[NorCalRifleman]

Are there many opportunities to hunt coyote on public land in Arizona? I'm getting ready to head over there for a few months (to the Sierra Vista area) and have been wanting to give coyote calling a try for a while now. Anyone from that area who could point me in the right direction? I'd like to know if bringing my rifle along for the trip would be worth the trouble.

[oldhammy1]

As long as it is national forest (forest service), state trust, or BLM land, you can hunt coyotes on that land. Be aware of private property and roads nearby (.25 mile minimum distance), but otherwise have at it. Find a good hill that you can see in all directions. Go full camo. Call for 15 to 30 minutes. If nothing comes in, move on to another spot. See this link for a statewide map of puplic areas.

http://www.land.state.az.us/images/maps/stateimage.pdf

[sixgunner455]

Please be aware that to hunt anything in Arizona, you have to have a license. Coyotes are in season all year and there is no bag limit, but you do have to have a license and you can only hunt them during daylight hours.

There are sometimes a lot of coyotes near Sierra Vista. They are probably the most common larger animal seen in Arizona. If you are going to have time for recreation while down there, yeah, bring your rifle.

[NorCalRifleman]

oldhammy1,
Thanks for the great info. That map is good stuff.

[FrogClan]

What SixGunner said. The non-resident Class G (general) hunting license will cost $113.50. Resident licenses are $25.50. I'm not sure what you need to prove residency for a license, but anyone resident more than 30 days meets the residency test for buying a handgun. Utility bills with a physical address might satisfy the requirement, as might a housing lease of some sort.

A Class H non-resident license, good for 3 days, will let you hunt coyotes. They cost $51.50.

Licenses can be bought over the counter at WalMart. There is a WalMart at the east end of Sierra Vista.

Most of the ranchers in southern AZ will be happy to let you hunt their land for coyotes. Most ranches are not posted at all... with AZ hunting laws, any private land not specifically posted "No Hunting" allows hunting. Land posted "No Hunting" requires the written permission of the land owner before hunting the property. Some ranchers put signs on their property requiring hunters to sign in on the book attached to the sign before hunting as a way of granting permission to hunt there.

Two good spots near to Sierra Vista are the Lindsey Ranch at mile marker 12 on Charleston Road (the road connecting Sierra Vista to Tombstone). The gate stays closed but if it is not locked you are allowed to hunt there as long as you honor the restrictions posted on the sign at the gate. Close the gate behind yourself on the way in or out.

The other is the Cowan Ranch just east of mile marker 1 on Gleeson Road (just east of Tombstone). Sign in at the box on the signpost where Cowan Ranch Road leads south off Gleeson Road.

There are plenty of other good spots around SV, just ask around.

http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/game_coyote.shtml

[Lennyjoe]

Southern Arizona has alot of open land to hunt coyotes. Like everyone else said, ranchers will thank you.

I do most of my coyote hunting off of Rt 286 S. which is west of Tucson. There is plenty of area on 83 S. between I-10 and Sonoita.

Empire ranch is on the west side of 83 S if your coming from off of I-10. It's wide open and plenty of yotes out that way.

Grab a recreational map of Arizona if you can and have at it.

When are you coming out this way?

[NorCalRifleman]

I'll be headed that way in one month. Looks like I'll have to wait thirty days before I can get a military/resident license. I'm definitely bringing my rifle!

[Lennyjoe]

Bird hunt by chance? Doves are a hoot during the early season (1-20 Sept)

Is still a bit warm until about the end of Oct here so bring a camelback.

[RemoW]

I would love to try Dove hunting and I am in Tucson. If you guys hook, let me know. I would like to join you.



Dan...