Wondering how to start a coyote hunting adventure in Arkansas? Well! Understanding the laws and regulations of the state is a great first step. Because of the state’s rapidly expanding woods and animals, many people are drawn to the wilds of Arkansas. The state of Arkansas is regarded as a haven for those interested in learning more about the trivial hobby of coyote hunting. This article delves into the laws and regulations governing coyote hunting in Arkansas, the land of opportunity. I’ll also try to answer a few frequently asked questions regarding coyote hunting in Arkansas along the way.
Coyote Hunting in Arkansas
The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission regulates all the coyote hunting activities in Arkansas. This commission is also in charge of wildlife management in the state. Coyotes are also classed as Furbearer and Nuisance Animal by the commission. This means there are no bag limits for hunting coyotes in Arkansas during legal hunting hours of the open season.
Related: Coyote Hunting in South Dakota: Rules and Regulations 2022
Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in Arkansas?
Both residents and non-residents aged 16 or over will need a valid hunting license in order to hunt coyotes in the state of Arkansas. You must have either a printed, reusable hard card, or an electronic format of the license in your possession while coyote hunting in Arkansas. Furthermore, a WMA General Use Permit is required to hunt in public lands.
Hunting licenses and all other necessary permits can be purchased over the counter at AGFC regional offices, nature centers, and many sporting goods stores across Arkansas. Furthermore, you may also call 501-223-6349 / 800-364-GAME (4263) or visit www.agfc.com and click ‘Buy License’.
Telephone and online purchases must be made by credit card. However, disability and commercial licenses are not available by phone or online.
Coyote Hunting seasons in Arkansas
There is no closed season for hunting coyotes in the private lands of Arkansas. This means, in the case of private lands, the coyote hunting season starts from the sunrise of January 1 and ends at the sunset of December 31, 2022.
However, on the WMA lands, the coyote hunting season in Arkansas runs from the sunrise of July 1 to the sunset of February 28.
Also keep in mind, during the youth turkey season, only youths may take coyotes in the state of Arkansas.
The season for trapping coyotes in Arkansas starts from August 1 and ends March 31.
Can you hunt coyotes at night in Arkansas
The legal hunting hours in Arkansas are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Therefore, It is unlawful to hunt coyotes at night in Arkansas. However, the Commission’s Predator Control Permit (PCP) authorizes the permit holder to shoot and trap bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes, opossums, raccoons, red foxes, and striped skunks on private land year-round for the purpose of eradicating predators that harm game animals including wild turkeys and northern bobwhites.
Bag limits for hunting coyotes in Arkansas
Since coyotes are classified as Furbearer Predatory species, there are no daily, or annual bag limits on hunting coyotes in Arkansas. Additionally, there are also no bag limits for trapping coyotes in Arkansas. All in all, you may hunt coyotes in Arkansas year-round without having to worry about the bag limits.
Where to hunt Coyotes in Arkansas?
Arkansas offers good habitat for hunting coyotes across much of the state with the exception of the eastern Delta lowlands. Public land access exists for hunters within several wildlife management areas, national forests and state parks found to harbor expanding coyote populations.
The central region features areas like the Winona Wildlife Management Area and Mount Magazine State Park which hold resident coyote packs in their mix of brush, timber and open spaces. To the south, the Sulphur River WMA spans over 45,000 acres along the Texas border while the connected Millwood State Park adds another 2,000 acres tailored for coyotes.
Northwestern Arkansas properties providing thousands of acres of prime coyote range include the Ozark National Forest, Cherokee Wildlife Management Area and Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area. Identifying county, state and federal lands open to hunting these adaptable canids through agencies can lead hunters to prime locations holding populations.
Legal ways to hunt coyotes in Arkansas
You may hunt coyotes in Arkansas during daylight hours with archery equipment, or any rifle or shotgun ammunition. However, using deadfalls, drugs, poison, chemicals, booby traps, or explosives to hunt coyotes is strictly prohibited in the state of Arkansas.
Using bait in order to hunt coyotes is completely legal in Arkansas. However, the animal matter may not be used as bait within 20 feet of a trap set, unless it is covered. Make sure the bait is covered in such a way that it withstands wave action, wind action, or other normal environmental conditions that could cause it to become visible.
Using electronic tracking or telemetry equipment is not allowed while hunting coyotes in Arkansas. Moreover, computer-assisted hunting equipment is also not legal.
Decoys are perfectly legal while hunting coyotes in Arkansas. Additionally, using legally acquired suppressors to hunt coyotes is also allowed in Arkansas.
Can you use dogs to hunt coyotes in Arkansas?
You can use dogs to hunt coyotes in Arkansas during the day except for the turkey season. However, dogs are not allowed in deer zones where a firearms deer season is in progress that prohibits the use of dogs.
Can you hunt coyotes from a vehicle in Arkansas?
You may hunt not coyotes in Arkansas from any moving motorized land vehicle. Furthermore, hunting coyotes using a drone, or from an airplane or a moving boat is also strictly prohibited.
Are there any bounty programs for hunting coyotes in Arkansas?
No, there aren’t any bounty programs for hunting coyotes in the state of Arkansas at this time. However, if any news pops up, we will update this section accordingly.
