Rules for Hunting Coyotes in Arkansas


Hunting coyotes in Arkansas? The only real odd thing is that most Arkansas coyotes are colored cinnamon and gray in. Other than that, like most states, you will find coyotes in Arkansas in every county, and their population is rising every year.

Below, you will find the current state regulations regarding hunting coyotes in Arkansas. It is your responsibility to check for updates.

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Rules for hunting coyotes in Arkansas.

Arkansas law permits the hunting of coyotes all year. Coyotes may be taken only during daylight hours with archery equipment or any rifle or shotgun ammunition. There are no daily or possession limits. Night hunting of coyotes is prohibited.

Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in Arkansas?

If you are 16 or older, an Arkansas hunting license is required to hunt wildlife unless you are on a licensed game-bird shooting resort that supplies pen-raised birds. A valid printed license, reusable hard card or acceptable electronic format license must be in your possession when hunting. A WMA General Use Permit is required to hunt on public land.

Related: How about calling fox? Learn a few tips here.

Check out all Arkansas hunting seasons.

Related: Learn the rules for hunting fox in Arkansas.

And here you can read the laws for hunting bobcats in Arkansas.

Predator Control Permit for hunting coyotes in Arkansas.

Permit Purpose

To allow landowners or managers to control populations of certain wildlife species as part of a program to help other species of wildlife.

Permit Terms

  1. All permit holders must have a hunting license. 
  2. Permit is valid for use on private land outside of city limits on which the permit holder is the owner, immediate family of owner, lessee or have written permission from the landowner or lessee of the land upon which the permit will be used.
  3. Permit holders may use firearms to shoot bobcat, coyote, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, red fox, and striped skunk during the day or night outside of the regular hunting seasons for these species. Lights may be used to assist in taking these species with this permit, however restrictions on use of lights from roads still apply. There are no restrictions on the use of firearms except that it is unlawful to hunt raccoon, opossum, or bobcat at night with any rifled slug or shot size larger than No. T, or with any rifle or handgun ammunition other than rimfire ammunition of .22 caliber or smaller. Additionally, general prohibitions on the use of military ball or full metal jacket ammunition to take wildlife still apply.  
  4. Permit holders may trap bobcat, coyote, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, red fox, and striped skunk outside of the regular trapping season. Trapping must be done in accordance with Commission Codes 17.0117.02 and 17.03.
  5. Permits are valid from July 1-June 30th.
  6. Persons having hunting/trapping privileges revoked are not eligible to obtain or continue to use a Predator Control Permit.

Is an Arkansas hunting license required for property destroying coyotes?

If you wish to protect domestic livestock or pets, coyotes and raccoons can be shot during the day or trapped year-round without a permit. But, if you wish to shoot them at night to protect livestock, you will need to obtain a Depredation Permit, and not the Predator Control Permit.

Can you use bait when hunting coyotes in Arkansas?

Baiting is defined as the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of salt, grain or other feed that could serve as a lure or an attraction for wildlife to, on or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them.

It is legal to feed wildlife, with these exceptions: 1. Baiting is not allowed on wildlife management areas. 2. An area is considered baited for 10 days following complete removal of the bait.

Therefore, the law appears unclear. In such cases, it is best to ask your local game warden for advice.

Related: Where is the best place to shoot a coyote? Read the precise point to aim for here.

Can you use electronic callers or decoys in Arkansas?

Electronic callers are legal for coyote hunting only.

Related: What calls work for successful coyote hunter? These do, read more here.

Related: When you call coyotes you need to keep them interested!

How much money does a coyote caller cost?

Predator decoys are legal in Arkansas.

Check Amazon’s prices for coyote decoys here.

Are suppressors legal when hunting coyotes in Arkansas?

Yes.

Related: How far apart should your stand be? Find out here.

Related: Need more land to hunt on? Learn how to ask for permission here.

Do you know what the easiest three open reed call are to make? Watch out video and read the article here.

Arkansas new permit for landowners.

A new free Predator-Control Permit also will be available to private landowners, which will let permit holders shoot or trap bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, opossum, raccoon and striped skunk day or night.

  • Foxes, Bobcats and Coyotes may be taken during daylight hours with rifles and shotguns of any caliber. Bobcats and Coyotes also may be taken during any open deer, bear or spring turkey season with weapons legal for that season.

Related: Should deer hunters kill coyotes? Learn the answer here.

Related: Wounded a coyote? Learn how to track a wounded coyote here.

Hunter orange required when hunting coyotes in Arkansas?

safety colors. Safety colors are not required for migratory bird hunters in these areas.

Related: Should you hunt coyotes in bad weather?

Related: Can coyotes be educated? No, they can’t, see why here.

How close to a residence can you hunt coyotes in Arkansas?

  • Hunting Near a Residence
  • Hunters who own or lease property may hunt on that property, regardless of distance to another person’s residence.
  • However, all other hunters using firearms within 150 yards of a residence or using archery equipment within 50 yards of a residence must have written permission from the owner or occupant of that residence.

Related: Learn how to get permission to hunt more properties here.

Related: Learn how to avoid over hunting a property here.

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr.

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr. is a former Marine Sergeant and the author of several books, including two on night hunting coyotes and red and gray fox. He has written several hundred articles on predator hunting for ThePredatorHunter.com.

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