Can You Hunt Coyotes in California?

Want to know if you can hunt coyotes in California? If you don’t live in California you might be pleasantly surprised . The truth is that when it comes to coyote hunting, California has some of the best coyote hunting in the country.

Coyotes are considered nongame mammals in California and may be hunted all year. Night hunting with the use of artificial light is permitted. The use of electronic callers and decoys is also allowed. There are no bag limits. 

The law that let’s you hunt coyotes in California.

14 C.C.R. § 472 § 472. General Provisions.

Except as otherwise provided in Sections 478, 485, and subsections (a) through (d) below, nongame birds and mammals may not be taken.

(a) The following nongame birds and mammals may be taken at any time of the year and in any number except as prohibited in Chapter 6: English sparrow, starling, domestic pigeon (Columba livia) except as prohibited in Fish and Game Code section 3680, coyote, weasels, skunks, opossum, moles, and rodents (excluding tree and flying squirrels, and those listed as furbearers, endangered or threatened species).

Looking for a great book on how to call in a coyote? Check out Andrew Lewand’s book below. This book answers the most frequently asked question on the internet… What sounds are working right now? No matter which brand of call you use, the sequences in each chapter with boost your success rate!

Check out all the California hunting seasons.

Related: Learn the rules for hunting fox in California.

Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in California?

Yes, you need a license to hunt them whether you are a resident or nonresident of the state.  

To purchase a hunting license online, click here.

Need to track a wounded coyote? Check out this article.

Is there a coyote hunting season? Coyotes may be taken at any time of the year.

Is there a bag limit? No.

Are there any rules regarding possession? (a) Any nongame bird or mammal that has been legally taken pursuant to this chapter may be possessed.

Legal shooting hours when you hunt coyotes in California.

Nongame mammals may be taken at any time except as provided in this section.

· (a) Area Closed to Night Hunting. Nongame mammals may be taken only between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset in the following described area: Beginning at a point where Little Panoche Road crosses Interstate 5 near Mendota; south on Interstate 5 to Highway 198; east on Highway 198 to Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the Los Padres National Forest boundary in Section 8, T 9 N, R 19 W, S.B.B.M. near Fort Tejon Historical Monument; west along the National Forest boundary to Cerro Noroeste Road; northwest on Cerro Noroeste Road to Highway 33-166; north on Highway 33-166 to the Soda Lake Road; northwest on the Soda Lake Road and on the Simmler Soda Lake San Diego Creek Road to Highway 58 at Simmler; west on Highway 58 to the Cammotti Shandon Road; north on the Cammotti Shandon Road to the Shandon San Juan Road; north on the Shandon San Juan Road to Highway 41; northeast on Highway 41 to the Cholame Valley Road; northwest on Cholame Valley Road and Cholame Road to the Parkfield Coalinga Road in Parkfield; north on Parkfield Coalinga Road and Parkfield Grade to Highway 198; northwest on Highway 198 to the Fresno-Monterey county line; north along the Fresno-Monterey county and Fresno-San Benito county lines to the Little Panoche Road; north and east on the Little Panoche Road to the point of beginning at Interstate 5.

This section does not pertain to the legal take of nongame mammals with traps as provided for by Sections 461-480 of these regulations and by Sections 4000-4012, 4152, and 4180 of the Fish and Game Code. (This regulation supersedes Section 3000 of the Fish and Game Code.)

· (b) On privately-owned property, not included in (a) above, nongame mammals may be taken from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise only by the landowner or his agents, or by persons who have in their immediate possession written permission issued by the landowner or tenant that states the permittee can trespass from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise on property under the ownership or control of such landowners or tenants.

· (c) Fallow deer, axis deer, sambar deer, sika deer, aoudad, mouflon, tahr, and feral goats may be taken only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Methods of Taking for Nongame Birds and Nongame Mammals.

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Manners of taking coyotes in California.

Nongame birds and nongame mammals may be taken in any manner except as follows:

· (a) Poison may not be used.

· (b) Recorded or electrically amplified bird or mammal calls or sounds or recorded or electrically amplified imitations of bird or mammal calls or sounds may not be used to take any nongame bird or nongame mammal except coyotes, bobcats, American crows, and starlings.

