Arizona is a great place to go for coyote hunting. If you are a rookie hunter from Arizona, this article is intended to give some basic rules and regulations before you start your coyote hunting quest. The most effective way to prepare for coyote hunting in Arizona is by enrolling in a department-sponsored hunter education course.
However, unlike Texas, the course is optional and not a necessity. With that being said, let’s discuss some of the essential facts to keep in mind as you plan your coyote hunting quest in Arizona.
Coyote Hunting in Arizona
Coyote hunting in Arizona is regulated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department(AZGFD). This department is also in charge of wildlife management in the state of Arizona.
Since they receive no funding from the state, their only source of funds is selling permits, licenses, tags, and stamps to hunters and fishermen.
Furthermore, they also collect all the excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment bought and sold in the state of Arizona.
All in all, hunters and fishermen indirectly contribute to the conservation of both game and nongame species, as well as their ecosystems. The department has classified coyotes are as predatory animals in Arizona.
Related: Coyote Hunting in New Mexico: Rules and Regulations 2022
Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in Arizona?
In order to hunt predatory animals like coyotes in Arizona, you will need to purchase a hunting license. You can purchase all the necessary licenses, permits, and stamps online through azgfd.gov.
If you want to purchase them in a physical location instead, you can refer to any of AZGFD’s 200+ license dealers or statewide department offices. Bear in mind, even if you are a non-resident, you’ll still need to purchase a hunting license to hunt coyotes in Arizona.
In order to go for a coyote hunting quest in Arizona, residents and non-residents aged over 10 must have a valid hunting license.
Individuals under the age of 10 must be accompanied at all times by a legally licensed person aged 18 and over.
Also, keep in mind, any individual under the age of 10 shall not hunt a big game. Additionally, a license holder can bring no more than 2 unlicensed minors with them while coyote hunting in Arizona.
To hunt big games in Arizona, the hunter must be over the age of 14. Hunter Education Course is mandatory for anyone under the age of 14 who wants to get into big-game hunting.
Coyote Hunting Seasons in Arizona
Arizona has no closed season for coyote hunting. This means you can go for coyote hunting in Arizona on any day and there are no restrictions.
Additionally, coyote hunting is legal at any time in daylight in Arizona. It is not like coyote hunting is illegal at night but the commission has specified that you can hunt at night only if you can see well enough to shoot safely.
Bear in mind, you can use artificial lights at night to hunt coyotes in Arizona. However, a thing to remember is that the light should not be attached to or operated from a vehicle.
According to R12-4-304, an individual should not use or possess any electronic night vision equipment, electronically enhanced light-gathering devices, thermal imaging devices, or laser sights while hunting coyotes.
However, there is an exception for devices such as laser range finders, scopes with self-illuminating reticles, and fiber optic sights with self-illuminating sights or pins that do not project visible light onto an animal.
Bag Limits for Coyote Hunting in Arizona
The bag limit for coyote hunting in Arizona is unlimited. Since there is also no closed season, this means you can hunt as many coyotes at any time.
This is why Arizona is a paradise for someone who loves to hunt coyotes. One thing Arizona does not offer is a bounty program for hunting coyotes. Currently, there are no bounty programs for coyote hunting in Arizona.
Legal Ways to Hunt Coyotes in Arizona
There are a few things that you can not use while coyote hunting in Arizona. It is illegal to hunt coyotes using falconry and slingshots. Furthermore, a hunter should not hunt coyotes using fully automatic firearms including those with the ability to fire targets selectively.
Now let’s get into the legal ways you can hunt coyotes in Arizona.
- Centerfire and Muzzleloading Rifle
- Centerfire and Black Powder Handgun
- Other Rifle Shooting Black Powder or Synthetic Black Powder
- Crossbow and Archery
- Handgun shooting shot
- Shotgun Shooting slugs
- 5 millimeter or 0.22 Magnum Rimfire and .17 Magnum and .22 Rimfire
- Shotgun Shooting Shot and Pneumatic Weapons
- Trapping and Pursuit with dogs
Pursuit with dogs is a legal technique to hunt coyotes in Arizona but remember unless you, the hunter, are present at all times during the hunt, you can not utilize dogs to pursue, tree, corner, or hold at bay any coyote for a hunter.
And the last thing to understand is that you can not feed or bait coyotes in Arizona. Therefore, you can not use baiting while hunting coyotes in Arizona.
Where to hunt Coyotes in Arizona?
Prime regions to potentially encounter coyotes include grasslands and desert scrub areas, especially game management units with healthy prey sources to sustain breeding pairs year-round.
Some top public lands to explore are National Forests like Kaibab, Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves in northern Arizona. State wildlife areas that allow coyote taking and access include Santa Rita, Bonita Creek and Raymond. With proper licenses and permits, tribal areas like the sprawling San Carlos Apache reservation and Navajo Nation lands also offer abundant hunting grounds for predators like coyotes.
Can you shoot a Coyote without a license on your private property in Arizona?
No. you will need a license to shoot coyotes in Arizona even on your private property. If your closest neighbor is more than a quarter-mile away from your residence you can give yourself permission to shoot.
However, If your neighbors are closer, you will need to ask them for permission. I would highly recommend getting that hunting permission in writing with a date and signature on it.
Can I shoot a coyote if it attacks my dog in Arizona?
If the coyotes are attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked your dogs, you are legally allowed to shoot it with or without a license in the state of Arizona.
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