It’s Now Easier than Ever to Eradicate Coyotes in Missouri

If you believe the world would be a better place if there were less coyotes in it, you're in luck if you live in Missouri as there are now new laws in effect that make it easier than ever to zonk them.

Hard to believe that it was over 7 months ago when I passed along the word that the Missouri Department of Conservation had made adjustments to coyote hunting laws and regulations. North American Wildlife and Habitat on Facebook reminded me that now that we're past January 1, 2026, that means the following adjustments to coyote hunting in Missouri are as follows:

• Hunters now have more hours of the day when they can use artificial light, night or thermal vision
• Extend the allowed season to 252 days starting January 1 and continuing through September 30
• Conibear and similar type traps that are 7 inches in size or smaller to be used in dryland sets on private property instead of 5 inches
• Snares can now be used on dry land instead of just wetlands if it's on private property

These changes that just went into effect are a big deal as the previous limit for thermal vision or night vision tools was from Feb. 1 through March 31 only. I'm no genius at math, but 252 days is a lot better than just 59.

I've seen many hunters excited about taking advantage of the new leeway that Missouri is allowing when it comes to managing coyote populations. As per usual, if you need additional details or want to check for updates, you should always refer to the Missouri Department of Conservation website for the latest.