· (c) Fallow deer, sambar deer, axis deer, sika deer, aoudad, mouflon, tahr, and feral goats may be taken only with the equipment and ammunition specified in Section 353 of these regulations.

· (d) Traps may be used to take nongame birds and nongame mammals only in accordance with the provisions of Section 465.5 of these regulations and sections 3003.1 and 4004 of the Fish and Game Code.

· (e) No feed, bait, or other material capable of attracting a nongame mammal may be placed or used in conjunction with dogs for the purpose of taking any nongame mammals. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an individual operating in accordance with the provisions of Section 465.5 from using a dog to follow a trap drag and taking the nongame mammal caught in that trap.

· (f) The take or attempted take of any nongame bird or nongame mammal with a firearm shall be in accordance with the use of nonlead projectiles and ammunition pursuant to Section 250.1 of these regulations.

Where is the best place to shoot a coyote? Find out here.

Can you use and electronic caller when you hunt coyotes in California?

Yes. Recorded or electrically amplified bird or mammal calls or sounds or recorded or electrically amplified imitations of bird or mammal calls or sounds may not be used to take any nongame bird or nongame mammal except coyotes, bobcats, American crows, and starlings.

The use of decoys is also permitted.

Legal firearms.

The take or attempted take of any nongame bird or nongame mammal with a firearm shall be in accordance with the use of nonlead projectiles and ammunition pursuant to Section 250.1 of these regulations.

Can you use bait when you hunt coyotes in California?

Baiting is allowed but not when using dogs. No feed, bait, or other material capable of attracting a nongame mammal may be placed or used in conjunction with dogs for the purpose of taking any nongame mammals. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an individual operating in accordance with the provisions of Section 465.5 from using a dog to follow a trap drag and taking the nongame mammal caught in that trap.

Learn how to make the perfect bait pile here.

Use of lead projectiles prohibited.

Prohibition on the Use of Lead Projectiles and Ammunition Using Lead Projectiles for the Take of Wildlife.

• (a) Purpose. This regulation phases in the requirements of Fish and Game Code Section 3004.5, which prohibits the use of any lead projectiles or ammunition containing lead projectiles when taking any wildlife with a firearm on or after July 1, 2019.
• (b) Definitions.

· (1) A projectile is any bullet, ball, sabot, slug, buckshot, shot, pellet, or other devices that are expelled from a firearm through a barrel by force.

· (2) Nonlead ammunition is any centerfire, shotgun, muzzleloading, or rimfire ammunition containing projectiles certified pursuant to subsection (b)(3) or subsection (f).

· (3) Shotgun ammunition containing pellets composed of materials approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as identified in Section 507.1 of these regulations, is considered certified.

· (4) A nonlead projectile shall contain no more than one percent lead by weight, as certified pursuant to subsection (b)(3) or subsection (f).

• (c) General Provisions.

· (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful to possess any projectile containing lead in excess of the amount allowed in subsection (b)(4) and a firearm capable of firing the projectile while taking or attempting to take wildlife.

· (2) The possession of a projectile containing lead in excess of the amount allowed in subsection (b)(4) without possessing a firearm capable of firing the projectile is not a violation of this section.

· (3) Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the possession of concealable firearms containing lead ammunition, provided that the firearm is possessed for personal protection and is not used to take or assist in the take of wildlife.

Calling coyotes during mating season? Read this.

Hunting coyotes in California from a vehicle is illegal.

Prohibition on Pursuing or Shooting Birds and Mammals from Motor-Driven Air or Land Vehicles, Motorboats, Airboats, Sailboats or Snowmobiles.

• (a) General Prohibition: No person shall pursue, drive, herd, or take any bird or mammal from any type of motor-driven air or land vehicles, motorboat, airboat, sailboat, or snowmobile. Additionally, no person shall use any motorized, hot-air, or unpowered aircraft or other device capable of flight or any earth orbiting imaging device to locate or assist in locating big game mammals beginning 48 hours before and continuing until 48 hours after any big game hunting season in the same area. No person shall use at any time or place, without Department approval, any computer, telemetry device or other equipment to locate a big game mammal to which a tracking device is attached. For purposes of this subsection “use” includes but is not limited to personal use or intent by another to obtain information from such personal use. Evidence of an act constituting a violation of this section includes but is not limited to flying slowly at low altitudes, hovering, circling or repeatedly flying over any area where big game may be found. Exceptions to this

· (1) When the motor of such motorboat, airboat, or sailboat has been shut off and/or the sails furled and its progress therefrom has ceased, and it is drifting, beached, moored, resting at anchor, or is being propelled by paddle, oar or pole.

