Arizona is one of the most hunter-friendly states in the country when it comes to pursuing coyotes. With vast stretches of public land, diverse terrain ranging from Sonoran Desert lowlands to high-elevation pine forests, and a robust coyote population, the Grand Canyon State draws predator hunters from across the Southwest and beyond.
Before you load up and head out, you need to understand exactly what the law requires. Arizona’s coyote hunting regulations cover everything from licensing and shooting hours to night hunting restrictions and trapping rules — and getting any of it wrong can cost you. This guide breaks down the key rules so you can hunt legally and confidently.
Is Coyote Hunting Legal in Arizona?
Yes — coyote hunting is fully legal in Arizona, and the state treats it as one of the most open hunting opportunities available. Under Arizona law (A.R.S. 17-101), coyotes are classified as predatory mammals, alongside bobcats, foxes, and skunks. This classification is significant because it means coyotes receive minimal regulatory protection and are subject to very few hunting restrictions compared to game animals.
As Sandy Bahr, Director of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, explained to a legislative committee in February 2026: “Someone who has an Arizona hunting license can kill coyotes at any time of the year. There is no bag limit, it very much is unrestricted.” That statement reflects the core reality of Arizona’s approach to coyote management — the state views coyotes as an abundant predatory species that does not require the same protections as big game.
While coyote hunting is allowed throughout the state, there are some areas with restricted hunting access. National parks, wildlife refuges, and private properties without proper authorization are typically off-limits for hunting. Always verify the land status of your hunting area before heading out.
Key Insight: Arizona classifies coyotes as predatory animals, not game animals. This means no draw tags, no bag limits, and no closed season — but you still need a valid hunting license.
Coyote Hunting Season Dates in Arizona
Arizona does not impose a closed season on coyote hunting during daylight hours. The state offers year-round predator control with generous bag limits. Coyote, fox, bobcat, skunk, raccoon, badger, ringtail, and weasel can be taken July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 during daylight hours.
Night hunting, however, operates under a separate and more restricted schedule. For coyote-only night hunting, the Commission Order season runs from December 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026. Outside of those dates, hunting coyotes after dark is not permitted under the standard night hunting order.
Seasons are broken up into Daylight Shooting Hours and Daylong Shooting Hours — “daylong” means the 24-hour period between midnight and midnight. When a Commission Order opens a daylong season for specific units, hunters in those units can pursue coyotes around the clock during the authorized window.
Important Note: Season dates and open areas are set by Arizona Game and Fish Commission Orders, which can change from year to year. Always confirm current dates at azgfd.gov before your hunt.
Coyote hunting in Arizona is typically done during the colder months when the hides are prime for harvest. However, as the sport becomes more popular, hunters are extending their seasons into the spring and summer months. If you’re hunting for the pelt, late fall through early spring is your best window.
If you enjoy hunting other predators in other states, it’s worth reviewing coyote and predator hunting laws in Montana or hunting regulations in Idaho for comparison.
License and Permit Requirements for Coyote Hunting in Arizona
A valid hunting license is required to pursue coyotes in Arizona regardless of where you hunt. Arizona residents and non-residents 10 years and older need a valid hunting license to hunt in Arizona. There is no special predator stamp or coyote-specific tag required — the standard hunting or combination license covers you.
Arizona residents and non-residents 10 years and older need a valid hunting license to hunt in Arizona. A person under 10 may hunt wildlife other than big game without a license when accompanied by a properly licensed person. No more than two unlicensed children may accompany any single license holder at one time.
As of the 2025–2026 season, a resident hunting license costs $37, while a non-resident short-term combo license costs $20 per day or $160 per year. You can purchase your license online through the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website.
| Hunter Type | License Required | Approximate Fee (2025–2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Resident (age 10+) | Hunting or Combination License | $37 |
| Non-Resident (annual) | Hunting or Combination License | $160 |
| Non-Resident (short-term) | Short-Term Combo License | $20/day |
| Under age 10 | No license required (with licensed adult) | N/A |
The licensee must carry the license when participating in hunting or any other form of take. “Take” means pursuing, shooting, hunting, fishing, trapping, killing, capturing, snaring, or netting wildlife. Keep your license on your person at all times while in the field.
