Wondering how to get into coyote hunting in Florida? You have come to the right place. Many people are drawn to the Florida wild because of its expansive forests and its wildlife. To protect its residents and the wildlife, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is set to implement new rules and regulations every year for those who are brave enough to go for a coyote hunting quest. This article goes into the depth analysis of laws and regulations regarding coyote hunting in Florida. Along the way, I will also try to answer a few frequently asked questions.
Coyote Hunting in Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulates coyote hunting in Florida. This commission is also in charge of wildlife management in the state. Furthermore, the commission has defined coyotes alongside bobcats, otters, raccoons, opossums, beavers, skunks, and nutrias as furbearers.
Related: Coyote Hunting in Texas: Rules and Regulations 2022
Do you need a hunting license to hunt coyote in Florida?
Yes, you will need a hunting license to hunt coyotes in the state of Florida. You can purchase all the licenses and permits through GoOutDoors Florida. Keep in mind a hunting license in Florida allows you to hunt coyotes by methods other than trapping. If you want to take coyotes with a live trap or snare and to sell furbearers’ hides and meat to a licensed fur and hide dealer, you will need a Furbearer Trapping license. Keep in mind, you will need a hunting license even if you are a non-resident and would love to go for a coyote hunting quest in Florida.
Did you know you can also get a lifetime hunting license in Florida? Well, you now know.
How much does a coyote hunting license cost in Florida?
A hunting license can cost anywhere from $17 to $151.5 depending on the hunter’s residency status and length of the license validity. Below is the cost breakdown of the hunting license in Florida.
| Annual Residents | $17 |
| Five-Year Residents | $79 |
| Annual Non-Residents | $151.50 |
| Ten-Day Non-Residents | $46.50 |
If you are planning to take coyotes with a live trap or snare in Florida, you will need a Furbearer trapping license on top of the hunting license. The pricing of furbearer trapping license in Florida is as follows:
| Annual Resident | $26.50 |
| Annual Non-Resident | $26.50 |
Coyote Hunting seasons in Florida
There is no closed season for hunting coyotes in Florida. That means you can hunt coyotes in Florida all year round by rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow, or bow. Additionally, there is also no specified hour for hunting coyotes in Florida. You are completely free to hunt coyotes day or night in Florida. Therefore, it is completely legal to hunt coyotes 24 hours a day, all year long.
Bag Limits for Coyote Hunting in Florida
There are no bag limits for coyote hunting in Florida. You can hunt coyotes in Florida all year round without having to worry about the time or bag limits. Furthermore, there are also no bag limits for trapping raccoons, opossum, coyotes, beaver, skunk, and nutria in Florida.
Where to hunt Coyotes in Florida?
Florida offers expanding coyote hunting opportunities as populations continue to increase their presence across much of the state. The main public land access with huntable numbers exists on several wildlife management areas and national forests holding these adaptable canids.
Northern Florida contains excellent terrain as coyotes inhabit more regions. Particular hotspots include the Osceola National Forest and neighboring Twin Rivers State Forest spanning over 315,000 acres combined of prime habitat. The Ocala National Forest also provides substantial range as resident numbers grow.
Central Florida WMAs like Tiger Bay, Lake Panasoffkee and Gainesville also maintain emergent coyote populations on tracts intermixing forests, waterways and pasture lands. Permit requirements change for particular zones, so checking specific area regulations remains vital when planning hunts.
Legal Ways to Hunt Coyotes in Florida
It is legal to hunt coyotes with guns (including air guns), live traps, snares (including power snares), and recorded game calls. Keep in mind, it is a requirement to check live traps and snares every 24 hours. Furthermore, the state of Florida prohibits the intentional placement of feed or garbage in a manner that is likely to create a public nuisance by attracting coyotes. In addition, while hunting coyotes, Florida doesn’t allow centerfire semi-automatic rifles having magazine capacities of more than five rounds.
Moreover, Florida also prohibits the use of steel leg-hold traps, dog-proof raccoon traps, and body-grip (conibear) traps, except when permitted by FWC.
And lastly, the use of gasoline or any other chemical or gaseous substances to drive coyotes from their retreats is prohibited. Moreover, Florida also prohibits hunting or assisting in hunting coyotes by the remote control aiming and discharge of a gun when you, as a hunter, are not physically present with that gun.
Can you buy or sell meat or pelts from coyotes for commercial purposes?
You must have a fur dealer’s license, which costs $100, to buy or sell meat or pelts from coyotes or any fur-bearing mammals for commercial purposes, or to solicit business by mail or advertising.
Can you use dogs to hunt coyotes in Florida?
You can use dogs as an aid in taking coyotes unless otherwise prohibited. Moreover, you can also use dogs on leash to trail wounded coyotes during all seasons. Hunters, who use dogs for coyote hunting are required to have their dogs wear collars that identify their owner’s name and address. This regulation also requires dog hunters to possess landowners’ written permission before using their dogs to pursue coyotes on private property. On private land rabbits, raccoons, opossum, skunk, nutria, beaver, coyote, wild hog, foxes, and bobcats may be chased throughout the year with free-running dogs.
Beginning July 1, 2021, all dogs not under physical restraint that are used for pursuing deer, wild hog, fox, or coyote must have collars equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking (GPS or telemetry). On July 1, 2022, an additional corrective device will also be required on the collars of such hunting dogs. Removing, tampering, or otherwise interfering with any collar or tag (including remote tracking and behavior correction devices) of a dog used for hunting without the owner’s permission is prohibited.
Can you shoot a coyote without a license on your private property in Florida?
You will need a hunting license to shoot a coyote even on your private property in Florida. Therefore, it is generally a wise idea to get one. Furthermore, you’ll also need permission from the property owner to shoot a coyote even if you have a hunting license.
Can I shoot a coyote if it attacks my dog in Florida?
If the coyotes are attacking, or have recently attacked your dogs, you are legally allowed to shoot it with landowner permission by rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow, or bow. However, it’s important to check with the sheriff’s office about the legality of discharging a firearm in certain areas.
Important Notice: The articles published on this website are only for informational purposes and we do not promote hunting/ killing animals. If you are willing to hunt please refer to Authorized sources for correct and updated information. Writer/ Website owner will not be responsible for any consequences due to information provided on this website. You can refer to relevant Government sources for updated information.