North Dakota offers some of the most well-balanced seasons and bag limits for coyote hunting in the nation. If you are a novice coyote hunter and would like to explore the rules and regulations regarding coyote hunting in North Dakota, you have come to the right place. This article goes into an in-depth analysis of laws and regulations regarding coyote hunting in the Flickertail State of North Dakota. Along the way, I will also try to answer a few FAQs related to coyote hunting in North Dakota.
Coyote Hunting in North Dakota
The Game and Fish Department regulates all the coyote hunting activities in the state of North Dakota. Furthermore, the department is also responsible for protecting and managing land, water, fish, and wildlife – and also providing access to outdoor recreation opportunities. The State of North Dakota has designated coyotes as Furbearers. That means there is no closed season for daytime hunting and no bag limits either.
Related: Coyote Hunting in Massachusetts: Rules and Regulations 2022
Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in North Dakota?
In order to hunt coyotes in North Dakota, you will need appropriate licenses and/or permits. You can purchase all the necessary licenses and permits for coyote hunting in North Dakota online through North Dakota Game and Fish Online Service Portal.
If you are 16 years or older North Dakota resident, you will need a furbearer license to trap or hunt coyotes in North Dakota. On the other hand, if you are a non-resident, you will need a furbearer and nongame license.
If you want to hunt coyotes in privately owned land or any land you have leased in North Dakota, you will not require a hunting license.
In order to be eligible for a furbearer license in North Dakota, you will need a Hunter Education Certification. There are currently two types of hunter education courses offered by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. They are:
- Traditional Hunter Education
- Home Study
The traditional hunter education course is a 14-hour course taught entirely in the classroom. On the other hand, the home study course is a 14-hour course time split between classroom and online study. Bear in mind, there is a $19.99 fee to take a home study course online. Once you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive your hunter education certificate within 7-9 working days. You can find more information on the courses on the Game and Fish Department’s website.
Coyote Hunting seasons in North Dakota
There is no closed season for hunting coyotes in North Dakota. That means hunters may hunt coyotes year-round during legal daylight hunting hours. Keep in mind, the legal hours for coyote hunting in North Dakota are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset each day.
Can you hunt Coyotes at night in North Dakota?
There is a special nighttime coyote hunting season in North Dakota. You can hunt coyotes at any hour during the night hunting season from November 22 through March 15, 2022. You can hunt coyotes on foot with the use of artificial light, night vision, thermal vision, or infrared light with a power source of not more than 6 volts. Bear in mind, the artificial light must produce either a red, green, or amber color. And lastly, anyone who hunts coyotes in North Dakota during the time from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise must hunt exclusively on foot.
Bag limits for Coyote Hunting in North Dakota
Since coyotes are classified as furbearer animals, there are no bag limits for hunting coyotes in North Dakota. You can hunt coyotes in North Dakota all year round without having to worry about the season or bag limits.
Where to hunt Coyotes in North Dakota?
North Dakota offers premier coyote hunting across its sweeping prairies, badlands and farmlands. Abundant public land access exists, with coyotes thriving across Wildlife Management Areas, National Grasslands and Conservation Areas.
In the western half of the state, the Little Missouri National Grassland provides over a million acres of public access in prime coyote habitat. Coyotes thrive here feeding on prairie dogs, deer and livestock. McKenzie County and Mountrail County also hold high coyote concentrations with terrain mixing wooded draws and open ranch lands.
The central part of the state also produces great coyote hunting on Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon WMAs along with the J.Clark Salyer and Lostwood National Wildlife Refuges. In eastern North Dakota, the Prairie Chicken WMA and Grand River National Grassland allow access to thousands of acres with coyotes present.
Legal ways to Hunt Coyotes in North Dakota
The use of electronic game calls and decoys is perfectly legal while coyote hunting in North Dakota. You can use any firearms, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, archery equipment (including crossbows), or pursue with dogs to hunt coyotes statewide during legal coyote hunting season. Furthermore, the state of North Dakota also allows the aid of suppressors to hunt coyotes.
There are no specific restrictions on the ammunition you may use while hunting coyotes in North Dakota. Baiting is still a legal way to hunt coyotes. However, It is illegal to place traps and/or cable devices(snares) within 25ft of any sight-exposed bait to hunt or trap coyotes in North Dakota.
Can you use dogs to hunt coyotes in North Dakota?
Yes, you can use dogs while pursuing or hunting coyotes in North Dakota during legal hunting hours. Bear in mind, the legal coyote hunting hours in North Dakota are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset each day.
Can you hunt coyotes from a vehicle in North Dakota?
It is illegal to drive any motorized vehicles off established roads and trails during the deer gun season while attempting to hunt coyotes with firearms, archery equipment, and dogs. Furthermore, using aircraft or drones to hunt coyotes, foxes, or other furbearers without a special permit is strictly prohibited.
Are there any bounty programs for coyote hunting in North Dakota?
No, there aren’t any bounty programs for coyotes in North Dakota at the time of writing this article. If any news pops up, I will update this section accordingly.