Coyote Hunting Laws in North Carolina: What Every Hunter Needs to Know
May 19, 2026
Coyote hunting in North Carolina is one of the most accessible and least restricted forms of hunting in the state — but that does not mean it is without rules. Coyotes first appeared in North Carolina in the 1980s, and their ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats, including suburban environments, has led to an increase in sightings across the state. Today, they are established in every county, making them a target for hunters statewide.
Whether you are hunting on private farmland, public game lands, or dealing with a livestock-raiding problem, understanding exactly what the law allows — and where the exceptions apply — keeps you legal and in the field. This guide breaks down every key regulation you need to know before heading out.
Is Coyote Hunting Legal in North Carolina
Across most of North Carolina, it is legal to hunt, shoot, and trap coyotes. The state classifies the coyote as a non-native, invasive predator, which is a big reason why regulations are far more permissive than for most other wildlife species. There is no closed season, no bag limit, and hunters can use a broad range of methods to pursue them.
In North Carolina, the coyote is designated as an invasive species, and it is one of the only animals — alongside feral pigs — that can be hunted at night with lights and electronic call signals. That designation gives hunters significant flexibility that simply does not exist for game animals like deer or turkey.
There is one important geographic exception you need to know about. In the counties of Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington, coyote hunting on public lands is prohibited, except coyotes may be taken on state-owned game lands by the holder of a permit and a NCWRC-issued permit or license for a specific permit hunt opportunity for coyotes. This restriction exists because of the ongoing red wolf recovery program in those counties — coyotes and red wolves are visually similar, and the risk of mistaken identity is taken seriously by wildlife managers.
Important Note: If you capture a collared or ear-tagged canid anywhere in North Carolina, do not dispatch it. Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 252-475-8353 or 252-475-8259 before dispatching the animal. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will determine if the canid is a red wolf or coyote, and may request that you turn over the live canid as part of their Trapper Reimbursement Program, which provides a $250 award.
If you hunt in neighboring states, it is worth reviewing coyote hunting laws in Virginia and hunting laws in South Carolina, as regulations vary significantly across state lines.
Coyote Hunting Season Dates in North Carolina
There is no closed season for taking coyotes, and there is no bag limit. That means you can legally pursue coyotes every day of the year in North Carolina, making it one of the most open predator hunting opportunities in the eastern United States.
The year-round open season applies statewide, but how and where you can hunt shifts depending on whether you are on private land or public game lands — and which county you are in. In all counties other than the five restricted ones, coyotes may be taken on private lands anytime day or night, and on public lands without a permit from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset, and with a permit from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.
North Carolina’s diverse topography — ranging from coastal plains and rolling hills to Appalachian hardwoods — creates varied and productive coyote habitat. As coyote populations grow across the state, more hunters are turning to predator hunting for its challenge and its value in controlling nuisance wildlife.
Pro Tip: Because there is no closed season, winter months are often considered the best time to hunt coyotes. Coyotes are more vocal during breeding season (January through March), making them more responsive to calls and easier to locate across the state’s varied terrain.
For a comparison of how other states structure their predator seasons, see hunting laws in Tennessee and hunting laws in Ohio.
License and Permit Requirements for Coyote Hunting in North Carolina
You need a valid hunting license to hunt coyotes in North Carolina. A hunting or trapping license is required, except for those persons who are license-exempt. The license year runs from July 1 through June 30.
According to the 2025–2026 license year data from huntinglicenseusa.com: the base Resident State Hunting license costs $30 and covers small game only. To hunt deer, turkey, or bear, hunters must add the Resident Big Game Privilege ($17), for a combined Comprehensive Hunting License cost of $47. Non-residents pay $119 for the base hunting license and another $119 for the Big Game Privilege — a total of $238 for deer and turkey access.
If you plan to hunt on public game lands, there is an additional cost. The Game Lands License ($25) is an additional requirement for hunting on North Carolina’s publicly managed Wildlife Management Areas.
Beyond the standard hunting license, coyote-specific permits come into play depending on where you hunt:
- Coyote Hunting Permit (five restricted counties): A Coyote Hunting or Coyote Depredation Permit is required for the taking of coyotes on private lands in the counties of Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington. To obtain a no-cost Coyote Hunting Permit, apply through the NCWRC’s online system.
