat from the rules for hunting them.
Because coyotes are classified as nongame animals rather than furbearers, they are not subject to the same trapping season restrictions that apply to species like raccoons, foxes, and beavers. Coyotes and bobcats are not classified as furbearers and have no closed periods. This means coyote trapping on private property can occur at any time of year.
A standard hunting license is sufficient to trap coyotes for non-commercial purposes. You do not need a trapper’s license to hunt coyotes (a hunting license is needed, though). However, if you intend to sell coyote pelts or furs, additional licensing may apply — check current TPWD commercial harvest rules before doing so.
Important Note: On public hunting lands, trapping rules are stricter. Traps or snares may be used to take furbearers or predatory animals only as authorized on specific units during the period from November 1 through March 31. Always verify the specific unit regulations before setting traps on any WMA or public land.
Common trapping methods used for coyotes in Texas include:
- Leg-hold traps — The most widely used method; effective when properly sized and set near travel corridors, water sources, or den areas.
- Cage/box traps — Useful for live capture, though keep in mind that live coyotes cannot legally be transported or sold due to the statewide rabies quarantine.
- Snares — Effective in fence crossings and trails when used correctly.
- Calling and shooting over traps — Combining electronic calls with trap sets can increase success rates significantly.
Remember that live coyotes are under a statewide rabies quarantine that prohibits them from being transported or sold in Texas. If you trap a live coyote, relocation is not a legal option. For additional context on trapping regulations in neighboring states, see our guide on hunting laws in Minnesota.
Landowner Rights and Depredation Rules in Texas
Texas law gives landowners and their authorized agents significant authority when it comes to dealing with coyotes that are causing damage. These rights go beyond what a standard hunting license allows and are designed to give agricultural producers real tools for protecting their operations.
The most important landowner-specific rule is the depredation exemption. No hunting license is required to hunt depredating coyotes on private property with landowner authorization. If coyotes are actively damaging crops, killing livestock, or harming domestic animals, the landowner — or anyone they authorize — can pursue those coyotes without a hunting license.
Texas, Oklahoma, and several other states exempt landowners from licensing requirements when hunting on their own property, while most states require a valid license regardless of land ownership. This is a meaningful advantage for Texas ranchers and farmers dealing with chronic coyote problems.
Key Insight: The depredation exemption applies specifically to coyotes that are “attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl.” The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department permits the hunting of coyotes without a license if they “are attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl.” General pest control on a property — even with landowner permission — still requires a standard hunting license unless the depredation condition is met.
A few additional landowner-related rules to keep in mind:
- Trespassing to pursue coyotes is prohibited. The purchase of a hunting license does not give the holder the right to hunt coyotes on any property without first obtaining the landowner’s permission. Additionally, Texas law prohibits crossing property lines without landowner consent to pursue a wounded coyote. An individual trespassing without permission is subject to arrest.
- No shooting from public roads. Even if coyotes are actively attacking your animals, state law prohibits the discharging of a firearm across or on a public roadway.
- Commercial sale of depredating coyotes is not allowed. Taking any nongame species for commercial purposes, such as sale, barter, or exchange, is unlawful in the state and may result in heavy fines.
- Game wardens retain access rights. Game wardens from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have the authority to enter private property to enforce hunting and wildlife laws. They can inspect licenses, game, and equipment, though they still must follow legal standards regarding searches of homes.
For more information on Texas-specific animal laws and regulations, explore our related guides on pet laws in Texas, dove hunting season in Texas, roadkill laws in Texas, and dog leash laws in Dallas, Texas. If you are a landowner managing livestock or property, you may also find our articles on goat ownership laws in Texas and backyard chicken laws in Texas helpful.
The bottom line for Texas landowners is that the state gives you strong legal footing to protect your property and livestock from coyotes. Whether you are hiring a hunter, authorizing a neighbor, or acting yourself, understanding the specific conditions of the depredation exemption ensures you stay on the right side of the law while effectively managing predator pressure on your land.
Always verify current regulations directly through the TPWD Outdoor Annual nongame species page before each season, as rules can change. You can also contact TPWD directly at tpwd.texas.gov or by calling (800) 792-1112 during regular business hours.