Website: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Contact Phone Number: (888) 646-6367
Address: 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
Email: [email protected]
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Coyote Hunting Minnesota Laws & Regulations
Are coyotes defined as furbearer, game animal, or other in Minnesota? Unprotected mammals include: Weasels, coyotes, gophers, porcupines, striped skunks, and all other mammals for which there are no closed seasons or other protection are unprotected animals.
Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in Minnesota? No. Residents and nonresidents are not required to have a license to hunt unprotected species including coyote. Nonresidents do not need a furbearer hunting license in addition to their small game license to hunt fox.
Can a non-resident hunt coyotes in Minnesota? A nonresident must have a nonresident Furbearer Hunting License and a non-resident Small Game License to take raccoon and bobcat. A nonresident Furbearer Hunting License is not required to take fox and coyote. However, a Small Game License is still required to take fox and other small game.
Is there a specific season for coyotes in Minnesota? No closed season.
Is there a bag limit for coyotes in Minnesota? No limit.
What are the legal hunting hours in Minnesota? ½ hr. before sunrise to sunset, except from January 1 to March 15 with certain restrictions as noted below.
Are electronic game calls legal in Minnesota? Yes, for Coyote, Fox, and Crow.
Are decoys legal in Minnesota? Yes.
What firearms are approved/disapproved for coyotes in Minnesota? Unprotected birds and mammals may be taken in any manner, except with the aid of artificial lights or by using a motor vehicle to drive, chase, run over, or kill the animal.
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Are suppressors allowed for hunting in Minnesota? Bill HF 1434 – Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.031, subdivision 4, is amended to read: Subd. 4. Suppressors. Nothing in this section prohibits the lawful use of a suppressor or the possession of a firearm equipped to have a suppressor attached, as defined in section 609.66, subdivision 1a, paragraph (c), while hunting.
Legal ammunition or restrictions for hunting coyotes in Minnesota? No special restrictions.
Are there regulations for possessing, transporting dead coyotes, or pelts across state lines in Minnesota? Because coyotes are unprotected in Minnesota, there are no restrictions for coyotes. A person may not export or import a live coyote into the state unless authorized by the Commissioner.
Is night hunting allowed in Minnesota? A person hunting for coyote or fox from January 1 to March 15 may use an artificial handheld light if they meet ALL of the following conditions—you are:
- on foot and not within a public right-of-way,
- using a shotgun,
- using a calling device, and
- more than 200 feet from a vehicle.
A person may not cast artificial light onto a highway or into a field, woodland, or forest to locate or take a wild animal while possessing either individually or as one of a group, a firearm, bow or other implement that could be used to take big game, small game or unprotected species.
Shining is allowed for two hours after sunset without implements to take wild animals. From two hours after sunset until sunrise, no person may cast artificial light on a highway or into a field or forest to locate a wild animal.
A person may not cast artificial light on land that is marked with signs prohibiting the shining of lights.The signs must: 1) display letters that are at least 2 inches in height and state “no shining” or similar terms; and 2) be placed at intervals of 500 feet or less along the boundary of an area.
A person may not cast an artificial light onto fenced agricultural land or a residential property or building sites from a motor vehicle.
EXCEPTIONS
Without a firearm or a bow, a person who is on foot may use a handheld artificial light to retrieve wounded or dead big game animals.
A person taking raccoons or tending traps in accordance with all other regulations in this booklet. (See pages 41 and 49.)
A person hunting for coyote or fox from January 1 to March 15 may use an artificial handheld light under all of the following conditions:
- While on foot and not within a public right of way
- Using a shotgun
- Using a calling device
- Not within 200 feet of a vehicle
It is not a violation of this law to use laser range finders, shine lights without a firearm while doing any agricultural, safety, emergency response, normal vehicle operation or occupational-related activities or recreational activity, including snowmobiling, not related to spotting, locating or taking a wild animal.
Can I use night vision equipment when hunting in Minnesota? A person may not possess any kind of night vision or thermal imaging equipment while taking wild animals or while possessing a firearm, bow, or other implement that could be used to take wild animals.
This regulation does not apply to:
- a firearm that is unloaded, cased, and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle; or
- a bow that is cased or unstrung, and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
- If the vehicle does not have a trunk, the firearm or bow must be placed in the rearmost location of the vehicle.
Are there specific weapons allowed for night in Minnesota? Shotgun only.
Can you hunt coyotes from a vehicle in Minnesota? No, Although firearms transportation laws relating to hunting have changed, hunters are reminded the safest way to transport firearms is unloaded and cased. Not only does a case provide an extra measure of protection for your firearm but it is reminder to ensure that firearms are unloaded before transporting in or on a motor vehicle.
Can baiting be used to hunt coyotes in Minnesota? Unknown, check with your local county laws.
Can dogs be used to hunt coyotes in Minnesota? A person may not take a wild animal on any land where the person is prohibited from lawfully entering by this law. This prohibition includes coyote hunters intentionally running their dogs on posted or agricultural land without permission of the landowner, occupant, or lessee.
