Coyote Hunting Laws in Montana: What Every Hunter Needs to Know
August 1, 2026
Montana is one of the most hunter-friendly states in the country when it comes to coyote hunting, and the rules are refreshingly straightforward compared to most other species. Coyotes can be shot in Montana year-round without a license by both residents and nonresidents — a direct result of the state classifying coyotes as predators under Montana statute, alongside weasel, striped skunk, and civet cat.
That said, “no license required” does not mean “no rules.” Access, trapping, and land-type distinctions all create compliance obligations that every hunter needs to understand before heading out. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned Montana predator hunter, knowing exactly where and how you can legally pursue coyotes will keep you in the field and out of trouble.
This guide covers all the regulations governing coyote hunting in Montana — from season dates and weapon rules to night hunting, trapping, and landowner depredation rights. For a broader look at Montana’s overall hunting framework, see the hunting laws in Montana overview.
Is Coyote Hunting Legal in Montana?
Yes — coyote hunting is fully legal in Montana, and the state’s classification of coyotes as predators gives hunters far more flexibility than most other states allow. Predator shooting is not regulated by federal or state law or regulation, and coyotes can be shot year-round without a license by both resident and nonresident hunters.
The coyote (Canis latrans) falls under a specific legal category in Montana that separates it entirely from game animals and furbearers. Predators and nongame species are unprotected by federal and/or state law or regulation and can be hunted in Montana year-round without a license by both resident and nonresident hunters. This classification is what makes Montana one of the most accessible states in the country for predator hunting.
There are no FWP fees required to shoot nongame predator species including coyotes, weasels, and skunks. Nonresident hunters pay $0 in license fees for coyote shooting specifically. However, land access rules and trapping regulations introduce important distinctions that every hunter must follow regardless of residency status.
Pro Tip: Always confirm land ownership and access status before you hunt. Montana FWP’s Hunt Planner map is a practical starting point, but hunters remain personally responsible for verifying land boundaries and any applicable restrictions.
Coyote Hunting Season Dates in Montana
Montana imposes no closed season on coyote hunting. Predator shooting is not regulated by federal or state law or regulation, and predators can be shot year-round without a license by both resident and nonresident hunters. This means you can pursue coyotes in January, July, or any other month — there is no calendar restriction on when you can hunt them.
There are also no bag limits. Montana classifies coyotes as predators, meaning you may hunt them year-round without a license and there are no bag limits. You can take as many coyotes as you want in a single outing, provided you are hunting legally and with proper land access.
The year-round, no-bag-limit structure makes Montana a prime destination for predator hunters looking to maximize their time in the field. Winter months — particularly December through February — tend to be the most productive, as coyotes are more vocal during breeding season and their fur is at peak quality. For comparison with how other states structure their seasons, see the coyote hunting laws in Colorado.
| Regulation Category | Montana Rule |
|---|---|
| Open Season | Year-round |
| Bag Limit | None |
| License Required (Shooting) | No — residents and nonresidents |
| License Required (Trapping) | Yes — nonresidents require a Nonresident Trapping License |
| State Trust Lands | Conservation License required |
License and Permit Requirements for Coyote Hunting in Montana
For shooting coyotes with a firearm or archery equipment, the license requirements are minimal. Predator shooting is not regulated by federal or state law or regulation, and predators can be shot in Montana year-round without a license by both resident and nonresident hunters. This applies regardless of the weapon you use to shoot them.
The one exception involves state school trust lands. A Conservation License, or a state school trust lands recreational use license, is required to shoot predators on state school trust lands. The Conservation License is a prerequisite for most other Montana hunting licenses anyway, so many hunters already carry one. You need a special State Lands Recreational Use License to recreate on state school-trust property, and this includes shooting predatory and nongame wildlife.
Nonresident hunters should also be aware of one important trapping distinction. Nonresidents are required to purchase a Nonresident Trapping License to take nongame or predatory species using traps and/or snares. This requirement does not apply to shooting, only to trapping methods.