- Night hunting on public lands (all other counties): From one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise, hunting coyotes on game lands is limited to permit hunts administered through the Permit Hunting Opportunities Program.
- Coyote Depredation Permit: To obtain a Coyote Depredation Permit, contact your local Wildlife Enforcement Officer or your District Biologist.
Coyote hunting permits are in addition to hunting licenses. Coyote hunting permits are valid for one season and expire June 30th each year.
| License / Permit | Who Needs It | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License (Comprehensive) | All resident hunters | $47 (2025–2026) |
| Nonresident Hunting License + Big Game Privilege | Out-of-state hunters | $238 (2025–2026) |
| Game Lands License | Anyone hunting on public WMAs | $25 |
| Coyote Hunting Permit (5 restricted counties) | Hunters in Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, Washington | No cost |
| Coyote Depredation Permit | Landowners dealing with livestock losses | No cost |
Youth under 16 hunt free. NC residents 70 and older receive a free lifetime Comprehensive Hunting and fishing license. Resident landowners may hunt their own property without a license but must register harvest.
Permit holders must report the take of coyotes to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission within 24 hours of killing each individual coyote. The easiest way to report is online, or you can call 919-707-0040 or 800-662-7137 for further assistance.
Legal Methods and Weapons for Coyote Hunting in North Carolina
Coyotes can be hunted year-round using firearms and archery equipment. However, check to see if local ordinances restrict the discharge of firearms. North Carolina gives hunters considerable latitude in terms of legal methods, which makes coyote hunting attractive to a wide range of hunters.
Here is a breakdown of legal and restricted methods under state law:
- Firearms: Rifles, shotguns, and handguns are all legal for coyote hunting. Fully automatic weapons are prohibited. Suppressors are legal.
- Archery: Archery equipment is fully legal for coyote hunting statewide and can be used at any time of year.
- Electronic calls: Electronic or recorded calls are legal for crows, coyotes, and feral swine hunting.
- Artificial lights: Artificial lights may be used for taking feral swine and coyotes at night where legal.
- Baiting: Baiting is not permitted on Game Lands or National Forests in North Carolina. Baiting is prohibited on these lands to ensure compliance with local wildlife management laws and maintain safety.
Common Mistake: Hunters sometimes assume that because coyotes have no closed season, all standard hunting restrictions are lifted. Local county and municipal ordinances on firearm discharge still apply. Always check with your county sheriff’s office or local government before hunting near residential areas or roads.
On public game lands, weapon restrictions from other concurrent open seasons may apply. On game lands, from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset, coyotes may be taken by properly licensed hunters during any open season for taking game animals and game birds using weapons that are lawful for the open game animal or game bird seasons.
For hunters interested in how weapon rules compare in nearby states, see hunting laws in Indiana and hunting laws in Arkansas.
Night Hunting and Electronic Call Rules in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of the more permissive states when it comes to night hunting for coyotes, but the rules differ sharply between private and public land — and between counties.
Private land statewide (except the five restricted counties): Coyotes may be taken on private lands anytime during the day or night. Hunters may use electronic calls and artificial lights to take coyotes.
Public game lands (all counties except the five restricted ones): Coyotes may be taken on public lands without a permit from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset, and with a permit from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. You must obtain the free night hunting permit through the NCWRC before hunting after dark on public lands.
The five restricted counties (Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, Washington): Hunting of coyote at night in the area covered by the coyote hunting permit is not legal. In these counties, any special hunt for coyotes shall only allow hunting from the hours of one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
Coyotes may be hunted at night with artificial lights except in the counties of Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington.
Key Insight: Thermal optics and night vision equipment are increasingly popular for night coyote hunting in North Carolina. Coyotes may be hunted day or night year-round in North Carolina. Night hunting is permitted with the use of artificial lights and night vision or thermal optics, except on some specific public lands that may restrict nighttime methods.
Also note that contests or competition coyote hunts on public lands are prohibited. You can participate in coyote hunting competitions, but they must be held on private land.
If you hunt other species at night or are curious about related regulations in the region, the hunting laws in Minnesota and hunting laws in Montana pages offer useful comparisons for night hunting rules across different states.
