Coyote Hunting Laws in Arkansas: Season Dates, Licenses, and Rules
June 26, 2026
Arkansas is one of the most accessible states in the South for coyote hunters. The state has an open season for coyote hunting, allowing year-round hunting without specific seasonal limitations. Whether you’re calling across a Delta field edge or still-hunting a pine ridge in the Ozarks, you can pursue coyotes in the Natural State every month of the year — but the rules around timing, weapons, night hunting, and permits are specific enough that it pays to know them before you go.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) governs all furbearer hunting and trapping in the state. Understanding their regulations — especially the distinction between standard coyote hunting and the Predator Control Permit program — will keep you legal and help you hunt more effectively. This guide covers every major rule you need to know, sourced directly from AGFC regulations.
Is Coyote Hunting Legal in Arkansas?
Yes, coyote hunting is fully legal in Arkansas. Coyotes in Arkansas are classified as furbearers but can be hunted year-round with no bag limit. That combination — no closed season and no daily or possession limit — makes Arkansas an attractive destination for predator hunters from both in-state and out of state.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulates all coyote hunting activities in the state and is also in charge of wildlife management. Coyotes are classified as both a furbearer and a nuisance animal by the Commission. That dual classification reflects the animal’s role in Arkansas ecosystems: valued as a furbearer for trapping purposes, yet actively managed because of the pressure coyotes place on wild turkey, northern bobwhite, and other ground-nesting species.
Arkansas is home to a growing population of coyotes, a species that has adapted well to various environments, from the Ozark Mountains to the Delta flatlands. With their ability to adapt to farmland, forests, and even the outskirts of town, coyotes in Arkansas present both a challenge and an opportunity for hunters. If you’re also interested in broader hunting laws in Arkansas, the AGFC publishes a complete regulation digest each year.
Pro Tip: Always carry a printed or digital copy of your hunting license while afield. Arkansas law requires you to have proof of licensure on your person during any hunt.
Coyote Hunting Season Dates in Arkansas
Coyote hunting in Arkansas runs January 1 through December 31. Dogs are allowed to hunt coyote during the day, except during turkey season when no dogs are allowed. Coyote may not be hunted at night. That last point is critical and catches many hunters off guard — standard coyote hunting in Arkansas is a daytime-only activity unless you hold a Predator Control Permit (covered in detail below).
The daily limit is unlimited and possession is unlimited. There are no restrictions on how many coyotes you can take in a single outing or hold in possession at one time.
A few seasonal restrictions do apply within the year-round framework:
- Dogs are allowed to hunt coyotes during the day except during turkey season.
- Dogs are not allowed in deer zones where a firearms deer season is in progress that prohibits the use of dogs.
- During youth turkey hunts, only youth may take coyotes.
If you hunt coyotes in other states and want to compare frameworks, see our guides on coyote hunting laws in Missouri and coyote hunting laws in Tennessee — two neighboring states with different seasonal structures.
License and Permit Requirements for Coyote Hunting in Arkansas
Furbearer hunters and trappers 16 and older must have a valid Arkansas hunting license. This applies to both residents and non-residents. All hunters age 16 or older need a license to hunt in Arkansas. However, children under 16 years old can hunt without an Arkansas hunting license as long as they are accompanied by a licensed hunter at least 21 years old or older.
You can purchase licenses through several channels. Hunting licenses and all other necessary permits can be purchased over the counter at AGFC regional offices, nature centers, and many sporting goods stores across Arkansas. You may also call 501-223-6349 / 800-364-GAME (4263) or visit the AGFC website and click “Buy License.”
If you plan to hunt on public land, there is an additional requirement. A WMA General Use Permit is required to hunt in public lands. This permit is separate from your standard hunting license and must be obtained before accessing Wildlife Management Areas for any hunt.
| Hunter Type | Required License / Permit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident (age 16+) | Valid Arkansas Hunting License | Required for all coyote hunting |
| Non-Resident (age 16+) | Valid Arkansas Non-Resident Hunting License | Required for all coyote hunting |
| Youth (under 16) | No license required if accompanied by licensed adult 21+ | Free CID number required to check harvested game |
| Any hunter on public WMA land | Hunting License + WMA General Use Permit | Both required for public land access |
| Predator Control Permit applicant | Hunting License + PCP application | Must be 16+; landowner permission required |
Legal Methods and Weapons for Coyote Hunting in Arkansas
Coyotes may be taken during daylight hours with archery equipment, or any rifle or shotgun ammunition. That covers a wide range of legal tools — from compound and recurve bows to centerfire rifles and shotguns loaded with any legal shot size or slug.
Rifle selection depends on terrain. Flat-shooting rifles in .223, .22-250, and .243 are popular choices, offering reliable accuracy in both open and mixed terrain. Shotguns are well suited to thicker cover, particularly in creek bottoms and brushy transition zones common across central and southern Arkansas.
Firearms must be legal for hunting coyotes and may not include fully automatic weapons. Beyond that restriction, the AGFC places no specific caliber floor or ceiling on coyote hunting, giving you flexibility to match your firearm to the land you’re hunting.
Electronic calls are legal and widely used across Arkansas. Start with prey distress calls — rabbit, rodent, or bird sounds — and escalate to coyote vocalizations like lone howls or pup distress if needed. Decoys are also permitted and can improve your setup significantly, especially during daylight hunts when coyotes rely heavily on their eyes to confirm a sound source.
