Coyote Hunting Laws in New York: Season Dates, Licenses, and Rules Explained
May 16, 2026
New York is home to a thriving population of eastern coyotes, and the state gives hunters a generous window to pursue them across most of the state. Whether you are a seasoned predator hunter or stepping into coyote season for the first time, understanding the rules set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is essential before you head afield.
This guide covers everything you need to know about coyote hunting laws in New York — from season dates and licensing requirements to legal weapons, night hunting rules, trapping regulations, and what landowners can do when coyotes become a problem.
Is Coyote Hunting Legal in New York?
Yes, there is an active and extensive coyote hunting season in New York State. Coyotes are classified as furbearers and are managed under a regulated hunting and trapping framework administered by the DEC. The season runs for several months each year, and the rules are notably permissive compared to many other states — including no bag limit and broad allowances for night hunting.
Eastern coyotes are common in New York, found throughout the state, and there are regulated hunting and trapping seasons for coyotes in NY. Eastern coyotes have a mix of coyote, wolf, and dog ancestry and are larger in size — about 40 pounds on average — than coyotes west of the Mississippi.
Important Note: Wolves are a fully protected species in New York. Large coyotes of 50 or more pounds have been reported in New York, but they are uncommon. Any canid 50 pounds or greater may be a wolf, wolf-hybrid, or domestic dog. New York law protects wolves from hunting or trapping. It is also illegal to indiscriminately shoot domestic dogs or wolf-hybrids. Always be certain of your target before shooting.
Coyote hunting is not permitted on Long Island or within New York City limits. If you plan to hunt in other areas of the state, a valid hunting license is all you need to get started — no special coyote-specific permit is required. For a broader look at how New York regulates animals and wildlife, you can also explore pet laws in New York and roadkill laws in New York.
Coyote Hunting Season Dates in New York
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the coyote season runs October 1 through March 29 statewide. Some sources from the official 2025–2026 season summary list the close date as March 30, so always confirm the exact end date with the current DEC regulations guide for your specific season year.
The season applies statewide except for Long Island and New York City. That means hunters across upstate New York, the Southern Zone, and the Northern Zone all share the same general season window — one of the longest furbearer seasons in the state.
| Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide (except Long Island and NYC) | October 1 – March 29/30 | No bag limit |
| Long Island | No open season | N/A |
| New York City | No open season | N/A |
There are no bag limits for coyotes, and they may be hunted during the day or night. This makes coyote hunting one of the most flexible pursuits in New York’s hunting calendar. Unlike many game seasons, coyote hunting hours are not restricted after opening day. Regulations allow you to hunt after sunrise on opening day and at any hour, day or night, for the remainder of the season.
If you enjoy hunting other species during the same general period, check out the turkey hunting season in New York and dove hunting season in New York for additional opportunities throughout the fall and winter months.
License and Permit Requirements for Coyote Hunting in New York
To hunt furbearers, you must possess a resident or non-resident hunting license. A trapping license does not allow you to hunt furbearers. No additional coyote-specific permit or tag is required — your standard New York hunting license covers you for the entire season.
A hunter safety certification is required for first-time hunters using firearms. Anyone twelve or older who hunts in New York needs a hunting license. Licenses are specific to age groups and how you hunt — bow or gun.
Pro Tip: License year runs from September 1 through August 31. Licenses for hunting, trapping, and fishing can be purchased at 1,200-plus agent locations in New York, by phone at 1-866-933-2257, or online via DECALS at dec.ny.gov.
There is no mandatory harvest reporting requirement for coyotes. There is mandatory harvest reporting only for bobcat, which includes completion of a furbearer possession tag and subsequent pelt sealing. Coyote hunters are free from that obligation, though the DEC does encourage voluntary reporting of unusually large coyotes.
Legislation was also passed that removed the requirement for hunters to wear a backtag while hunting anywhere in New York State — a rule change that simplifies things for coyote hunters in the field.
Hunters interested in how New York regulates other hunting opportunities across the region can also review hunting laws in Ohio and hunting laws in Virginia for comparison.
Legal Methods and Weapons for Coyote Hunting in New York
Furbearers may be hunted with a bow, crossbow, or firearm. For coyote hunting specifically, New York gives hunters a wide range of legal implements — but rifle use comes with important location-based restrictions you need to understand before heading out.
You may hunt furbearers with a rifle chambered in any cartridge, except that during any open season for deer (including archery, muzzleloading, and regular seasons) you may not possess a centerfire rifle afield, during the day or night, to hunt wildlife, including furbearers, in any county or portion of a county where deer hunting with rifles is prohibited during the regular deer season.
- Rifles: Any caliber when no deer season is open in your location; restrictions apply during deer season overlap
- Centerfire rifles under .22 caliber (e.g., .204, .17 Hornet): Centerfire rifles smaller than .22 caliber are permitted in restricted areas during open deer season
- Shotguns: You may use a shotgun loaded with shot of any size
- Handguns, bows, and crossbows: You may use a handgun, bow, or crossbow
- Air guns: Air guns may be used to hunt furbearers. An air gun is defined as a firearm that uses spring or compressed air to propel a single projectile that is .17 caliber or larger and produces a muzzle velocity of at least 600 feet per second.
Important Note: In Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties, rifles are not allowed. Hunters in these areas must rely on shotguns, handguns, bows, crossbows, or air guns when pursuing coyotes.
In the Northern Zone, rifles larger than .22 caliber rimfire or .22-caliber-plus centerfire are prohibited when accompanied by a dog, except for coyote hunting. This means coyote hunting is specifically carved out as an exception to the general dog-accompaniment rifle restriction in the Northern Zone — a notable advantage for hunters who run dogs.
