DNR - Nighttime Raccoon and Predator Hunting

Only raccoon, opossum, coyote and fox may be hunted at night. The following regulations apply:

Species (Type)	Open Season	Legal Type of Hunting	Legal Artificial Light ^A	Legal Devices^B
Raccoon (Regular)	Oct. 1 - Jan. 31	With dogs only. Firearm must be unloaded and arrows un-nocked except when taking raccoon in tree.	Only lights similar to the type ordinarily held in the hand or on the person. (Flashlights, portable battery-powered spotlights and headlamps, and similar portable lights designed to be carried in the hand or on the person are legal.) The use of natural light, including night vision optics and scopes, is legal.	Only a .22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle or handgun, or shotgun with loads other than buckshot, slug, ball or cut shell, or bow and arrow.
Raccoon (Damage Control)	July 15 - Sept. 30 and Feb. 1 - March 31	Only on private lands when doing or about to do damage; landowners and guests only; with dogs only. Firearm must be unloaded and arrows un-nocked except when taking raccoon in tree.
Opossum	Sept. 15 - March 31	With dogs only; firearm must be unloaded and arrows un-nocked except at point of kill.		Same as above except no rifles or handguns from Nov. 15 - Nov. 30 in Shotgun Zone.
Fox and Coyote (See note below)	Oct. 15 - March 1	With game or predator call only. Firearm may be loaded or arrow nocked only when using call.
Coyote (Damage Control)	Sept. 15 - Oct. 14 and March 1 - March 31	Only on private lands when doing or about to do damage; landowners and guests only; with game or predator call only; firearm may be loaded or arrow nocked only when using call.

Note: After fox season closes (March 1) hunting hours for coyote return to the regular hunting hours for small game.^AAn artificial light, including laser sights, of the type described above may be mounted on a person's clothing or firearm. Spotlights powered by vehicle batteries, floodlights, vehicle headlights or other artificial lights not similar to the type ordinarily held in the hand or on the person are illegal.^BAll hunters using a .22 or smaller caliber rimfire to take a furbearing animal, day or night, from Nov. 10 - Nov. 14, must have a fur harvester license.

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