Coyote Hunting Regulations
The information provided in this article should always be verified with the state of Arizona before accepting as fact. We hope this is a solid starting place to learn as you prepare for your future hunting endeavors.
In Arizona, coyotes may be hunted during daylight or at night, depending on the season, with no bag limit. To hunt coyotes in Arizona, you need a valid hunting or combination license. Seasons are broken up into Daylight Shooting Hours & Daylong Shooting Hours (daylong means the 24-hour period between midnight and midnight). Please refer to pages 54-55 in the Hunting Regulations linked below.
Use of artificial light while taking coyote during seasons with day-long hours is allowed.
As of this writing, the following devices are prohibited: electronic night vision equipment, electronically enhanced light-gathering devices, thermal imaging devices or laser sights projecting a visible light; except for devices such as laser range finders projecting a non-visible light, scopes with self-illuminating reticles, and fiber optic sights with self-illuminating sights or pins that do not project a visible light onto an animal.
There are no current restrictions on the use of decoys & electronic calls.
Please check out the links below for more information on Arizona Coyote Hunting regulations.⬇️
Coyote Hunting Equipment
Coyote Hunting in Arizona has become extremely popular over the last few years and the equipment being used has greatly increased the success of hunters at night. Naturally, predators such as coyotes and fox prefer to hunt and dwell under the cover of darkness thus being undetected by other animals and humans. That being said, predators or more apt to come to your predator call during hours of darkness.
Hunting Lights
As predator hunting became more popular, the fact that predators were more mobile at night was nothing new. The predator hunters wanted to extend their season into the night and up their chances of becoming successful. With that being said, a whole new world of predator hunting at night was starting to become the more popular option. The early stages of nighttime predator hunting consisted of spotlights and car batteries….or anything one could rig up to work. White lights were originally used, but success was limited. As time went on and science came into play, red light became the preferred light spectrum as red is the least visible color to all things living.
Equipment technology was slowly advancing in the field of predator hunting at night, however, the curiosity and innovativeness of those dedicated hunters were at the forefront of a predator hunting equipment boom! Those same few hunters that were coming up with new night hunting rigs, were the same that were making advancements in developing new equipment to manufacture for the nighttime predator hunter.
One of the leaders in the night hunting lighting game is NightSnipe Hunting Lights made by Predator Hunter Outdoors based out of Attica, Michigan. Some of the first hunting lights to use the new LED technology were developed and manufactured under the NightSnipe name. Since the early stages, the lighting game technology and effectiveness have increased greatly. The modern technology that Predator Hunter Outdoors has implemented into their line of NightSnipe Hunting Lights allows the hunter to view/shoot the game at hundreds of yards with a traditional glass / daytime rifle scope. The same technology has been implemented into their IR Illuminators which allows the modern-day night vision hunter to see at extreme distances.
Predator Calls
The last decade in the predator hunting world has had major advancements in the technology being used in a variety of equipment including game calls. Game calls in the early stages were simply mouth calls which utilized a thin reed to produce different pitches of sounds when blown threw. Mouth calls are still being utilized in this modern day and age for those who prefer to be a bit more personally involved in the calling of the predators they peruse. Mouth calls also allow the hunter to have more control of the exact tones, volume, and overall trickery of wary predators.
Electronic Calls
While the mouth call is still utilized by some, the electronic game call is now the preferred and most utilized tool for actually calling predators. The ease of use, volume, tones, sequences, and variety all at the fingertips is a deadly combination for calling predators. Some of the more popular brands include ICOtec, FOXPRO, and Lucky Duck. Many prefer the ICOtec brand for ease of use, remote distance, remote layout, speaker volume and quality as well as overall quality and reliability. Hunters also enjoy the ability to run an electronic decoy directly on the call which can also be controlled directly from the remote.
Hunting Tripods
Predator Hunting at night has allowed the predator hunter to get away with a lot more in terms of concealment. The cover of darkness allows for the nighttime predator hunter to ultimately set up in the middle of fields, along tree lines, and in places they would normally never get away with during the day, all while in a standing position. That being said, the hunting or shooting tripod has gained extreme popularity over the past few years for ease of use, stability, and overall visibility.
However, the tripod itself is only part of the necessary equation with this style of hunting. A ball head or level head is needed to complete the shooting system. The ball head or level head is screwed directly to the stud on the tripod and is ultimately what gives the ability to lock your firearm in place or allow for complete rotation in every direction for precise shot placement. The carbon fiber NightSnipe Hunting Tripod line is one of the best in the industry and gives a large variety in terms of stability, locking power, and price. Most hunting tripods available are capable of collapsing down low enough for ease of use while laying, sitting, kneeling, and most importantly, standing.
Setting up for Success
Coyote Hunting in Arizona is typically done during the colder months when the hides are prime for harvest. However, as the sport becomes more popular, hunters are extending their seasons into the spring and summer months. Traditionally, hunting coyotes during the day requires the hunter to be fully camouflaged to avoid being detected as coyotes have excellent eyesight. Setting up in tree lines, brush piles, hay bales, and other visual breakups are ideal for keeping concealed.
The use of a decoy during daylight hunting hours is also a great tactic to implement as this will give the coyotes a visual to focus on. Most of the electronic calls available come with an electronic decoy that can be attached directly to the caller and also controlled with your remote. This adds to the realism of the calling scheme as the sound is coming directly from the same location as the decoy.
Setting up at Night
Coyote Hunting in Arizona at night is a bit laxer as the cover of darkness helps to conceal the hunter from being detected. Additionally, having adequate cover to set up in or near is less critical. Setting up in the middle of fields, along tree lines, ditches, and other less visually protected areas is acceptable and the rate of success is positive.
One critical thing to keep in mind when coyote hunting during the day or night is wind direction. Coyotes rely heavily on their superb sense of smell and utilize it to their full advantage. Setting up with the proper wind direction and the ability to see in multiple directions will increase the odds of success.
The modern-day night-time predator hunter has a variety of tools available to help become successful in this sport. However, the best tool is experience, and that comes with time.
Predator Hunter Outdoors offers a wide range of hunting lights, shooting tripods, calls, sights, mounts, accessories, and equipment advice to help make your coyote hunt successful!