· (2) When used by the landowner or tenant of private property to drive or herd game mammals for the purpose of preventing damage to private property.

· (3) Pursuant to a license from the department issued under such regulations as the commission may prescribe (see subsection 251(b) below).

• (b) Mobility Disabled Persons Motor Vehicle License

· (1) Applications: Applications for a Motor Vehicle Hunting License for mobility disabled persons shall be on a form supplied by the Department (Mobility Impaired Disabled Persons Motor Vehicle Hunting License Application, FG1460-10/95). The application shall include the applicant’s name, address, physical description, a description of the qualifying disability, and a certified statement from a licensed physician describing the applicant’s permanent disability. It shall be unlawful for any person to falsify an application for a Motor Vehicle Hunting License.

· (2) Terms of the License: The Motor Vehicle Hunting License shall specify conditions under which said license shall be used and shall include but not be limited to the following provisions:

· (A) The licensee shall be accompanied by an able bodied assistant who shall immediately retrieve, and tag if necessary, all game taken. (Possession of the licensee’s tag, required in this subsection, shall not be considered an unlawful possession of a tag or license issued to another person).

· (B) The assistant shall not possess a firearm, crossbow or archery equipment unless he/she is a licensed hunter and possesses any necessary license or tag for the area being hunted. The assistant shall not discharge a firearm or release a bolt or an arrow from the vehicle. If licensed, the assistant may dispatch wounded game which has moved out of range of the licensee.

· (C) The vehicle must be stopped and the engine must be shut off prior to the licensee discharging firearm or releasing a bolt from a crossbow or an arrow from archery equipment.

· (D) The licensee shall notify the Department, at the regional office having responsibility for the area where the licensee intends to hunt, at least 48 hours prior to hunting or contact the department’s 24-hour dispatcher at the number indicated on the license. The licensee shall specify the locality, vehicle description, and the approximate time frame during which such hunt shall take place.

· (E) The licensee or assistant shall not pursue any animal or drive or herd animals to any other hunters with a motor vehicle.

· (F) This license does not grant permission to trespass on private property or permission to use a motor vehicle while in any area where the use of motor vehicles is restricted or prohibited.

· (G) This license does not grant permission to discharge a firearm in any place or manner that would otherwise be unlawful, or to possess a loaded firearm in violation of any other city, county or state law.

· (H) The licensee shall have the license in possession while hunting from a motor vehicle.

· (3) License Fee: A license fee of $25.00, as adjusted annually pursuant to Section 713 of the Fish and Game Code, shall be charged for processing and issuing the Mobility Impaired Disabled Person Motor Vehicle Hunting License. Licenses shall be issued only by the Director or his/her designee. Licenses shall be permanent and have no expiration date.

Night hunting coyotes in California.

 Prohibition Against Night Hunting.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of these regulations, hunting wildlife from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise is prohibited in Monterey and San Benito counties east of Highway 101.

§264. Use of Lights While Hunting–Specific Areas.

• (a) Lights of any size or voltage may be used to take furbearing or nongame mammals only in the areas described in subsections (b) and (c) below, and only under the following conditions:

· (1) The use of lights for night hunting is prohibited in any area where the general deer season is open.

· (2) Furbearing mammals and nongame mammals may be taken with the aid of a spotlight or other artificial light operated from a vehicle provided such vehicle is stopped and standing with the motor off. No spotlight may be used from a vehicle which is on a public road or highway.

