Coyote Hunting Regulations
The information provided in this article should always be verified with the state of California before accepting as fact. We hope this is a solid starting place to learn as you prepare for your future hunting endeavors.
In California, coyotes may be taken at any time of the year and in any number. A hunting license is required. Coyotes (nongame mammals) may be taken at any time of day except as provided in this section:
A). Area Closed to Night Hunting. Nongame mammals may be taken only between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset in the following described area: Beginning at a point where Little Panoche Road crosses Interstate 5 near Mendota; south on Interstate 5 to Highway 198; east on Highway 198 to Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the Los Padres National Forest boundary in Section 8, T 9 N, R 19 W, S.B.B.M near Fort Tejon Historical Monument; west along the National Forest boundary to Cerro Noroeste Road; northwest on Cerro Noroeste Road to Highway 33-166; north on Highway 33-166 to the Soda Lake Road; northwest on the Soda Lake Road and on the Simmler Soda Lake San Diego Creek Road to Highway 58 at Simmler; west on Highway 58 to the Cammotti Shandon Road; north on the Cammotti Shandon Road to the Shandon San Juan Road; north on the Shandon San Juan Road to Highway 41; northeast on Highway 41 to the Cholame Valley Road; northwest on Cholame Valley Road and Cholame Road to the Parkfield Coalinga Road in Parkfield; north on Parkfield Coalinga Road and Parkfield Grade to Highway 198; northwest on Highway 198 to the Fresno-Monterey county line; north along the Fresno-Monterey county and Fresno-San Benito county lines to the Little Panoche Road; north and east on the Little Panoche Road to the point of beginning at Interstate 5.
B). On privately-owned property, not included in (A) above, nongame mammals may be taken from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise only by the landowner or his agents, or by persons who have in their immediate possession written permission issued by the landowner or tenant that states the permittee can trespass from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise on property under the ownership or control of such landowners or tenants.
Use of Lights While Hunting – See here: https://fgc.ca.gov/Regulations/Current/Mammals/General-Provisions-and-Definitions#264
Night vision & thermal vision equipment is prohibited.
Electronic calls & decoys are legal.
Please check out the links below for more information on California Coyote Hunting regulations.⬇️
- California Department of Fish & Wildlife
- California Mammal Hunting Regulations: Nongame Animals
- Non-Lead Ammunition in California
- 2025/2026 California Mammal Hunting Regulations
Coyote Hunting Equipment
Coyote Hunting in California 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 California 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 California 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!