Here are a few of the rules for hunting coyotes in Connecticut. This list is meant to provide you with a fast look at the basic regulations. Before you make your first coyote stand, check for additional regulations (and any changes or updates).
In Connecticut, coyotes may be hunted all year. There is no daily or seasonal bag limit. Legal hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. Coyotes taken by hunting must be reported online or by telephone. Or, they can be pelt tagged. To be sold, coyotes must be pelt tagged.
Click here to purchase a license.
Check out the Connecticut hunting seasons.
Related: Learn the rules for hunting fox in Connecticut.
Rules for hunting coyotes in Connecticut.
Connecticut does not allow hunting coyotes at night.
With no night hunting option, you will have to master the craft of calling in what might be a well-fed, sleeping coyote.
Therefore the following articles are strongly recommended, especially for new predator hunters.
- 3 open reed coyote calls you can learn now.
- How to master the best closed reed coyote call.
- Coyote calling sounds your successful pals keep secret.
Electronic Calling Devices – The use of electronic calling devices is prohibited when hunting wild turkeys and migratory birds (except crows). Electronic calling devices can be used when hunting crows, coyotes, other small game, and deer.
Check Foxpro predator caller prices here.
You need a different strategy for hunting coyotes in Connecticut during the day.
Let’s face it; coyotes move a lot more at night. The only way to increase your odds of success is to locate their habitat, find their dens, maximize the property you have, and get access to more property.
Locate their habitat.
- Learn how to track coyote sign here.
- Learn what coyotes eat throughout the year here.
Find a coyote’s den.
- Learn how to recognize and locate a coyote’s den here.
Maximize the property you already have access to.
- Don’t over hunt what you have already. Here are some tips to avoid over hunting a location.
- Learn how far you have to move between stands here.
Get more land to hunt coyotes on.
- Read here to discover 8 ways to get permission to hunt private property.
You will need a decoy, check coyote decoy prices here.
Did you know, all my predator hunting books are worthless for Connecticut predator hunters? That’s because they all deal with night hunting! But, you can other predator hunting books here.
Remember: You are hunting eastern coyotes in Connecticut. Learn how to hunt them here.
Related: Can you read a coyote’s body language? Learn how to tell when it is time to take your shot.
Can you use bait when hunting coyotes in Connecticut?
Yes, you may hunt coyotes over bait.
The perfect coyote bait pile is a marvelous tool for coyote hunters. Set up correctly, a coyote bait pile will lure in and hold coyotes exactly where you want them, convince them to consume the bait, and give you all the time you need to take your shot.
Learn how to create the perfect bait pile here.
Sunday hunting is illegal—still! The last of the Blue Laws still applies in Connecticut.
Sunday Hunting – Possession of hunting implements in the open on Sunday is prima facie evidence of violation (except for archery deer hunters on private land in designated Deer Management Zones). Sunday hunting is allowed on licensed private shooting preserves and regulated dog training areas when the operator has permission from the town. Hunting may also take place on Sunday at permitted field trial events.
Reporting requirements: Foxes and coyotes taken must be reported online or by telephone.
Firearm laws when hunting coyotes in Connecticut.
Firearms Hunting
The holder of a firearms hunting license may use rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, and high-velocity air guns subject to certain restrictions.
- 500 Foot Zone – It is prohibited to hunt with, shoot, or carry a loaded firearm within 500 feet of any building occupied by people or domestic animals, or used for storage of flammable material, or within 250 feet of such buildings when waterfowl hunting in tidal areas from land shooting positions or from floating blinds anchored adjacent to land or from rock positions, unless written permission for lesser distances is obtained from the owner and carried. Landowners, their spouse, and lineal descendants are exempt from this restriction, providing any building involved is their own. The 500 foot zone does not apply to bowhunting.
- Firearms in Vehicles – It is prohibited to carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle. This does not apply to persons with handguns who have a valid Connecticut permit to carry pistols or revolvers.
- Rifles and Handguns – Rifles or handguns using ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire are prohibited on state-owned land. Rifles or handguns of any caliber are prohibited on State-leased and Permit-Required Hunting Areas (see Permit-Required and State-Leased Hunting Area sections for exceptions). The use of rifles or handguns to hunt turkeys, waterfowl, or any other federally regulated migratory game bird (except crows) is prohibited. Hunting on private land with ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire long rifle during the private land shotgun/rifle deer season is prohibited unless the user has a valid private land deer season permit and landowner consent form. The use of rifles or revolvers to hunt deer is subject to additional restrictions (see Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Season). The use of ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire to hunt raccoon or opossum at night is prohibited. A person using a handgun for hunting must possess any required state/town permits to carry. Note: It is legal to use .17 caliber rimfire firearms in all situations where it is legal to use .22 caliber rimfire firearms.
- Shotguns – The possession of shotgun ammunition larger or heavier than #2 shot is prohibited on state-owned lands, state-leased lands, and Permit-Required Hunting Areas, at all times, and is prohibited on private lands during the Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Deer Season (see Permit-Required and State-Leased Hunting Area sections for exceptions). However, on any lands, waterfowlers hunting from a boat, blind, or stationary position may use up to and including size BB steel shot. The possession of lead shot while hunting waterfowl, rails, and coot is prohibited. The use of shotguns larger than 10-gauge for hunting waterfowl is prohibited. Shotguns must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells (2 in the magazine, 1 in the chamber) when hunting waterfowl, other migratory birds (except crows), deer on state lands, and turkey. The exception is that unplugged shotguns are legal to use during the September Canada goose season. The use of shotguns to hunt deer or turkey is subject to additional restrictions (see Deer Hunting and Wild Turkey Hunting).
- Muzzleloaders – During Muzzleloader Deer Seasons, a muzzleloader means a rifle or shotgun, .45 caliber minimum, incapable of firing a self-contained cartridge, using powder and a single projectile loaded separately at the muzzle end. Shotgun converters and telescopic sights are legal. Restrictions on the use of smoothbore muzzleloaders for hunting small game and waterfowl are the same as those for shotguns. Restrictions on the use of muzzleloading rifles for hunting small game are the same as those for rifles, except that on state-owned land, up to a .36 caliber muzzleloading rifle using round ball ammunition only may be used. A percussion/in-line muzzleloader with a cap or primer installed, an electronic muzzleloader with a battery connected, or a flintlock muzzleloader having powder in the pan are considered loaded firearms.
- High-Velocity Air Guns – Are restricted to those that use a single ball or pellet-like projectile. Additional restrictions on the use of air guns are the same as those for rifles and handguns.
Check for updates here: CT-Hunting-Guide.pdf