• (b) Zone 1. (Portions of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo and Yuba counties.)
• Area: Within the boundary beginning at the junction of Interstate 880 and Interstate 5 near Sacramento; east on Interstate 880 to its junction with Interstate 80; north and east on Interstate 80 to its junction with Highway 65 near Roseville, along Highway 65 to its junction with Highway 20 at Marysville; west on Highway 20 to its junction with Highway 45; north on Highway 45 to its junction with Highway 162; east on Highway 162 to its junction with Highway 99; north on Highway 99 to South Avenue near the town of Corning; west on South Avenue to Interstate 5 in Corning; north on Interstate 5 to Corning Road; west on Corning Road to Paskenta Road; west on the Paskenta Road to the town of Paskenta; southwest on the Round Valley Road to the Garland Road; south on the Garland Road to the town of Newville; south on the Newville-Elk Creek Road to the town of Elk Creek; south on the Elk Creek-Stonyford Road to the town of Stonyford; south on the Stonyford-Leesville Road to the town of Ladoga; south on the Stonyford-Leesville Road to the town of Leesville; south from Leesville on the Bear Valley Road to its intersection with Highway 20; east on Highway 20 to its intersection with Highway 16; south and east on Highway 16 to its intersection with Interstate 5; east on Interstate 5 to Interstate 880 and the point of beginning.
• (c) Zone 2. (Portions of Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono and San Bernardino counties and all of Imperial, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties.)
• Area: Inyo, Mono and Kern counties south and east of a line beginning at the junction of Highway 182 and the California-Nevada state line; south on Highway 182 to its junction with Highway 395; south on Highway 395 to its intersection with Highway 168 at Bishop; west on Highway 168 to its intersection with the Inyo National Forest boundary; south on the Inyo National Forest boundary to its junction with County Highway J41; south and east on County Highway J41 to its junction with Highway 395; south on Highway 395 to its junction with Highway 14 near Inyokern; south on Highway 14 to its junction with Highway 178 at Freeman; west on Highway 178 to its junction with the Bodfish-Caliente Road at Isabella; south on the Bodfish-Caliente Road to its junction with Highway 58; east on Highway 58 to its junction with the Los Angeles Aqueduct; south and west on the Los Angeles Aqueduct Road to its junction with 265th Street West near Neenach; south on 265th Street West to its junction with the Elizabeth Lake-Pine Canyon Road at Three Points; east along the Elizabeth Lake-Pine Canyon Road to its junction with Highway 14 at Palmdale; south on Highway 14 to its intersection with the Angeles Forest Highway; south on the Angeles Forest Highway to the Mill Creek Summit Road; east and south on the Mill Creek Summit Road to its intersection with the Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2) at Upper Chilao Campground; east on the Angeles Crest Highway to its intersection with the Los Angeles-San Bernardino county line; north on the Los Angeles-Kern-San Bernardino county line to its intersection with Highway 58; east on Highway 58 to its intersection with the range line between R3W and R4W; south along the range line between R3W and R4W to the southeast corner of T8N, R4W; east along T8N to its intersection with the west boundary of the U.S. Marine Corps Training Center; south and east on that boundary to its intersection with Giant Rock Road; east along Giant Rock Road to a point where it turns southeast and corresponding with a projected north extension of Sunfair Road; south on Sunfair Road and its projected extension to the San Bernardino-Riverside county line; and all of Imperial, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties.

§264.5. Use of Lights While Hunting–Remainder of State.

Lights may be used, in those portions of the state not listed in Section 264, to take furbearers and nongame mammals under the following conditions only:

• (a) Only 9 volt lights or smaller, hand-held or worn on the head are permitted.
• (b) Persons using such lights must be on foot.
• (c) Lights may not be used in or from a vehicle and may not be attached or powered from any source other than self-contained batteries.
• (d) A landowner or tenant suffering damage to livestock or other property by furbearing mammals or nongame mammals may designate, in writing, persons allowed by such landowner or tenant to use artificial lights in excess of 9 volts to assist in taking the depredating mammals. The landowner or tenants shall notify the closest fish and game office whenever furbearing or nongame mammals are taken under this authority.

No furbearing or nongame mammals including any threatened, endangered or fully protected species may be taken contrary to any other prohibition set forth in these regulations.

Using dogs to hunt coyotes in California.

§265. Use of Dogs for Pursuit/Take of Mammals or for Dog Training.

• (a) Prohibitions on the use of dogs. The use of dogs for the pursuit/take of mammals or for dog training is prohibited as follows:

· (1) The use of dogs is prohibited during the archery seasons for deer or bear.

· (2) The use of dogs is prohibited for the take of bear, bobcat, elk, bighorn sheep and antelope.

· (3) Mountain lions may not be pursued with dogs except under the provisions of a depredation permit issued pursuant to Section 4803 of the Fish and Game Code. Bear or bobcat may not be pursued with dogs except under the provisions of a permit issued pursuant to sections 3960.2 or 3960.4 of the Fish and Game Code. Dog training on mountain lions is prohibited.

