Hunting in South Carolina: 3 Things to Know About Urban Coyote Hunting in Cities and Suburbs

In South Carolina, as in other states, the coyote is established as a nuisance, and hunting these pests is encouraged. Their numbers have increased steadily and, because of urbanization and loss of habitat, they are moving into many suburbs.

According to the National Wildlife Control Training Program, coyotes prey on waterfowl, livestock and family pets in suburban areas. But more importantly, they have been known to attack people, especially small children. Some also are infected with rabies, making them even more dangerous.

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Coyotes look like small German shepherd dogs with erect, pointed ears, a slender muzzle, and black-tipped, bushy tail. Many coyotes are brown-gray with a light gray or cream-colored belly.

There is no closed hunting season for coyotes on private lands with a valid hunting license, although the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources advises that anyone wanting to remove a nuisance coyote in an incorporated area should first check with their city or town, since many municipalities ban hunting within corporate limits. There are rules involved in hunting coyotes, including in suburban areas, however, according to the SCDNR.

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Hunting at Night
From late winter to early summer, if you notify the SCDNR 48 hours in advance, you are allowed to hunt coyotes at night with artificial lights and night vision devices using any legal firearm, bow or crossbow.

Trapping
You can legally trap coyotes during the months of December, January and February with a valid commercial fur harvester's license.

Depredation Permits
Nuisance coyotes can also be legally hunted year-round with a depredation permit, which you can obtain from a local wildlife management office or law enforcement field office. However, you can hunt coyotes without a depredation permit if they come within 100 yards of your residence.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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