Coyote Season in Georgia: Mating, Pups and Pet Safety

Coyotes mate in late winter. Across the 37 states whose wildlife agency or extension service dates it, February is named by every one of them, and 35 put mating entirely between January and March. Expect more howling and bolder coyotes in Georgia in those months.

Coyote pups in Georgia are born in March and April. The University of Georgia puts it this way: “The study determined that Georgia coyotes give birth from mid-March through mid-April, with litters ranging from two to nine pups in the present sample.”

Yes. Coyote hunting is open all year in Georgia with no bag limit, under the 2026 to 2027 rules from Georgia DNR. You need a Georgia hunting license for residents 16 and older (not needed on land owned by the hunter or their immediate family in the same household). On hunting at night: “Legal hours for hunting are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, except alligators, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, bobcats and feral hogs which may be hunted at night.”

Do not run. Wild Aware Utah puts it this way: “Do not run or turn your back on a coyote that has approached you. Face the coyote, shout at it, be as big and loud as possible, wave your arms and back away slowly.”

The Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division: 1-800-366-2661. Georgia DNR puts it this way: “Need more advice? Call 1-800-366-2661.”

Coyote trapping is open all year in Georgia under the 2026 to 2027 rules from Georgia DNR. “No closed season for trapping coyotes.”

Coyotes can take cats and small dogs, and can treat a larger dog as a threat while mating and raising pups. Georgia DNR advises: “Keep pets inside or leashed when outside.” It also says: “Monitor pets when they are outdoors, even in a fenced in yard.”