· (4) The use of dogs for the pursuit/take of mammals or for dog training is prohibited from the first Saturday in April through the day preceding the opening of the general deer season in the following dog control zones:

· (A) Central California Dog Control Zone: Napa County north of Highway 128 and east of Highway 29; Lake County east of a line beginning at the Lake-Napa county line and Highway 29; northwest on Highway 29 to Highway 53. From Highway 53 turn northwest on Highway 20; northwest on Highway 20 to the Lake-Mendocino county line; north on the Lake-Mendocino county line to the Lake-Glenn county line; south on Lake-Glenn county line to the Lake-Colusa county line; south on the Lake-Colusa county line to the Lake-Yolo county line; southwest on the Lake-Yolo county line to the Lake-Napa county line; west on the Lake-Napa county line to the starting point. Mendocino County east of Highway 101, and north of Highway 20. Sierra and Alpine counties and those portions of Nevada, Placer, Amador and Calaveras counties east of Highway 49; and El Dorado County east of the following line: Beginning at the junction of Highway 49 and the Placer-El Dorado county line; south on Highway 49 to Highway 193 at Cool; east and south along Highway 193 to Highway 49 in Placerville; south on Highway 49 to the Amador-El Dorado county line; east on the El Dorado-Amador county line to the Alpine-El Dorado county line; east on the Alpine-El Dorado county line to the California –Nevada state line; north on the California-Nevada state line to the Placer-El Dorado county line; west on the Placer-El Dorado county line to the starting point.

· (B) Northern California Dog Control Zone: Plumas and Trinity counties. Butte County east of the following line: Beginning at the junction of Highway 99 and the Butte-Tehama county line; south and east along Highway 99 to Highway 149; south and east along Highway 149 to Highway 70; south along Highway 70 to the Butte-Yuba county line; east on the Butte-Yuba county line to the Butte-Plumas county line; north on the Butte-Plumas county line to the Butte-Tehama county line southwest on the Butte-Tehama county line to the starting point.

Del Norte County east of Highway 101. Glenn County west of a line beginning at the intersection of County Road 200 and the Glenn-Tehama county line; southeast on County Road 200 to County Road 306; south along County Road 306 to the Colusa-Glenn county line; west on the Colusa-Glenn county line to the Glenn-Lake county line; northwest on the Glenn-Lake county line to the Glenn-Mendocino county line; north on the Glenn-Mendocino county line to the Glenn-Tehama county line; east on the Glenn-Tehama county line to the starting point. Humboldt County north of Highway 36 and east of Highway 101. Siskiyou County south and west of the line defined as follows: Beginning at the Oregon-California state line at Interstate 5, proceed south on Interstate 5 to Highway 97 at the town of Weed; north on Highway 97 to Meiss Lake Road near the town of Macdoel; east on Meiss Lake Road to Old State Highway; south on Old State Highway to Redrock Road; east on the Redrock Road (forest service road 15[8Q03] to Willow Creek Red Rock Road; north on Willow Creek Red Rock Road to the Gold Digger Pass Road (N8U01); east on the Gold Digger Pass Road to the western boundary of the Lava Beds National Monument; north and east on said boundary to the Siskiyou-Modoc county line; south on the Siskiyou-Modoc county line to the Siskiyou-Shasta county line; west on the Siskiyou-Shasta county line to the Siskiyou-Trinity county line; west on the Siskiyou-Trinity county line to the Siskiyou-Humboldt county line; northwest on the Siskiyou-Humboldt county line to the Siskiyou-Del Norte county line; north on the Siskiyou-Del Norte county line to the California-Oregon state line; east on the California-Oregon state line to the starting point. Shasta County south and west of Highway 89 and north of the line defined as follows: Beginning at the Shasta-Tehama county line and Highway 36 near the town of Beegum, go west on Highway 36 to County Road A16; north on County Road A16 to Pine Street in the city of Redding; north on Pine Street to Eureka Way (Highway 299); west on Eureka Way (Highway 299) to Highway 273; north on Highway 273 to Interstate 5; north on Interstate 5 to the south shore of Shasta Lake; east and north along the southern shore of Shasta Lake to Fender’s Ferry Road; southeast on Fender’s Ferry Road to Highway 299; southwest on Highway 299 to Oakrun Road; southwest on the Oakrun Road to Fern Road in the town of Oakrun; northeast on the Oakrun Road to Fern Road to the town of Fern; south and west on Fern Road to Whitmore Road; east on Whitmore Road to the town of Whitmore. From Whitmore Road turn south on Ponderosa Way to Innwood Road; Innwood Road to Highway 44 near Innwood; east on Highway 44 to Wilson Hill Road; south on Wilson Hill Road to Rock Creek Road; south on Rock Creek Road to the Shasta-Tehama county line; east along the Shasta-Tehama county line to Highway 89; North on Highway 89 to the Shasta-Siskiyou county line; west along the Shasta-Siskiyou county line to the Shasta-Trinity county line; southeast along the Shasta-Trinity county line to the Shasta-Tehama county line; east along the Shasta-Tehama county line to the starting point. The following portions of Tehama County : Those portions of Tehama County within the Mendocino National Forest and east of Ponderosa Way . Those portions of Tehama County within the Lassen National Forest. Those portions of Tehama County east of Ponderosa Way . Those portions of Lassen County north and west of the following line: North from the Lassen-Sierra county line on Highway 395 to Highway 36 east of Susanville; northwest on Highway 36 to Highway 139; north on Highway 139 to the Lassen-Modoc county line; west along the Lassen-Modoc county line to the Lassen-Shasta county line; south along the Lassen-Shasta county line to the Plumas-Lassen county line; southeast along the Plumas-Lassen county line to the Lassen-Sierra county line; east along the Lassen-Sierra county line to the starting point.

