Coyote Season in South Carolina: Mating, Pups and Pet Safety

Coyotes in South Carolina mate from January to March. SCDNR puts it this way: “Coyotes are generally monogamous, with breeding among the dominant resident pair beginning in January and continuing into March.” It is the loudest stretch of the coyote year: pairs court and mark their ground, and coyotes travel farther and show up more often by day.

Yes. Coyote hunting is open all year in South Carolina, under the 2026 to 2027 rules from SCDNR. You need a hunting license. On hunting at night: “A hunting license is required to hunt coyotes at night. In addition, the landowner must register their property with SCDNR for night hunting. Coyotes may not be hunted at night on any unregistered property, except with a SCDNR-issued depredation permit.”

SCDNR puts it this way: “If a coyote is seen, act aggressively towards the animal, but do not run.”

SCDNR Furbearer Project: (803) 734-3609. SCDNR puts it this way: “Coyotes that exhibit aggressive behavior should be removed by a professional trapper. The SCDNR maintains an online list of Wildlife Control Operators that perform wildlife removal services, usually for a fee.”

Coyote trapping in South Carolina runs December 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027 under the 2026 to 2027 rules from SCDNR.

Coyotes can take cats and small dogs, and can treat a larger dog as a threat while mating and raising pups. SCDNR advises: “People should walk their pets in more open areas that prevent a coyote from ambushing the pet. All pets being walked should be kept on a short leash.” It also says: “Coyotes are most active beginning near dusk and continuing into the early morning hours after dawn, so it is advisable to keep smaller pets inside at night if possible.”