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Coyote Hunting
When can I hunt coyotes?
During most of the year coyotes may be hunted with only a general license, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, during any open big game season, you will need to be lawful to hunt the appropriate big game or have a furtaker’s license.
How can I hunt coyotes during big game seasons with my general license?
If you do not have a furtaker license, during big game season 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
May I hunt coyotes on Sundays with my general hunting license during the big game season?
Yes. You do NOT need a furtaker license to hunt coyotes on Sundays because Sundays are not considered open season for big game.
May I hunt coyotes at night during a big game season with my furtaker license?
Yes. Only those with furtaker licenses may hunt coyotes at night during the big game season. However, you should expect to undergo quite a bit of scrutiny from a game warden if you are approached while hunting coyotes at night during a big game season. The wardens will just be doing their job under the circumstances.
May I use electronic predator calls and decoys while hunting coyotes?
Yes. Electronic calls and decoys are permitted for coyote hunting.
May I use a dog to hunt furbearers?
Dogs are permitted to hunt furbearers. Electronic devices used for locating dogs while training or hunting, including such devices as e-collars, radio-telemetry dog tracking systems and beeper collars are permitted.
What arms may I use to hunt coyotes?
Firearms legal for hunting furbearers include semi-automatic and manually operated rifles or manually operated handguns of any caliber, manual or semi-automatic shotguns and, bows and crossbows. Air-or-gas-operated firearm of at least 22-caliber and propel a single-projectile pellet or bullet can be used. 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. Big game season coyote hunting firearm regulations apply. Please see bolded subhead above.
May I use a gun-mounted light while coyote hunting?
Persons hunting for furbearers, including coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, opossums and weasels, may use gun-mounted lights that DO NOT project a laser-light beam.
Can I use a semi-automatic rifle to hunt coyotes?
Yes. Semi-automatic rifles are lawful devices to hunt coyotes in Pennsylvania.
Where can I read more about coyote hunting?
Details about furtaking seasons and bag limits can be found in the 2017-18 Hunting & Trapping Digest.