· (C) Southern Sierra Dog Control Zone: Those portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno and Tulare counties east of the following line beginning at the intersection of Highway 49 and the Calaveras-Tuolumne county line; south on Highway 49 to Highway 108; southwest on Highway 108 to Highway 120; east on Highway 120 to the Smith Station Road (J20); south on the Smith Station Road (J20) to the Greeley Hill Road; east on the Greeley Hill Road to the Briceburg Road; east on Briceburg Road to the North Fork of the Merced River at Bower Cave; south on the North Fork of the Merced River to Road 3S15 (Black Mountain Road/Ponderosa Way); south on Road 3S15 (Ponderosa Way) to Forest Service Road 3S02 (Ponderosa Way) crossing the U.S. Forest Service-Bureau of Land Management property boundary in Section 28 located in Township 3S, Range 18E to Forest Service Road 2S05 (Bull Creek Road); south on Forest Service Road 2S05 (Bull Creek Road) to the Main Fork of the Merced River; west on the Main Fork of the Merced River to the southern boundary of Lake McClure; west on the southern boundary of Lake McClure to Highway 49; south on Highway 49 to Highway 140 at Mariposa; north on Highway 140 to the South Fork of the Merced River; east along the South Fork of the Merced River to Hite Cove Trail at Hite Cove. From Hite Cove south on the U.S. Forest Service Road (Hite Cove Trail) to Hite Cove Road; south on Hite Cove Road to Scott Road; south on Scott Road to Jerseydale Road; south on Jerseydale Road through Jerseydale Station and Darrah to the Darrah Road; south along Darrah Road to Highway 49; south along Highway 49 to Highway 41 at Oakhurst; north along Highway 41 to its intersection with the Bass Lake Road at Yosemite Forks; south along Bass Lake Road to Road 274; south on Road 274 past Bass Lake on the east side of the lake to the junction with the Mammoth Pool Road at North Fork; west on Mammoth Pool Road to Road 222 (Auberry Road); south on Road 222 (Auberry Road) to the San Joaquin River; east along the San Joaquin River to Italian Bar Road (Road 225) at the Italian Bar Bridge; south on Italian Bar Road (Road 225) to Jose Basin Road (County Road M2441); east on Jose Basin Road (County Road M2441) to its intersection with Forestry Service Roads 8S08 (Railroad Grade Road) and 9S07 (Jose Basin Road); south on 9S07 (Jose Basin Road) to Jose Basin/Musick Farm Road; southeast on 9S07 to Auberry Road near Pine Ridge; east on Auberry Road to North Toll House Road; south on North Toll House Road to Peterson Road; east on Peterson Road to Big Creek Road; east on Big Creek Road (10S02) near Peterson Mill to Dinkey-Trimmer Road (10S69 Trimmer Springs Road) at Haslett Basin; east on Dinkey-Trimmer Road (10S69) to Sycamore Springs Road (11S02); east on Sycamore Springs Road (11S02) to Black Rock Road (11S12) at Balch Camp; east on the Black Rock Road (11S12) to the decommissioned 11S07 (the old Rodgers Ridge Road) at Black Rock Reservoir Dam; east along decommissioned 11S07 (old Rodgers Ridge Road) to Garlic Spur; south on Garlic Spur to the Kings River; west along the Kings River to Verplank Ridge; south on Verplank Ridge-Hoise Ridge to Forest Route 13S65; southeast on Forest Route 13S65 