Website: Pennsylvania Game Commission
Contact Phone Number: 717-787-4250
Address: 2001 Elmerton Avenue – Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797
Email: [email protected]
PA Hunting License: Purchase License Here

Coyote Hunting Pennsylvania PA, Laws & Regulations

Are coyotes defined as furbearer, game animal, or other in Pennsylvania? Furbearer.

Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in Pennsylvania? Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.

Can a non-resident hunt coyotes in Pennsylvania? Yes, with a license as specified above.

Is there a specified season for coyotes in Pennsylvania? No closed season.

Is there a bag limit for coyotes in Pennsylvania? Unlimited.

What are the legal hunting hours in Pennsylvania? Legal hunting hours for all small and big game in Pennsylvania are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.  However raccoon, fox, coyote* and bobcat may be hunted any hour, day or night, except during restricted periods: : Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk or turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting or furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.

Sunday Hunting: It is unlawful to hunt wildlife, except foxes, crows and coyotes, on Sundays.

Are electronic game calls legal in Pennsylvania? It is unlawful to hunt with any electronic contrivance or device except: 1) Electronic callers may be used to hunt bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and crows, and snow geese in the conservation hunt season.

Are Decoys allowed for hunting coyotes in PA? Yes. Electronic calls and decoys are permitted for coyote hunting.

What firearms are disapproved for coyotes in Pennsylvania? Firearms legal for hunting furbearers include manually operated rifles or handguns of any caliber, manual or semi-automatic shotguns and, bows and crossbows.

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It is unlawful to take furbearers, including bobcats, with shotguns using shot larger than size number 4 buckshot, or implements that are not lawful firearms, bows or crossbows. Manually operated rifles or handguns of any caliber, manual or semi-automatic shotguns and, bows and crossbows can be used.

NEW 2017: Semiautomatic rifles and air guns now can be used for hunting small game and furbearers statewide, and there is no magazine restriction for either. These arms remain prohibited for hunting big game.

*Big game season coyote hunting firearm regulations apply. Please see second bolded subheader above.

How can I hunt coyotes during big game seasons with my general license in PA?  If you do not have a furtakers license, during big game seasons you may only hunt coyotes if you are lawful to hunt the big game that is season. That includes but is not limited to:

• wearing the appropriate fluorescent orange for the big game season.
• using the appropriate arms for the big game season.
• having appropriate licenses and unused tags for the big game season.
• abiding by the hunting hours listed in the digest for the big game season.

Are suppressors allowed in Pennsylvania? Yes, all game animals legal.

Legal ammunition or restrictions for coyotes in Pennsylvania? It is unlawful to hunt small game, furbearers, turkeys, waterfowl or crows with a manual or autoloading shotgun unless the magazine is limited to a two-shell capacity. A plug must be a one-piece filler installed so it cannot be readily removed without disassembling the gun or magazine.

Are there restrictions for transporting dead coyotes in Pennsylvania? No restrictions.

Recovering Dead or Injured Wildlife: It is unlawful for a hunter to refuse or neglect to make a reasonable effort to retrieve any killed or injured game or wildlife. Hunters attempting to recover wildlife are not permitted to enter private property without permission. A hunting license does not give you the right to trespass on private property.

Is night hunting allowed in Pennsylvania? Raccoon, fox, coyote* and bobcat may be hunted any hour, day or night, except during restricted periods in paragraph 1 (see furtaking section).

A person hunting raccoons, skunks, opossums, bobcats, weasels, foxes and coyotes on foot may use a handheld light, including a gun-mounted light. Furbearer hunters still may not use a flashlight or spotlight that projects a laser light beam.

Can you hunt coyotes from a vehicle in PA? It is unlawful to 1) hunt from a vehicle; 2) shoot at wildlife on a public road or right-of-way open to public travel; 3) shoot across a road unless the line of fire is high enough to preclude any danger to road users; and 4) alight from a vehicle and shoot at any wildlife until the shooter is at least 25 yards from the traveled portion of the roadway. NOTE: These provisions do not prevent an individual, who may not qualify for a Disabled Person’s Permit, but who has health concerns or problems to sit in or near a legally “parked” vehicle and watch for game. Loaded firearms may never be placed in, on or against any motor vehicle at any time.

Can baiting be used to hunt coyotes in Pennsylvania? Except in the southeast Special Regulations Areas, it is unlawful to hunt in or around any area where artificial or natural bait, food, hay, grain, fruit, nuts, salt, chemicals or minerals, including their residues, are used, or have been used within the past 30 days, as an enticement to lure game or wildlife regardless of the type or quantity. Hunters are responsible for ensuring that the hunting area has not been baited before they begin hunting. They should physically inspect the area and question landowners, guides and caretakers. This section does not pertain to hunting near areas where accepted farming or habitat management practices are taking place (example: hunting near food plots on game lands is legal). Any natural or man made nonliving bait can be used to attract coyotes for hunting or trapping. Bait cannot be visible from the air when trapping.

Can dogs be used to hunt coyotes in Pennsylvania? There is no prohibition on using dogs to hunt coyotes.

Is there a Coyote Bounty in PA? PA no longer has a bounty.

Hunter Orange:  Coyote hunters must wear 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange during the regular firearms season for deer or any bear season from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

This information is for informational purposes only. This website has no affiliation with any department of the above mentioned state. For your own safety please contact your local office to verify the information presented. CoyoteHunting101.com is not responsible for your own stupidity.