Important Note: International visitors face an additional requirement. International visitors must purchase a state Conservation License in order to bring firearms across the international border. Contact U.S. Customs or U.S. Border Patrol for additional entry requirements.
Montana’s general hunting license structure is layered — the state uses a stacked license structure where a hunter usually has to satisfy multiple prerequisites before reaching the species license, with FWP listing a Conservation License as a prerequisite for all hunting licenses. For coyote shooting specifically, however, you bypass most of that structure entirely since no hunting license is needed.
Legal Methods and Weapons for Coyote Hunting in Montana
Montana places very few restrictions on the methods and weapons you can use to hunt coyotes. Because coyotes are classified as predators rather than game animals, the weapon restrictions that apply to deer, elk, and other game species do not govern coyote hunting in the same way.
Rifles, shotguns, and handguns are all legal. On certain federal refuges in Montana, specific weapon rules may apply — on some designated refuge areas, fox and coyote hunters may only use centerfire rifles, rimfire rifles, or shotguns with approved nontoxic shot, and hunters must possess and carry a refuge Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G) to hunt fox and coyote. Always verify the specific rules for any federal refuge before hunting there.
Electronic calls are legal for coyote hunting on most lands. It is lawful to use recorded or electrically amplified bird or animal calls or sounds, or imitations of bird or animal calls or sounds, to assist in the hunting, taking, killing, or calling of coyotes. Decoys are also permitted. The use of decoys, electronic calls, and lights for night hunting are all allowed, but permission is needed for hunting on private land.
One important safety reminder from Montana FWP: bullets can travel a long distance, so be sure no roads, buildings, or other structures are in the background before you take a shot. This is especially relevant on open prairie terrain where shots can carry far.
For a look at how weapon rules differ in neighboring states, see the coyote hunting laws in Washington and coyote hunting laws in Arizona.
Night Hunting and Electronic Call Rules in Montana
Night hunting for coyotes in Montana is a topic where sources present some conflicting information, and hunters should contact Montana FWP directly to confirm current rules before hunting after dark. The core regulatory framework is that coyotes are unregulated predators, meaning restrictions that apply to game animals at night do not automatically apply to coyotes.
Montana permits night hunting for predators including coyotes year-round on private land with landowner permission. However, some sources note additional equipment restrictions. Montana specifically prohibits the use of thermal imaging devices for hunting, which is a notable restriction given how widely thermal optics are used in other western states for nighttime predator hunting.
Night hunting is prohibited for coyotes in certain contexts, and artificial light use is not allowed without special permits on some land types. The rules can differ between private land, public land, and federal refuges, so verifying the specific land category you plan to hunt is essential.
Electronic calls, by contrast, are broadly permitted for coyote hunting. You can hunt at night with or without lights for predators and nongame species — as long as it is not game or furbearers, electronic calls are also permitted. On federal refuge lands within Montana, electronic calls are specifically permitted for coyote hunting.
Pro Tip: Because night hunting rules for coyotes in Montana are not always spelled out clearly in the printed regulations, calling your local FWP office or game warden before your first night hunt is a smart move. It never hurts to let the local FWP officer know that you are headed out and what area you will be in.
To see how Montana compares with states that have clearly defined night hunting frameworks, check the coyote hunting laws in Texas and coyote hunting laws in Wisconsin.
Trapping Coyotes in Montana
Trapping coyotes in Montana is legal but subject to different rules than shooting. The key distinction is residency: residents face fewer requirements than nonresidents when it comes to trapping predators.
Nonresidents are required to purchase a Nonresident Trapping License to take nongame or predatory species using traps and/or snares. Resident trappers do not face the same license requirement for coyotes specifically, though they must follow all applicable trapping regulations. Trapping regulations for furbearers and wolves are separate from coyote-specific rules, so hunters focused on coyotes should consult the predator shooting regulations rather than the furbearer trapping booklet.
