It’s About to Get a Lot Easier to Hunt Coyotes in Missouri

If you consider coyotes your mortal enemy and you live in Missouri, there's potential good news for you as the state is one step closer to making hunting the animals a lot easier.

The Missouri Department of Conservation just shared a press release on a proposal that will expand furbearer hunting and trapping chances if it receives final approval. Data is showing that populations like coyotes are increasing in Missouri which is why the state is considering making hunting them easier. Here's what is proposed:

• Increasing the hours when a hunter can use artificial light, night or thermal vision
• Extend the allowed season to 252 days starting January 1 and continuing through September 30
• 7 inches in size or smaller to be used in dryland sets on private property instead of 5 inches
• Snares could be used on dry land instead of just wetlands on private property

What happens if these proposals receive final approval?

The night vision, artificial light and thermal imaging would go into effect on January 1, 2026 while the rest would be effective as of April 1, 2026. These measures do require final approval before they become the law of the land in Missouri, but it looks likely that it will become very hazardous to be a coyote in Missouri in 2026.