If you want to learn about the laws and regulations regarding coyote hunting in Georgia, you have come to the right place. Many people are drawn to the Georgia wild because of its expansive forests and its wildlife. To protect its residents and the wildlife, the wildlife resources division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources implements 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 Georgia. Along the way, I will also try to answer a few frequently asked questions.
Coyote Hunting in Georgia
The Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources regulates coyote hunting in Georgia. This division is also in charge of wildlife management in the state. Furthermore, the division has defined coyotes alongside armadillos, groundhogs, beavers, starlings, pigeons, English sparrows, and nutria as unprotected species. This means hunting coyotes in Georgia has neither closed seasons nor bag limits. Additionally, you can also legally use electronic calls to hunt coyotes in Georgia.
Furthermore, a hunter, and anyone accompanying the hunter, must wear as an outer garment at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent-orange(Hunter Orange) above the waist during primitive weapons and firearms hunts for deer, bear,
and special opportunity coyote and feral hog hunts on WMAs and federal lands.
Related: Coyote Hunting in Florida: Rules and Regulations 2022
Do you need a hunting license to hunt coyote in Georgia?
Yes, you will need a hunting license to hunt coyotes in the state of Georgia. You can purchase all the licenses and permits through GoOutDoors Georgia. Keep in mind a hunting license in Georgia allows you to hunt coyotes by methods other than trapping. If you want to take coyotes with a live trap or snare, you will need a trapping license too. 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 Georgia.
How much does a coyote hunting license cost in Georgia?
A hunting license in Georgia can cost anywhere from $15 to $100 depending on the hunter’s residency status and length of the license validity. Below is the cost breakdown of the hunting license in Georgia for both residents and non-residents:
| Term | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Annual | $15 | $100 |
| One-Day | – | $20 |
| + Additional Day | – | $6 |
You can also apply for a lifetime hunting license in Georgia by filling up an application form through Georgiewildlife.com.
Coyote Hunting seasons in Georgia
There is no closed season for hunting or trapping coyotes in Georgia. Moreover, there are no specific coyote hunting hours in Georgia. Legal hours for hunting are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, except alligators, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and feral hogs which may be hunted at night too. However, keep in mind that you are not allowed to use baiting or hunt coyotes at night in Wildlife Management Areas(WMA) of Georgia. Outside WMA, it is legal to hunt coyotes at night. But keep in mind, Any light used to hunt raccoons, opossums, foxes, bobcats, or feral hogs must be carried on the body of the hunter, affixed to a helmet or hat worn by the hunter, or be part of a belt system worn by the hunter. There is no voltage restriction on such lights.
Bag Limits for Coyote Hunting in Georgia
Since coyotes are classified as unprotected species, there are no bag limits for hunting coyotes in Georgia. You can hunt coyotes in Georgia all year round without having to worry about the time or bag limits.
Where to hunt Coyotes in Georgia?
Georgia offers expanding coyote hunting opportunities as populations increase statewide across a habitat mix of forests, farms, and swamplands. Several wildlife management areas provide public land access and maintain huntable numbers of these adaptable predators.
The northern third of Georgia contains excellent terrain for hunting coyotes as they spread into new areas. Particular hotspots include Paulding Forest WMA, Dawson Forest WMA and Cooper Creek WMA with a mosaic of woods and clearings well-suited as coyotes populate more regions.
West-central areas like the Oaky Woods WMA and Chickasawhatchee WMA also provide habitat for emerging coyote populations, totaling nearly 30,000 acres between the two areas. The remote tracts feature a mixture of pines, wetlands and open pasture. Identifying permissions and hunting zones through provided mapping allows hunting these locations.
Legal Ways to Hunt Coyotes in Georgia
You can hunt coyotes during all big and small game hunts but weapon types are restricted to only those weapons allowed for the game species in season. Moreover, you can use lawfully possessed suppressors for hunting coyotes, unless otherwise specified. However, keep in mind that permission of the landowner is required if you are hunting on private land.
There are no restrictions on firearms during special coyote hunts. However, possession or use of buckshot is prohibited. That being said, there aren’t any specific restrictions on the type of ammunition being used for hunting coyotes in Georgia.
You are not allowed to hunt coyotes over bait in Georgia. It is also illegal to hunt coyotes upon, over, around, or near a bait. The law also states that you are not allowed to hunt coyotes in the area for the period of 10 days after the complete removal of all the baits. Furthermore, it is illegal to place baits on any State or Federally managed lands or in a manner that will cause hunting on an adjacent property to be prohibited.
Keep in mind, hunting coyotes over bait in Georgia is s subject to a fine of $5,000 and/or imprisonment up to 12 months.
Can you use dogs to hunt coyotes in Georgia?
Yes, you can use dogs to hunt coyotes in Georgia. Just keep in mind, in order to train your dogs for coyote hunting in public areas, you must have a valid hunting license. If you are training your dog on your private property, you are completely free to do so without any licenses. Furthermore, It is illegal to possess firearms (except handguns with blank or shot cartridges), axes, climbers, or other game-taking equipment while training hunting dogs, except that shotguns with No. six or smaller shot may be used while training pointing, flushing, and retrieving dogs with pen-raised quail and pigeons if the dog trainer keeps proof of purchase of pen-raised quail.
Can you hunt coyotes from vehicles in Georgia?
It is not allowed to hunt coyotes from a vehicle, plane, or boat under power in Georgia. Keep in mind, you can legally hunt coyotes from a vehicle if it is stationary and the engine is off.
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.