Montana’s trapping framework is well-developed. Trapping is highly regulated, biologically sustainable, and an important part of Montana’s cultural history and outdoor lifestyle. General trapping rules that apply to all species include equipment labeling, humane check intervals, and proper disposal of non-target captures.
- Nonresidents must purchase a Nonresident Trapping License before using any trap or snare on coyotes
- Residents may trap coyotes without a specific license, but must follow general trapping conduct rules
- The capture of any animal that cannot be lawfully trapped, including domestic animals, must be reported to FWP within 24 hours
- Traps set on state school trust lands require the appropriate State Lands Recreational Use License
- Private land trapping always requires explicit landowner permission
If you are also interested in trapping other furbearers or wolves while in Montana, those species carry additional licensing requirements. Trapping furbearers or hunting and chasing bobcat requires a license that must be purchased by November 30 of the relevant season year. Coyotes, however, fall outside the furbearer category and are not subject to those same season-specific license deadlines.
For a comparison of trapping rules in other states, see the coyote hunting laws in Minnesota and coyote hunting laws in Michigan.
Landowner Rights and Depredation Rules in Montana
Montana landowners have broad authority to deal with coyotes on their property, and the state’s predator classification makes this one of the more permissive frameworks in the country for property owners experiencing livestock or agricultural losses.
Because coyotes are unregulated predators, any landowner or their authorized agent can shoot coyotes on their own property at any time without a license. Permission must be obtained to shoot predators on private land — which means that while landowners themselves have unrestricted access, anyone else hunting on that property must obtain explicit landowner permission before doing so.
Under Montana law (MCA 87-6-415), a person may not hunt or attempt to hunt predatory animals while on private property without first obtaining permission of the landowner, the lessee, or their agents. Regardless of whether the land is posted or not, hunters must have permission from the landowner, lessee, or their agent before hunting on private property.
For ranchers dealing with persistent coyote depredation on livestock, the combination of no license requirement, no bag limit, and year-round open season provides significant flexibility. Experienced coyote hunters should consider asking landowners for permission to hunt private properties, as many ranchers and rural residents are happy to have someone remove a few coyotes. The key is to be respectful and follow the landowner’s rules to the letter.
For livestock losses involving wolves — which are sometimes misidentified as coyote predation — Montana has a separate framework. If you suspect a livestock loss due to wolf predation, you can request an investigation by contacting USDA Wildlife Services at the West District (406) 459-5943 or State Office (406) 657-6464. Correctly identifying the predator species matters, since wolves carry strict licensing and reporting requirements that coyotes do not.
Montana’s FWP Predator Shooting page is the authoritative source for current rules and any updates. Hunters should also review the Montana FWP Hunting Regulations page for the most recent regulation booklets, as the Fish and Wildlife Commission reserves the right to amend seasons and rules when wildlife management conditions require it.
If you hunt coyotes in multiple states, these state-by-state guides offer useful comparisons: coyote hunting laws in Ohio, coyote hunting laws in Indiana, coyote hunting laws in Georgia, and coyote hunting laws in Virginia.
Final Thoughts on Coyote Hunting in Montana
Montana’s approach to coyote hunting is built around the state’s predator classification, which removes most of the licensing and seasonal barriers that hunters face in other states. No license, no bag limit, and no closed season make Montana one of the easiest states to hunt coyotes legally — but access rules, trapping requirements for nonresidents, and land-type distinctions still demand attention.
The most important rules to keep in mind: always secure landowner permission before hunting private land, carry a Conservation License if you plan to access state school trust lands, and obtain a Nonresident Trapping License if you are a nonresident planning to use traps or snares. Verify night hunting and artificial light rules directly with FWP or a local game warden before hunting after dark, as those rules involve some ambiguity between sources.
Regulations can change from season to season. Always confirm the current rules at Montana FWP’s official predator shooting page before your hunt. For how coyote regulations differ in other states, the coyote hunting laws in Missouri, coyote hunting laws in Pennsylvania, and coyote hunting laws in Tennessee pages offer practical comparisons.