Coyote hunters across Missouri just got a significant boost to their season. The Missouri Department of Conservation recently extended the period when hunters can use thermal imaging, night vision, and artificial light equipment from a narrow two-month window to a sprawling nine-month opportunity.
Starting this year, hunters can deploy these high-tech tools from January 1st straight through September 30th. That's a massive jump from the previous setup, which only allowed thermal hunting from February 1st to March 31st. The Conservation Commission greenlit the change back in fall 2025, and it's already reshaping how sportsmen approach coyote management in the Show-Me State.
Why the Change Happened Now
Adam Doerhoff, who speaks for the MDC, explained the reasoning behind the extended season in straightforward terms. "The main thing is to give hunters more opportunity," he said. The department determined that hunter interest was strong and the coyote population could handle the increased pressure.
Missouri isn't breaking new ground entirely with this move. Six other states already permit thermal night hunting for coyotes. However, it's worth noting that federal law still prohibits night hunting of game animals across the board—a distinction that keeps coyotes in a different category as non-game animals.
The explosion in thermal technology availability played a crucial role in the decision. What used to be expensive, military-grade equipment has become increasingly affordable for average hunters. That accessibility factor convinced conservation officials that extending the season made sense both practically and economically.
"There hasn't been as much overall demand for coyotes here in recent years," Doerhoff acknowledged. "This thermal season kind of reignites a lot of hunters, many hunters who haven't hunted coyotes before or with this technology are finding out how fun it is."
Turkey Protection Takes Priority
The extended season doesn't mean open season on coyotes every single day, though. Conservation officials built in specific restrictions to protect wild turkey populations during critical breeding periods.
From April 1st through April 9th—the day before turkey season kicks off—hunters cannot chase, pursue, or take coyotes during daylight hours. This blackout period gives turkeys the space they need to mate, build nests, and get situated without added disturbance from coyote hunters trampling through the woods.
"Coyote season is open year-round," Doerhoff pointed out. "Other than we need to have some considerations for turkeys."
Once spring turkey season officially starts, coyote hunting continues but with a twist. Anyone wanting to hunt coyotes during this period must possess a valid spring turkey tag and follow all the regulations that apply to turkey hunting. It's a compromise that keeps both activities viable without one undermining the other.
Trapping Remains a Separate Ballgame
Beyond the thermal hunting expansion, coyote trapping operates on its own schedule. Trappers can set their lines from March 1st through April 31st, working within that traditional timeframe regardless of what's happening with thermal hunters.
The trapping side of coyote management faces different challenges these days. Fur prices have tanked in recent years, and that economic reality has dampened enthusiasm among trappers who used to rely on pelt sales as part of their income.
The global fur market has hit serious turbulence, with trade issues and changing consumer attitudes both contributing to the downturn. According to Volk Furs' 2026 season outlook, the market shows no signs of recovery anytime soon. Trappers who once found coyote pelts worth the effort are increasingly questioning whether the work pays off when buyers aren't offering decent prices.
That market collapse actually reinforces why the thermal hunting expansion makes sense from a management perspective. With trappers pulling back due to low fur prices, recreational hunters using thermal equipment can help fill the gap in keeping coyote populations in check.
What This Means for Hunters
For sportsmen who've been sitting on thermal or night vision equipment wondering when they'd get to use it, the answer is now most of the year. The nine-month window creates opportunities that simply didn't exist before, especially for hunters who work during the day or prefer hunting in conditions where coyotes behave differently than they do in daylight.
Coyotes are notoriously wary animals during daylight hours, often bedding down in thick cover and avoiding open areas where hunters might spot them. Once darkness falls, they become more active and less cautious, presenting opportunities that daytime hunters rarely see. Thermal imaging cuts through the darkness, letting hunters spot the heat signatures of coyotes moving through fields, along treelines, or near livestock areas where they cause problems.
The technology also levels the playing field for hunters who don't have the time or ability to scout extensively. Instead of spending weeks learning coyote patterns and setting up elaborate calling setups, thermal equipment allows for more spontaneous hunts based on real-time detection of animals actually present in an area.
Conservation Balance
The MDC's decision reflects a broader approach to wildlife management that tries to balance multiple interests. Coyotes play a complex role in Missouri's ecosystem—they help control rodent and rabbit populations but also prey on ground-nesting birds like turkeys and quail. Farmers and ranchers sometimes lose livestock to coyote predation, creating conflicts that management strategies need to address.
By expanding thermal hunting opportunities, the department gives hunters more tools to help manage coyote numbers without resorting to methods that might affect other wildlife. The turkey season restrictions demonstrate that same balance, ensuring that helping hunters pursue coyotes doesn't accidentally harm turkey recruitment during the most vulnerable time of year.
The year-round open season on coyotes makes them unique among Missouri wildlife. Deer, turkey, waterfowl, and other game species all have tightly controlled seasons designed to protect populations during breeding and rearing periods. Coyotes, as non-game animals that can impact other species and agricultural interests, get treated differently under state regulations.
Looking Forward
The success of this expanded season will likely determine whether Missouri makes additional changes to coyote hunting regulations down the road. If thermal hunters respond enthusiastically and the coyote population remains healthy, it could validate the approach and potentially inspire similar expansions for other management tools.
The Conservation Commission will presumably monitor harvest data, hunter participation numbers, and any effects on turkey populations or other wildlife that might interact with increased coyote hunting activity. Those metrics will guide future decisions about whether the current nine-month thermal season represents the right balance or whether adjustments might be needed.
For now, though, Missouri coyote hunters have something they haven't had before: the bulk of the year to use some of the most effective hunting technology available, with only a small window carved out for turkey conservation and the requirement to play by turkey rules during that specific season.
The change recognizes both the evolution of hunting technology and the practical realities of managing an adaptable predator that thrives across diverse habitats. Whether you're protecting livestock, managing predator populations for other game species, or simply enjoy the challenge of hunting one of North America's wariest animals, Missouri just gave you a lot more time to get after it.