to Forest Route 13S03; southeast on Forest Route 13S03 to Highway 180 near Cherry Gap; south along Highway 180 to the north boundary of Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park; south along the western boundary of Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park to the northern boundary of Sequoia National Forest between Grouse Peak and Dennison Mountain; south along the common line between R29E and R30E, M.D.B.M. to the boundary of the Sequoia National Forest; east and south along that boundary to Balch Park Road; southeast along that road to the west boundary of Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest; south and east along that boundary to Forest Trail 30E14; southeast along 30E14 to the Doyle Springs Road (Wishon Drive); southwest along Doyle Springs Road (Wishon Drive) to Camp Wishon; southeast along the Alder Creek Grove-Hossack Meadow Road to Camp Nelson; east along Highway 190 to Coy Flat Road; south along Coy Flat Road to the boundary of the Tule River Indian Reservation; south along the east boundary of that reservation (County Highway J42) to Parker Peak; southeast through Upper Parker Meadow to Parker Pass. Parker Pass to Forest Route 22S81; south through Starvation Creek Grove on Forest Route 22S81 to M504 (Parker Pass); south on M504 to Forest Route 23S64; southeast on 23S64 to the southwest corner of Section 15, T23S, R31E, M.D.B.M., continuing to the northeast corner of Section 22, T23S, R31E, M.D.B.M.; south approximately 6 miles to Sugarloaf Winter Recreation Area.; southeast on Sugarloaf drive to Forest Road 24S23; northeast on Forest Route 24S23 to Forest Route 23S16; Southeast on Forest Route 23S16 to Portuguese Pass; southeast along Forest Route 23S16 (24S06) though Portuguese Pass to the Tulare-Kern county line; east along the Tulare-Kern county line to the Tulare-Inyo county line.; north along the Tulare-Inyo county line to Fresno-Inyo county line; north along the Fresno-Inyo county line to the Fresno-Mono county line; north along the Fresno-Mono County line to the Mono-Madera county line; north along the Mono-Madera county line to the Mono-Tuolumne county line; north along the Mono-Tuolumne county line to the Alpine-Tuolumne county line; northwest along the Alpine-Tuolumne county line to the Calaveras- Tuolumne county line; southwest along the Calaveras- Tuolumne county line to the starting point. That portion of Kern County within a line beginning where the Tulare-Kern county line intersects the west boundary of the Sequoia National Forest; south along the said boundary to the Poso Flat Road; on Poso Flat Road to National Forest Route 25S03 (Rancheria Road); northeast along National Forest 25S03 (Rancheria Road) to National Forest 25S15 (Rancheria Road); north on National Forest 25S15 (Rancheria Road) to Rancheria Road; northeast along Rancheria Road through Shirley Meadow to Forest Highway 90 (Forest Route 23S16) at Greenhorn Summit; northeast on Forest Highway 90 (Forest Route 23S16) to Cow Creek; northeast on Cow Creek to Bull Run Creek; north on Bull Run Creek to the Tulare-Kern county line; west along said county line to the point of beginning, Those portions of Inyo and Mono counties west of Highway 395.