Note that bobcats are the only predator also classified as a furbearer, with an export tag required to ship a bobcat pelt out of state. Coyotes do not require any export documentation.
If you’re interested in how other states handle predator licensing, see how the rules compare in Arkansas or Kansas.
Legal Methods and Weapons for Coyote Hunting in Arizona
Arizona gives hunters considerable flexibility when it comes to weapon choice for coyotes. Rifles, shotguns, and archery equipment are permitted, but certain areas may have restrictions, such as no lead ammunition zones. Crossbows are also an accepted method in most hunting areas.
- Rifles — the most common choice for open terrain; no magazine capacity restrictions for coyotes
- Shotguns — popular for close-range calling setups
- Handguns — legal for predator hunting in Arizona
- Archery equipment and crossbows — permitted statewide
- Muzzleloaders — legal where other firearms are allowed
The use of centerfire ammunition is prohibited within city limits, national parks, and certain wildlife areas. If you plan to hunt near developed or protected areas, confirm the specific ammunition rules for that zone before you go.
Pro Tip: When hunting in areas with livestock or near agricultural land, check for any county-level discharge ordinances that may restrict firearm use regardless of state law.
One important restriction that applies statewide: you cannot feed or bait coyotes in Arizona. Therefore, you cannot use baiting while hunting coyotes in Arizona. Electronic calls and hand calls remain legal, but placing food or attractants to lure coyotes is prohibited.
Traditionally, hunting coyotes during the day requires the hunter to be fully camouflaged to avoid being detected, as coyotes have excellent eyesight. Setting up in tree lines, brush piles, hay bales, and other visual breakups are ideal for keeping concealed.
For hunters curious about how weapon rules compare in neighboring states, check out the hunting laws in Virginia or Tennessee for a broader picture.
Night Hunting and Electronic Call Rules in Arizona
Night hunting for coyotes is legal in Arizona, but it comes with clear restrictions on both timing and equipment. The coyote-only night hunting season runs from December 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026. Outside of this window, hunting coyotes after dark is not authorized under the standard Commission Order.
Equipment rules for night hunting are strict. Night vision, thermal optics, scopes with illuminated reticles, and shooting or light scanning from a vehicle are illegal in Arizona. This is a critical point that surprises many out-of-state hunters who are accustomed to using thermal or night vision gear in other western states.
What is permitted for night hunting:
- Handheld or weapon-mounted kill lights (artificial lights aimed at the target)
- Electronic callers operated from a stationary position
- Standard firearm, shotgun, or archery equipment
What is prohibited for night hunting:
- Night vision devices
- Thermal imaging optics
- Illuminated reticle scopes
- Scanning for animals with a light from a vehicle
- Shooting from a vehicle
In Arizona, it is also illegal to hunt fox, bobcat, and mountain lion at night. If one of these animals responds to your coyote call after dark, you must not shoot. Only coyotes may be legally taken during the night hunting season.
Common Mistake: Using thermal or night vision optics during Arizona night hunts is illegal, even if you’re only using them to identify the animal before shooting. Leave that equipment at home.
Electronic calls are legal for coyote hunting in Arizona and widely used. Guided predator hunts in the state routinely involve an electronic caller and custom-made hand calls. There is no statewide restriction on the use of electronic calls for predatory animals like coyotes — they are specifically allowed under Arizona’s predator hunting framework.
One critical thing to keep in mind when coyote hunting during the day or night is wind direction. Coyotes rely heavily on their superb sense of smell and utilize it to their full advantage. Setting up with the proper wind direction and the ability to see in multiple directions will increase the odds of success.
You can also explore how night hunting regulations differ in other states, such as Ohio or Indiana.