You may not hunt from any motor vehicle, including an ATV or snowmobile. All hunting must be conducted on foot or from a stationary position.
Night Hunting and Electronic Call Rules in New York
New York is one of the more permissive states when it comes to night hunting for coyotes. Bobcat, coyote, red fox, gray fox, raccoon, opossum, and skunk may be hunted at any hour, day or night. This makes New York an excellent destination for hunters who prefer to target coyotes after dark, when predator activity naturally peaks.
Electronic calls are legal. Spotlights, night vision, thermal, and laser devices are legal to hunt coyotes. All laws pertaining to the use of a spotlight apply. These tools can be mounted directly to your firearm for added convenience.
| Tool or Method | Legal for Coyote Hunting? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic calls | Yes | No restrictions for coyotes |
| Spotlights | Yes | All spotlight laws apply; check local ordinances |
| Night vision devices | Yes | May be attached to firearm |
| Thermal imaging | Yes | May be attached to firearm |
| Laser devices | Yes | May be attached to firearm |
| Hunting from ATV/snowmobile | No | Prohibited at all times |
If hunting without a light, the use of a light-gathering (“starlight”) scope is legal on any firearm. This gives hunters additional flexibility when operating in areas where spotlights may attract attention or where local ordinances are more restrictive.
Key Insight: Hunters should consult with local government officials for any laws that may prohibit the discharge of firearms at night. State law permits night hunting for coyotes, but municipal or county ordinances may impose additional restrictions on firearm discharge after dark in certain areas.
For a look at how night hunting and predator regulations compare in neighboring states, see hunting laws in Indiana and hunting laws in Tennessee.
Trapping Coyotes in New York
In addition to hunting, coyotes can be legally trapped in New York during a regulated trapping season. Trapping and hunting are governed separately — a hunting license covers hunting, while trapping requires its own license.
All residents must have a valid trapping license in their possession, except that resident owners primarily engaged in farming, lessees, and members of their immediate families do not need a trapping license when trapping on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating, for bobcat, coyote, fox, mink, muskrat, raccoon, opossum, weasel, skunk, and unprotected wildlife that may be lawfully taken by trapping. Note that beaver, otter, fisher, and marten are not included in this exemption.
Indigenous Peoples living on a reservation do not need a trapping license while trapping on reservation lands.
Key trapping rules to know include:
- You may not set a trap on a public road.
- Body-gripping traps set on land shall not be within 100 feet of a public trail, except on Wildlife Management Areas.
- Foothold traps larger than 4 inches must be covered when set on land.
- A license to trap does not give the holder any right to go on private property without permission of the landowner.
Common Mistake: Assuming a trapping license covers hunting — or vice versa. To hunt furbearers, you must possess a resident or non-resident hunting license. A trapping license does not allow you to hunt furbearers. Make sure you have the correct license for the method you plan to use.
If you have a canine in a trap that is over 4.5 feet in length and is over 50 pounds, contact DEC law enforcement at 1-844-332-3267 before dispatching the animal. This is a critical safety step to avoid accidentally killing a protected wolf or wolf-hybrid.
Hunters and trappers interested in how other states handle furbearer management can explore hunting laws in Montana and hunting laws in Minnesota for regional comparisons.
Landowner Rights and Depredation Rules in New York
If coyotes are causing damage to your property or livestock, New York law provides some options outside of the regular hunting season — though the rules depend on the context and the type of property involved.
All New York State residents can take a member of an unprotected species that is on their own property when the wildlife becomes destructive to public or private property. Nuisance animals of unprotected species may be taken at any time of the year and by any means, provided that other laws are not violated — such as pesticide regulations, firearm discharge ordinances, or trespassing laws.
However, coyotes are a protected furbearer species in New York, not an unprotected species, which means standard depredation outside the open season is more limited. If the problem occurs during a legal season for that species, you could advise landowners to invite hunters or trappers onto their land. This is often the most practical approach — opening your land to licensed coyote hunters during the October–March season provides effective, legal population management at no cost to the landowner.
Pro Tip: Landowners who farm and are primarily engaged in cultivating their land have an advantage when it comes to trapping. Resident owners primarily engaged in farming, lessees, and members of their immediate families do not need a trapping license when trapping on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating for coyotes and several other furbearer species. This exemption can be especially valuable for farms dealing with ongoing coyote pressure on livestock.
For situations involving protected or regulated game species, landowners should call the regional DEC wildlife office. If appropriate, the DEC will issue a special state permit — to the landowner, not to a wildlife control operator — that will allow certain control efforts. The landowner must speak directly to the DEC to initiate this process.
While coyotes will typically avoid contact with humans, conflicts with people and pets may result, as coyotes tend to be territorial around den sites during the spring through mid-summer period as they forage almost constantly to provide food for their young. If a coyote is acting aggressively or showing no fear of people, contact your regional DEC wildlife office or, in emergency situations, local law enforcement.
For more on how New York regulates animals and wildlife interactions at the local level, visit leash laws in New York, goat ownership laws in New York, and backyard chicken laws in New York. Hunters from other states planning a trip to New York may also find it useful to review regulations in their home states, including hunting laws in Arkansas, hunting laws in Kansas, hunting laws in South Carolina, and hunting laws in Idaho.
Final Thoughts
New York offers a well-structured and hunter-friendly framework for pursuing coyotes. With a five-plus-month season, no bag limit, broad night hunting permissions, and legal use of electronic calls and thermal optics, the state gives you real flexibility. The key is understanding the rifle restrictions that vary by zone and season overlap, knowing where hunting is and is not permitted, and always verifying your target before pulling the trigger.
Always consult the current NYSDEC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide before each season, as dates and rules can be updated annually. When in doubt, contact your regional DEC wildlife office directly for the most accurate and current guidance.