· (D) Southern California Dog Control Zone: Those portions of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties within the Los Padres and Angeles National Forests; and those portions of San Bernardino County within the San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests.

• (b) Authorized Use of Dogs. The use of dogs for the pursuit/take of mammals or for dog training is authorized as follows:

· (1) Dog Control Zones. The use of dogs for the pursuit/take of mammals or for dog training is permitted in the dog control zones described in subsections 265(a)(4)(A), (B), (C) and (D) from the opening day of the general deer season through the first Friday in April.

· (2) Areas of the State Outside the Dog Control Zones. The use of dogs for the pursuit/take of mammals or for dog training in areas outside of the dog control zones is permitted year-round, except for closures and restrictions described in this Section 265 and Section 364, and the provisions of sections 3960 and 4800 of the Fish and Game Code which prohibit allowing any dog to pursue any big game mammal during the closed season on such mammal or mountain lions, elk or any fully-protected, threatened or endangered mammal at any time.

· (3) Take of Depredating Mammals. The use of dogs is permitted for pursuing/taking depredating mammals by federal and county animal damage control officers or by permittees authorized under a depredation permit issued by the department.

· (4) Take of Furbearers and Nongame Mammals. Furbearers and nongame mammals as specified in subsection 472(a) may be taken with the aid of dogs during the appropriate open season, except for closures and restrictions described in subsections 265(a) and (b).

· (5) Prohibition on Starting Pursuit Within 400 Yards of Baited Area. Pursuits may not be started within 400 yards of a baited area as described in Section 257.5 of these regulations.

· (6) Dog Training. Except for the prohibitions of subsection 265(a), dog training is permitted pursuant to the following provisions:

· (A) Dog Training Defined. For purposes of these regulations, dog training is defined as the education of dogs through “breaking” or “practicing” under strict provisions that preclude the injuring or take of animals. Training is distinguished from “pursuit”, as used in Section 86 of the Fish and Game Code, in that the animal being chased shall not be killed, captured, or injured.

· (B) Prohibition on Killing, Capturing or Injuring Mammals. No person shall kill, capture or injure any mammal, nor shall any person’s dog be allowed to kill, capture or injure any mammal during dog training.

· (C) Prohibition on Possession of Equipment. No firearm, archery gear, crossbow or other instrument capable of killing, injuring or capturing any animal may be possessed by any person training dogs during the seasons described in subsection 265(b)(6)(F) below. Possession of a firearm, archery gear, crossbow or other instrument capable of killing or capturing any animal is prohibited while training dogs, but such equipment may be transported to or from a campsite, transported to or from a residence or lawfully possessed by a person at a campsite provided all dogs are secured and under the control of the owner, agent or person training or transporting said dogs.

· (D) Prohibition on Starting Dog Training Within 400 Yards of Baited Area. Dog Training may not be started within 400 yards of a baited area as described in Section 257.5 of these regulations.

· (E) Prohibition on Training Dogs on Big Game Mammals, Bobcat or on Protected, Threatened or Endangered Mammals. It shall be unlawful to train any dog on any big game mammal, bobcat, or to train any dog on any fully-protected, threatened or endangered mammal at any time. A person in possession of a valid deer tag may utilize the general deer season for purposes of educating a dog for deer. Only one dog may be used for training in areas where the general deer season (as described in subsection 360(a) and (b)) is open.

· (F) Seasons.

· 1. Gray Fox. Dogs may be trained on gray fox from March 1 through the day preceding the opening of the general gray fox season, except for closures and restrictions described in subsections 265(a) and (b).

· 2. Raccoon. Dogs may be trained on raccoon from April 1 through the day preceding the opening of the general raccoon season, except for closures and restrictions described in subsections 265(a) and (b).

· 3. Other Mammals. Except for closures and prohibitions described in this Section 265 and sections 3960 and 4800 of the Fish and Game Code, dogs may be trained on mammals other than gray fox and raccoon at any time.

• (c) Restrictions on the Number of Dogs per Hunter.

· (1) One Dog per Hunter Limitation During Deer Season. No more than one dog per hunter may be used in the area where the general deer season is open.

· (2) Three Dogs per Hunter Limitation for the Take of Wild Pigs. Up to three dogs per hunter may be used for the purpose of taking wild pigs, pursuant to the following provisions:

· (A) No more than one dog per hunter may be used in an area where the general deer season is open.

· (B) No dogs may be used within the closures described in subsection 265(a).

Bounties and coyote hunting contests in California.

Bounty rewards and coyote hunting contests are prohibited by state law.

If you aim to hunt coyotes in California, make sure you read and understand all current hunting regulations. It is your responsibility to know and obey the law.