Trapping Coyotes in North Carolina
Trapping is a legal and commonly used method for managing coyote populations in North Carolina, particularly for landowners dealing with ongoing depredation problems. The rules governing coyote trapping are layered with both statewide and county-specific provisions.
Coyotes may be trapped during the statewide regular trapping season and during any fox trapping season established by statute or by local law using methods described in statute, even when those seasons open prior to and extend after the regular trapping seasons.
Key trapping rules to follow:
- Trap labeling and daily checks: If traps are used, they must be labeled as required by North Carolina statute, checked daily, and any animals caught must be removed.
- Non-target wildlife: All non-target wildlife must be released immediately onsite. However, any red wolf that is captured must be released onsite unless the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorizes otherwise.
- Live-trapped coyotes: Live-trapped foxes and coyotes shall not be held for more than 30 days after capture and shall be provided drinking water, food of a type and quantity appropriate for the species, and shelter that protects them from direct sunlight and precipitation.
- Transportation of live coyotes: Licensed trappers and any individual transporting live foxes and coyotes for live sale shall have a current and valid transportation permit prior to taking possession of the live foxes and coyotes, including removing the animal from the trap.
- Record keeping: Licensed trappers shall keep accurate written records on a form provided by the Commission for each fox or coyote sold or transferred to a licensed fox preserve.
A trapping license is required to trap coyotes in North Carolina. As of the most recent fee schedule reported by the Cherokee Scout (reflecting NCWRC fee updates that took effect July 1): the Resident State Trapping License increased from $32 to $38. The Nonresident State Trapping License is $133.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s Furbearer Cooperator Program seeks skull and carcass donations from trappers to help study wildlife populations. Participants who donate bobcat, otter, coyote, fox, raccoon, mink, or other furbearer specimens receive an age report and commemorative patch.
Similarly, the NCWRC asks that hunters submit hair samples from successful coyote harvests to help with the canid genetic study. Approximately 20 hairs with follicles should be collected by pulling and placing in an envelope.
For more on how trapping regulations work in nearby states, visit the hunting laws in Kansas and hunting laws in Idaho pages.
Landowner Rights and Depredation Rules in North Carolina
If coyotes are targeting your livestock, poultry, or pets, North Carolina law gives landowners meaningful tools to address the problem quickly. The rules for landowners differ in some important ways from the rules for recreational hunters.
Hunting on your own property without a license: A landowner (and their spouse and dependents under 18 living with them) in North Carolina can hunt on their own property without purchasing a hunting license, but must still follow all season dates, bag limits, tagging, and weapon rules. For coyotes specifically, since there is no closed season or bag limit, this exemption is quite broad.
Inviting hunters onto your property: You can invite a licensed hunter onto your property. Coyotes can be hunted year-round using firearms and archery equipment. This is often the fastest solution for landowners who do not want to hunt themselves but need coyote numbers reduced.
Coyote Depredation Permit: For more serious or ongoing depredation situations, landowners in the five restricted counties can apply for a Coyote Depredation Permit. On private lands, coyotes may be taken from the hours of one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset with legal weapons or traps. Taking of coyotes from one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise in the area covered by the coyote depredation permit is by trap only.
All individuals exercising the authority granted by the coyote depredation permit shall carry a copy of the coyote depredation permit.
Property access rules: The establishment of open seasons does not obligate the private landowner to allow hunting on his or her property, nor does it eliminate the ethical requirement for obtaining permission from the landowner before hunting. If you are a hunter — not the landowner — you must always get written permission before accessing private land.
Pro Tip: If you are a landowner in the five restricted counties dealing with coyote depredation, contact your local NCWRC District Biologist directly. They can walk you through the depredation permit process and advise on the most effective legal control methods for your specific situation.
Disposal of harvested coyotes: All coyotes euthanized must be disposed of in a sanitary manner. There is no requirement to keep the pelt or carcass, but harvest reporting to the NCWRC within 24 hours remains mandatory for permit holders.
For related North Carolina wildlife and animal law topics, you may also find these resources helpful: roadkill laws in North Carolina, pet laws in North Carolina, leash laws in North Carolina, turkey hunting season in North Carolina, and dove hunting season in North Carolina.