California’s Fish and Game Commission is considering a significant shift in how coyotes are managed — and hunters across the state have reason to pay attention. At its upcoming meeting on May 15, 2025, the Commission will discuss whether to begin rewriting the rules that have long allowed for year-round, no-limit coyote hunting.
The proposal comes from the Commission’s Wildlife Resources Committee (WRC), which is recommending that coyotes be removed from the list of nongame mammals — a move that could lead to new restrictions, seasons, or reporting requirements in the future.
Current Regulations: Year-Round Flexibility
As it stands, coyotes are classified as nongame mammals in California. That means there’s no bag limit, no set season, and no tag requirement. For landowners, ranchers, and hunters, that flexibility has been essential — especially in rural areas where coyote pressure is constant and predator control isn’t a once-a-year issue.
From damage to livestock to declining fawn and turkey recruitment, the effects of an overabundant coyote population aren’t theoretical — they’re happening on the ground.
What the WRC Is Proposing
The WRC is not proposing a ban on coyote hunting. But it is recommending a formal rulemaking process that could reclassify coyotes and bring new limits into play.
While the details would come later, reclassification could lead to:
- Seasonal hunting closures
- Daily or annual bag limits
- Mandatory harvest reporting or tagging
State officials say this would bring coyote management in line with “ecosystem-based” wildlife planning — but many hunters are concerned about losing one of the few remaining tools for proactive predator management.
Growing Concerns in the Field
Organizations like the California Cattlemen’s Association and many hunter-led conservation groups are sounding the alarm. Their concern isn’t just about regulation — it’s about losing the ability to respond quickly and effectively to predator pressure, especially during calving and lambing seasons.
There’s also frustration over how this recommendation came about. Critics say the April 18 WRC meeting didn’t clearly announce that a vote would take place, limiting public input on a potentially major policy change. For hunters who have long worked with state agencies in good faith, the process felt rushed.
If these regulations move forward, they could restrict access to one of the most practical and responsive predator control methods available, especially in areas without large predator populations to help keep coyotes in check.
When and How to Get Involved
The California Fish and Game Commission will meet on May 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Sacramento to discuss the WRC’s recommendation.
- To attend remotely, click here.
- For Zoom or phone instructions, click here.
- To submit comments ahead of time, email: fgc@fgc.ca.gov
Public comment will also be accepted during the meeting.
Final Thoughts
No one’s saying hunting is going away tomorrow. But if this proposal moves forward, it could become a tipping point — setting the stage for more restrictions on predator hunting in the future.
This isn’t just about coyotes. It’s about maintaining a hunter’s ability to be part of the wildlife management solution. If the rules change without input from those who live and work closest to the land, the result could be less responsive, less effective predator control — with real consequences for wildlife, agriculture, and habitat.
If you hunt, ranch, or care about sound wildlife management, now’s the time to get involved.
