Coyote Hunting in Alaska: [Rules and Regulations 2023-2024]

If you want to know the laws and regulations for coyote hunting in Alaska, You’ve come to the right place. Alaska is one of the best places to go for coyote hunting. Cayotes are classified as ‘fur-bearer’ and fur animals in Alaska. This means you need to obtain permits and/or a license to kill a coyote. With that being said, let’s discuss some of the essential facts to keep in mind as you plan your coyote hunting quest in Alaska.

Are Coyotes defined as fur animals in Alaska?

Coyotes are defined as both fur animals and furbearers in Alaska. Fur animal is the classification of animals subject to taking with a hunting license. While, on the other hand, fur-bearer is a classification of animals subject to taking with a trapping license. Furthermore, one thing to keep in mind is you should never hunt a fur animal with a dog, trap, snare, or a fish trap. Moreover, you can not disturb or destroy their den while hunting fur animals. If you are a non-resident, you are not allowed to hunt fur animals with a small game license. Additionally, you can not join the hunting quest for fur animals the same day you’ve been airborne unless you’re at least 300 feet from the airplane.

Do you need license to hunt coyotes in Alaska?

Yes, you will need a license to enjoy coyote hunting in Alaska. Since coyotes are defined as both fur animals and fur-bearers, you can hunt them under either a hunting license or a trapping license. A license is not the nail in the coffin. You must follow the seasons, bag limits, and methods, and means permitted by that license. You can purchase the license and other permits online through Alaska Fish and Game Department.

The Alaska regulations do not specify specific coyote hunting hours. However, it is wise to follow the 30mins before sunrise to 30 mins after the sunset rule.

Yes, the electronic call is completely legal for coyote hunting in Alaska. Infact, the electronic call is legal for all game animals except moose.

What firearms are approved/disapproved for coyotes hunting in Alaska?

Hunting coyotes by using a machine gun, set gun, or shotgun larger than 10 gauge is strictly not allowed.

Are suppressors allowed for coyote hunting in Alaska?

Yes, suppressors are completely allowed for coyote hunting in Alaska. In fact, it is allowed for all game animals.

Is there a bag limit for coyotes in Alaska?

Yes, the bag limit for coyotes in Arizona is the maximum number of coyotes a person may take during a regulatory year. You may hunt a coyote if the bag limit in your hunt area is greater than the number of coyotes you have already taken anywhere in the state. If the limit is greater, you may take the number of coyotes needed to reach the limit.

For example: if you took one black bear from Unit 6 (which has a limit of one black bear) and then go to Unit 9 (which has a limit of three black bears), you may take up to two more black bears in Unit 9. But if you hunt in Unit 9 first (limit of three black bears) and kill one black bear, you may not hunt black bear in Unit 6 (limit of one black bear) within the same regulatory year. This is
because you have attained the bag limit for that unit.

Bear in mind, When there is a hunting season and a trapping season for the same species, the bag limit under hunting regulations is separate from the bag limit for trapping.

Following are the bag limit of coyotes in Alaska :

Units 1-5, 18, and22: Two coyotes

Units 6-7, 9-17, 19-21, and 23-26: No limit

Where to hunt Coyotes in Alaska?

With over 20,000 coyotes harvested annually, Alaska offers abundant hunting opportunities across its vast wilderness.

Prime habitat exists in the interior regions around Fairbanks and the surrounding tundra. Additional hotspots are Mat-Su Valley extending to Anchorage as well as the Kenai Peninsula including Chugach National Forest near Seward. These areas hold plentiful small game like snowshoe hare and voles to sustain coyote packs.

Is hunting coyotes in night allowed in Alaska?

You may not hunt coyotes in Alaska by using artificial light. Artificial light may only be used while tracking and dispatching a wounded coyote. However, a hunter may not be on or in a motorized vehicle while using artificial light.

Can you hunt coyotes from a vehicle in Alaska?

You should not hunt coyotes in Arizona from a motor-driven boat or motorized land vehicle. Unless the motor has been shut off and the progress from the motor’s power has ceased.

Can dogs be used to hunt coyotes in Alaska?

Since coyotes fall under the category of fur-animal, you are not allowed to use the dogs to hunt coyotes in Alaska. However, there is an exception to this in Unit 20D. You can hunt coyotes using dogs in Unit 20D after registering with the ADF&G office in Delta Junction.

Is there a coyote bounty program in Alaska?

No, there is no such bounty program for coyote hunting in Alaska.

Are there regulations for possessing, transporting dead coyotes, or pelts across state lines in Alaska?

You can ship the raw skin of coyotes legally. You will no longer require the blue raw fur skin export permit. However, you must salvage the hide of a wolf, wolverine, coyote, fox, or lynx. You must also salvage either the hide or meat of a beaver, pika or ground squirrel.

Can I shoot a coyote if it attacks my dog in Alaska?

You may shoot a coyote in defense of your life or property if you did not provoke an attack or cause a problem by negligently leaving human food, animal food, mineral supplements, or garbage in a manner that attracts wildlife and if you have done everything else you can to protect your life and property. Property means your dwelling, means of travel, pets or livestock, fish drying racks, or other valuable property necessary for your livelihood.

Coyotes taken in defense of life or property belong to the state of Alaska. If you kill a coyote, you must salvage the hide and skull and surrender them to the state of Alaska.

Can I kill a coyote for food in a dire emergency?

If you are in a remote area and unintentionally run out of food and cannot expect to get food from another source soon enough, you may kill a coyote for food to save your life or prevent permanent health problems. If this happens, you must salvage all meat and surrender what is left to the state after your rescue. Bear in mind, you will be asked to fill out a statement about the circumstances.

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.

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