Pro Tip: Wind direction matters more than almost any other factor in a coyote setup. Position yourself downwind of your expected approach lanes and keep your calling sequences realistic in both volume and cadence.
Night Hunting and Electronic Call Rules in Arkansas
This is the section of Arkansas coyote law that generates the most confusion. Under standard regulations, coyote may not be hunted at night. That prohibition applies statewide to hunters operating under a regular hunting license alone. Night hunting for coyotes is only permitted through the AGFC’s Predator Control Permit (PCP) program.
The Commission Predator Control Permit (PCP) allows the permit holder to conduct year-round shooting during the day and night and trapping of bobcat, coyote, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, red fox, and striped skunk on private land for the purpose of removing predators that impact game species such as wild turkey and northern bobwhite.
Under the PCP, night hunting tools are permitted with specific conditions. Firearms of any caliber may be used during day or night to take these species. Artificial light may be used, except from a public road, to take these species at night. That means spotlighting from a vehicle on a public road remains prohibited even for PCP holders. Spotlighting from a vehicle is illegal unless specifically permitted for depredation control.
For PCP holders, there are no stated restrictions on night vision or thermal imaging equipment. There are no restrictions listed regarding the use of night vision or thermal vision equipment under the Predator Control Permit program. On public land, however, the standard prohibition on night hunting applies regardless of any private-land permit you hold.
Electronic calls remain legal under both standard regulations and the PCP. Electronic calls may be used to hunt coyotes in Arkansas. There is no restriction on call type, volume, or remote-operation devices.
To see how Arkansas compares to other states on night hunting rules, check our guides on coyote hunting laws in Texas and coyote hunting laws in Virginia.
Important Note: Night hunting for coyotes without a valid Predator Control Permit is unlawful in Arkansas, even on private land. The PCP is the only legal pathway to night coyote hunting in the state.
Trapping Coyotes in Arkansas
Trapping coyotes follows a different calendar than hunting. The coyote trapping season runs from sunrise on the first day of August through sunset on the last day of March. That is a longer window than most other furbearer trapping seasons in Arkansas, which reflects the AGFC’s interest in expanded predator management opportunities.
Like hunting, trapping carries no bag limit. Since coyotes are classified as a furbearer predatory species, there are no daily or annual bag limits on hunting coyotes in Arkansas. There are also no bag limits for trapping coyotes in Arkansas.
To trap legally, you must hold the correct permits. Furbearer hunters and trappers 16 and older must have a valid Arkansas hunting license. Resident trappers 16 and older must have a valid Resident Trapper Permit in addition to their hunting license. This permit is free. Nonresident trappers 16 and older must have a valid Nonresident Trapper Permit in addition to their hunting license.
Trap equipment must meet AGFC specifications. Smooth-jawed foothold traps with a jaw spread of 6¼ inches or less (traps in excess of 5 inches must have offset or rubber-padded jaws), body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of 6 inches or less, and box traps are permitted for land sets. For water sets, snares are allowed in water sets, though leg snares are prohibited.
All traps must be properly identified. Traps, including snares, must be tagged or marked with either the trapper’s name and address, their driver’s license number, their vehicle license plate number, or CID number. Additionally, traps must be checked daily except kill traps, which shall be checked within 72 hours.
For a side-by-side look at how trapping rules differ across the region, see our coverage of coyote hunting laws in Georgia and coyote hunting laws in Indiana.
Landowner Rights and Depredation Rules in Arkansas
Arkansas landowners have meaningful tools available when coyotes are actively preying on livestock, poultry, or game species. The most significant is the AGFC’s Predator Control Permit program, which goes beyond standard hunting rights to allow year-round, day-and-night removal.
To qualify for a PCP, you must meet several criteria. Applicants must be 16 years or older and possess a valid hunting license. The applicant must be the owner, immediate family of the owner, lessee, or have written permission from the landowner or lessee of the land upon which the permit will be used. Persons having their hunting or trapping privileges revoked are not eligible for a Predator Control Permit.
Once issued, the permit comes with its own set of operational rules. Permits are valid only on private land outside the limits of incorporated towns. Permits are valid from July 1 through June 30. You need to renew annually, and the permit does not extend to public land under any circumstances.
The AGFC also offers practical guidance on when and how to use the PCP most effectively. The Commission encourages landowners to first allow trappers to trap on their property during the regular trapping season in the winter, with efforts focused in January and February, to limit time for furbearers to recolonize vacated ranges before using a Predator Control Permit. Predator control will work better on larger properties — over 500 to 1,000 acres — as other animals will likely move in quickly after any removals are complete on smaller acreages.
For hunters on private land without a PCP, standard rules still apply: landowner permission is required to hunt coyotes on private property. Simply having access to land does not substitute for explicit written or verbal permission from the landowner or lessee.
If you hunt coyotes across multiple states, our guides on coyote hunting laws in Ohio, coyote hunting laws in Illinois, and coyote hunting laws in North Carolina cover landowner and depredation frameworks in those states.
Arkansas makes coyote hunting accessible, but the rules around night hunting, the Predator Control Permit, and trapping seasons require careful attention. Always verify the most current regulations directly through the AGFC furbearer regulations page before heading afield, as season structures and permit requirements can change from one regulation cycle to the next.