Submitted by Kyle Dick,

Conservation Agent,

Atchison County, MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) updated regulations to the Wildlife Code of Missouri regarding coyote hunting at its Conservation Commission meeting September 4 in Jefferson City. The change comes in response to citizen requests to the Regulations Committee to use night vision, infrared, thermal imagery equipment, or artificial light to hunt coyotes.

The regulations allow properly licensed hunters to use artificial light, night vision, infrared, or thermal imagery equipment in conjunction with other legal hunting methods to pursue and take coyotes from February 1 through March 31.

The use of artificial light, night vision, infrared, and thermal imagery equipment to pursue or take coyotes from or with a motor-driven air, land, or water conveyance, or from/across a public roadway is prohibited.

MDC notes that property owners and their representatives can still use night vision, infrared, thermal imaging equipment, or artificial light to kill coyotes or other wildlife causing property damage at any time of the year with written authorization from a conservation agent.

Contact Conservation Agent Kyle Dick at 816-383-0404 or kyle.dick@mdc.mo.gov with questions regarding the updated regulations.