Wondering about the laws and regulations on coyote hunting in Nevada? You have come to the right place. Many people are drawn to the Nevada wild because of its expansive forests and its wildlife. To protect its residents and the wildlife, the Nevada Department of Wildlife implements new rules and regulations every year for those who are brave enough to go for a coyote hunting quest. This article covers an in-depth analysis of laws and regulations regarding coyote hunting in Nevada. Along the way, I will also try to answer a few frequently asked questions.
Coyote Hunting in Nevada
Nevada Department of Wildlife regulates coyote hunting in Nevada. This division is also in charge of wildlife management in the state. Furthermore, the division has defined coyotes as unprotected species. This means hunting coyotes in Nevada has neither closed seasons nor bag limits. Additionally, you can also legally use electronic calls to hunt coyotes in Nevada.
Related: Coyote Hunting in Georgia: Rules and Regulations 2022
Do you need a hunting license to hunt coyote in Nevada?
Since coyotes are classified as unprotected species by the state of Nevada, they are not protected by any state law and you can hunt coyotes without needing a license. Furthermore, even if you are a non-resident in Nevada, you will not need a license to hunt coyotes. However, if you want to trap a coyote or sell the fur, you will need a trapping license.
Coyote Hunting seasons in Nevada
There is no specific season for hunting coyotes in Nevada. You may hunt coyotes all year round without needing a hunting license. However, the legal coyote hunting hours in Nevada are from sunrise to sunset. You can hunt coyotes on your private property even at night.
The night coyote hunting laws depend on your county. Therefore, it is highly recommended to contact NDOW for more state regulations and the County sheriff’s Department for county laws for the areas you will be hunting for coyotes.
1. Washoe County
Except as otherwise authorized by law, it is illegal for anyone to discharge firearms of any kind between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise or shine a spotlight between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise for the purpose of hunting a wild animal in the unincorporated areas of the Washoe county.
2. Pershing County
It is illegal for anyone to cast a spotlight from or within three hundred feet (300ft) of any motor vehicle in the unincorporated areas of the Pershing county while having a firearm in possession or immediate physical presence, between the dates of September 1 and February 28, inclusive, of each year.
3. White Pine County
It is illegal for anyone to discharge a firearm, shotgun, pellet gun, air gun, or spring gun anywhere in the unincorporated areas of White Pine County, Nevada, between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
4. Lander County
It is illegal for anyone to discharge a firearm of any kind in the unincorporated areas of Lander county, between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. Violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor.
5. Nye County
Anyone who discharges any pistol, shotgun, rifle, or firearm within a radius of three (3) miles from the Nye county courthouse in Tonopah shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
6. Elko County
It is illegal for anyone to discharge a firearm of any kind in the unincorporated areas of Elko County, between one-half hour after sunset and one-half before sunrise: provided, however, that this section shall not apply to the following circumstances:
A) Any peace officer discharging a firearm in the performance of his duties;
B) The discharge of a firearm in a shooting gallery or any designated pistol or file range.
C) The discharge of a firearm by any person in the necessary defense of himself, his family, or property.
7. Douglas County
It is illegal for anyone to discharge any firearm, gun, pistol, rifle, shotgun, or other firearms across any county road or highway. It is also unlawful for any person to discharge any gun, pistol, rifle, or other firearms with the exception of shotguns or air rifles within one thousand five hundred feet of any residence occupied by any other person or persons within Douglas county without the permission of the occupant.
Bear in mind, It is illegal for any person to discharge any shotgun or air file within five hundred feet of any residence occupied by any other person or persons within Douglas county without the permission of the occupant. A thing to keep in mind, this law does not apply to peace officers, nor to persons shooting in any regularly established and authorized rifle range, gun club, or shooting gallery, nor to any person lawfully discharging a firearm in protection of life or property.
Bag Limits for Coyote Hunting in Nevada
There is no specific bag limit for hunting coyotes in Nevada. You may hunt as many coyotes as you wish at any time of the year.
Where to hunt Coyotes in Nevada?
Nevada offers quality habitat for hunting coyotes across much of the state’s expansive sagebrush flats and desert ranges, especially in the northern regions. Significant public land access exists on Bureau of Land Management property, state wildlife areas and national forests harboring stable coyote populations.
Prime coyote hunting is found spanning the Owyhee Desert spanning northwestern Nevada and into portions of Idaho in Elko and Humboldt counties. Hundreds of thousands of remote public acres offer sage-covered rolling hills holding jackrabbits crucial to coyote survival. Shot opportunities may be long range in the open terrain.
The area surrounding Reno and Carson City also produces consistent coyote populations in Washoe County on lands like the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex spanning over 1.6 million acres total of high desert habitat mixed with mountain foothills. Pyramid Lake and Walker Lake also hold regional numbers.
Legal Ways to Hunt Coyotes in Nevada
Due to coyotes being an unprotected species, there are not many regulations around coyote hunting in Nevada. Electronic game calls are completely legal while coyote hunting in Nevada. Additionally, you are also allowed to use decoys in Nevada to hunt coyotes. The state of Nevada does not restrict any specific firearm or ammunition for coyote hunting. Also bear in mind, using a suppressor to hunt coyotes is completely legal in Nevada.
You can legally use dogs to hunt coyotes in Nevada. Furthermore, you can use baiting to hunt coyotes in Nevada. However, you can’t use baiting to trap them since traps are somewhat indiscriminate and may attract other animals. Similarly, if someone was baiting coyotes and a mountain lion came into the bait, it would be unlawful to take that mountain lion over bait.
Can you hunt coyotes from vehicles in Nevada?
It is illegal to have a loaded rifle or loaded shotgun in or on any vehicle that is standing on or along, or being driven on or along, any public highway or another public way. It is illegal to use a weapon from an aircraft, helicopter, or motor-driven vehicle to shoot at any game mammals or game birds.
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.