Is there a coyote bounty program in Minnesota? Check with your local county.
NOTE: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge (Big Stone and Lac qui Parle Counties) 44843 County Rd 19, Odessa, MN 56276, 320-273-2191. Small Game and deer hunting are open as posted with “Public Hunting Area” signs or shown on maps available at parking areas and at the Refuge Headquarters. The refuge is closed to migratory bird and coyote hunting.
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.
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Can a youth coyote hunter, hunt by themselves?
Can i use an ar15 to hunt coyote from sun rise to sunset?
Email DNR direct they will answer you can use your AR 15 I have ask DNR before they say I can use my AR 15 for coyotes
Don’t ask DNR anything , those stupid pricks give a different answer with each person you speak with.
YES: What firearms are approved/disapproved for coyotes in Minnesota? Unprotected birds and mammals may be taken in any manner, except with the aid of artificial lights or by using a motor vehicle to drive, chase, run over, or kill the animal.
This needs to be updated now that suppressors have been legalized in MN.
Thank you! It’s updated now.
I believe Coyotes can be hunted at night year around. Lights only from Jan 1st to March 15, but no implications of night hunting being illegal for the rest of the year.
So you can only use a shotgun at night when hunting coyotes then, right?
Correct
I checked with my local Conservation Officer, a shotgun is only required when you are using artificial lights for coyotes. If you are hunting by moonlight, it is legal to still use a rifle at night. Basically, lights = shotgun only.
Can you hunt coyotes on State land in MN?
Long as it is not unauthorised trespass or a closed refuge… meaning open to public hunting land and state game wildlife yellow signs are open
Can you use a laser sight while coyote hunting in MN or is that considered an artificial light?
I am trying to find out if I can use snares year round for coyote in Mn. or only during trapping season
This info is wrong
½ hr. before sunrise to sunset, except from January 1 to March 15 with certain restrictions as noted below.
that 1/2 before and to sunset is for trapping
The Jan 1- march is if you are using light
You can hunt without a light at night year round
Do we have to use a shotgun if were hunting coyotes during the deer seasons? Say if we use a deer gore pile to bait them in?
I hope every person that hunts and kills coyote is reincarnated and comes back as a coyote! There’s no good reason for having open season on hunting coyotes, they’re not dangerous or threatening to people. We should all coexist, show understanding and compassion towards life. Only then can there be any possibility for peace on Earth.
My daughter-in-law was being closely stalked (within 30 feet) by a pack of howling coyotes last weekend, in broad daylight as she was out agate hunting. Luckily, our son (her husband) was in close earshot and heard the commotion and came running to her rescue. So, you go ahead and coexist with these animals and see where it gets you.
Unfortunately, nature does not operate that way. The reality is that coyotes can over populate very quickly. That can have disastrous affects on other animal populations and on the coyote population itself. Coyotes are very susceptible to disease. The higher the population, the more likely diseases like distemper can spread and wipe out most, if not all, of the coyote population in a wide area. Coyotes are not protected so their numbers can be more easily controlled. But rest assured, they are not easy to kill. The best hunters and trappers can do is keep the population in check.
you are a special kind of stupid…..
I trapped coyotes on my own land in mn and I’m ready to sell. Do I need a license to sell them?
It’s interesting to note that a Traci Greenslade was before the courts on a theft charge and a charge for driving without a seatbelt and insurance. Apparently the individual has no concern for the welfare of other people. But then again, from you world view, humans don’t deserve to be treated respectfully. Ms. Greenslade-Coyotes are deadly. They carry rabies, heartworm, hydatid disease-a tapeworm that kills humans-,scarcoptic mange, canine distemper, canine parvovirus, tularemia, hookworms and roundworms, infectious canine hepatitus, equine encephalitus just to name a few. Some of these can lie dormant in humans 20-30 years. If you want to coexist with an animal that will kill you, by all means, do the rest of us a favor and follow through on it. In the meantime, don’t try to talk about things that you know NOTHING about.
“There’s no good reason for having open season on hunting coyotes, they’re not dangerous or threatening to people.” OMG, what kind of fairy tale world do you live in? Come out to the country, have them eat rip your beloved pets apart and eat them, kill some valuable livestock, predate your front yard in packs,,,,,Uniformed fools should keep silent lest they show the totality of their ignorance!
Can you hunt coyote in Minnesota on public hunting ground?
Truth is just look at the regulation, it changes constantly every year so you have to read it thoroughly every year before heading out. It’s exactly what it says. If it says you can use it if it’s at least 2.5 cali and an AR has a bigger or at least 2.5 cali then you can. I am a law enforcement graduate and as laws and regulations go it’s exactly what is written.
I heard rumor of you see a coyote on private land and its not posted can you legally shoot the coyote? Not sure if that’s true or not. If it is that could sure start some arguments.
can I night hunt coyotes with my bow and arrow ? there was a statement shotgun only for night hunting.