Trapping Coyotes in Arizona
Trapping is a legal and regulated method for taking coyotes in Arizona, but it requires a separate license and comes with its own set of rules. Trappers need a separate trapping license, and bobcat pelts require sealing for export. The trapping license is distinct from a standard hunting license — holding one does not automatically grant trapping rights.
For trapping licenses, you need to take educational classes, though there are some exemptions. Arizona requires trapper education before a trapping license is issued, which covers humane trapping practices, species identification, and trap placement rules.
Key trapping season dates for the 2025–2026 season:
- Trapping opportunities for bobcat, fox, ringtail, weasel, and badger run August 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
- Coyotes may also be trapped during the general predatory animal season — confirm open areas and dates in the current AZGFD trapping regulation pamphlet.
No tags are required for most furbearers, though bobcat exports need proper documentation. For coyotes specifically, there is no tagging requirement and no bag limit on trapped animals.
The AZGFD trapping regulation pamphlet covers license requirements, wildlife that can be legally taken, season dates, open areas, game management units closed to trapping, trapper education requirements, and frequently asked questions. Review this document carefully before setting traps, as some Game Management Units are off-limits to trapping.
Important Note: Trapping on public land in Arizona is subject to specific unit restrictions. Some GMUs are closed to trapping entirely. Check the AZGFD trapping pamphlet for the closed unit list before placing any traps.
People who trap and guide need to report what species they’ve caught and how many clients they’ve served to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Outfitters and commercial trappers face additional reporting obligations beyond what recreational trappers must meet.
Landowner Rights and Depredation Rules in Arizona
Landowners and livestock operators in Arizona have specific rights when coyotes are causing damage to property or livestock. Understanding these rules matters whether you own the land or are hunting on someone else’s property.
You must have written and/or verbal permission from private landowners to hunt on their land. This includes crossing private lands by foot or vehicle to get to public and State Trust lands not otherwise accessible. Trespassing to access a hunting area — even if you’re targeting coyotes — is a violation of Arizona law.
When it comes to coyotes threatening livestock or property, Arizona’s depredation framework provides options. If the commission determines that harvest is necessary to relieve damage, it may establish special seasons or special bag limits, and either set reduced fees or waive license fees to crop that wildlife. If the commission determines that cropping by hunters is impractical, it may issue a special permit for taking that wildlife to the landowner, lessee, livestock operator, or municipality suffering damage.
For everyday situations where a coyote is actively threatening livestock or pets, Arizona law does allow for defensive action — but the rules still apply. If you don’t have a license, you can get a depredation permit after completing all the necessary paperwork.
Pro Tip: If coyotes are repeatedly targeting your livestock, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (602) 942-3000 to discuss your options. A Game Branch Officer can advise you on depredation permits and legal removal methods specific to your situation.
Regarding shooting proximity to structures: county islands are open to hunting provided the hunter does not discharge a firearm within one-quarter mile of an occupied farmhouse, residence, cabin, lodge, or building without permission of the owner or resident. This rule applies broadly across unincorporated areas, so always confirm your distance from occupied structures before taking a shot.
Incorporated areas carry additional restrictions. Within certain units, all incorporated lands — including private property within municipal boundaries — are closed to hunting unless opened under Commission Order. “Incorporated” includes all municipal and corporate limits.
Arizona also allows hunting on certain public land categories with some conditions. BLM areas are generally open to hunters in Arizona — check with the office of the area in question for more information. US Forest Service areas are open to hunters in Arizona, but these areas may be subject to controlled burning activity — check with the appropriate office before hunting in US Forest Service areas.
For more information on animal laws specific to Arizona, explore related topics like dog leash laws in Arizona, roadkill laws in Arizona, or dove hunting season in Arizona. You may also find it useful to compare predator hunting frameworks in other states, such as Minnesota or South Carolina.
Arizona’s coyote hunting laws strike a balance between open access and responsible regulation. A valid license, an understanding of shooting hours, and awareness of where you can legally hunt are the three pillars of staying compliant. When in doubt, verify current Commission Orders directly through the Arizona Game and Fish Department before heading into the field.