Night Hunting Laws (USA)
## NOD Hunter Night Hunting Laws Reference
Below is a comprehensive reference guide for night hunting regulations across the United States, compiled for **NOD Hunter** customers. This information helps hunters understand what equipment is legal in their state when using night vision and thermal devices.
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# NOD Hunter: State-by-State Night Hunting & Night Vision Regulations
*Last Updated: 2026*
**Important Disclaimer:** This information is compiled as a reference for NOD Hunter customers. Hunting regulations change frequently and vary by county and local jurisdiction. **Always verify current regulations with your state's wildlife agency before hunting.**
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## Alabama
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
**Website:** www.outdooralabama.com
**Phone:** 334-242-3465
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## Alaska
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Alaska Department of Fish and Game
**Website:** www.adfg.alaska.gov
**Phone:** 907-465-4100
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## Arizona
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Arizona Game and Fish Department
**Website:** www.azgfd.gov
**Phone:** 602-942-3000
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## Arkansas
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
**Website:** www.agfc.com
**Phone:** 800-364-4263
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## California
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** California Department of Fish and Wildlife
**Website:** www.wildlife.ca.gov
**Phone:** 916-445-0411
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## Colorado
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Colorado Parks and Wildlife
**Website:** www.cpw.state.co.us
**Phone:** 303-297-1192
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## Connecticut
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
**Website:** www.ct.gov/deep
**Phone:** 860-424-3011
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## Delaware
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
**Website:** www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw
**Phone:** 302-739-9912
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## Florida
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
**Website:** www.myfwc.com
**Phone:** 850-488-4676
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## Georgia
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Georgia Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.georgiawildlife.com
**Phone:** 770-918-6400
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## Hawaii
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
**Website:** www.dlnr.hawaii.gov
**Phone:** 808-587-0400
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## Idaho
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Idaho Fish and Game
**Website:** www.idfg.idaho.gov
**Phone:** 208-334-3700
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## Illinois
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Illinois Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.dnr.illinois.gov
**Phone:** 217-782-6302
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## Indiana
**Night Hunting:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Indiana Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.in.gov/dnr
**Phone:** 317-232-4200
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## Iowa
**Night Hunting:** Red light is considered artificial light and cannot be used in tandem with a night vision device. Verified with Iowa DNR Law Enforcement.
**Night Vision:** Contact state agency for current regulations.
**Agency:** Iowa Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.iowadnr.gov
**Phone:** 515-281-8688
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## Kansas
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyote and furbearers. Hand-held, battery-powered flashlights, hat lamps, or hand-held lanterns may be used to take trapped furbearers, trapped coyotes, or furbearers treed by dogs with .22 rimfire rifles and handguns. Artificial lights are otherwise restricted.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed. Use of artificial light, including optics that project or amplify light, is prohibited for taking furbearers and coyotes at night.
**Agency:** Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
**Website:** www.kdwp.state.ks.us
**Phone:** 316-342-0658
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## Kentucky
**Night Hunting:** Allowed. Hunters can use a shotgun to take coyotes at night year-round. Lights or night vision equipment can only be used from February 1 through May 31. Shotgun loaded with shells up to size T is the only legal firearm. Slugs are prohibited. Decoys and electronic calls are allowed.
**Night Vision:** Allowed from February 1 through May 31. Verified with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.
**Agency:** Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
**Website:** www.fw.ky.gov
**Phone:** 800-858-1549
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## Louisiana
**Night Hunting:** Allowed on private property with landowner permission. Outlaw quadrupeds (coyotes, armadillos, feral hogs), nutria, or beaver may be taken during nighttime hours with legal firearms, with or without artificial light, infrared, laser sighting devices, or night vision devices. 24-hour advance notice to parish sheriff's office required.
**Night Vision:** Allowed per Louisiana Hunting Regulations.
**Agency:** Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
**Website:** www.wlf.louisiana.gov
**Phone:** 225-765-2350
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## Maine
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyote and raccoon only. Coyote night hunting permit required (Dec 16–Aug 31). Hunting hours: 1½ hours after sunset until 1½ hours before sunrise. Ceases at midnight Saturday, resumes 12:01 am Monday. Electronic predator calling device required. Artificial lights permitted.
**Night Vision:** Allowed for coyote hunting. Not permitted for raccoon hunting. Verified with Maine Game Warden.
**Agency:** Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
**Website:** www.maine.gov/ifw
**Phone:** 207-287-8000
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## Maryland
**Night Hunting:** Allowed Oct 15–March 15 statewide (except Sundays) for coyotes, opossums, raccoons with artificial lights. Fox seasons vary by region. Laser sights prohibited. Laser rangefinders legal.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not restricted per state regulations. Verified by MD Wildlife & Heritage Service.
**Agency:** Maryland Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.dnr.maryland.gov
**Phone:** 410-260-8540
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## Massachusetts
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyotes, foxes, raccoon, opossums (shotgun only). Closes at midnight. Artificial lights prohibited except for raccoon and opossums. Sunday hunting prohibited.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not restricted per state regulations. Verified by Massachusetts DNR.
**Agency:** Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
**Website:** www.mass.gov/dfw
**Phone:** 508-792-7270
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## Michigan
**Night Hunting:** Allowed. Handheld lights only: flashlights, portable battery-powered spotlights, headlamps permitted.
**Night Vision:** Allowed. Use of night vision optics and scopes is legal per state regulations.
**Agency:** Michigan Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.michigan.gov/dnr
**Phone:** 517-373-1263
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## Minnesota
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyotes and foxes (Jan 1–March 15) with artificial handheld light while on foot, using shotgun and calling device, not within 200 feet of vehicle.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed. Possession of night vision equipment while taking wild animals or possessing a firearm is prohibited.
**Agency:** Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.dnr.state.mn.us
**Phone:** 888-646-6367
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## Mississippi
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for raccoon, fox, opossum, beaver, nutria, coyotes, bobcats at night with or without light and with dogs, except during spring turkey season.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not specifically restricted per state regulations.
**Agency:** Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
**Website:** www.mdwfp.com
**Phone:** 601-432-2400
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## Missouri
**Night Hunting:** Artificial lights may be used only for bullfrogs, green frogs, or raccoons and furbearers when treed with dogs.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed. Night vision and thermal equipment may not be possessed while in possession of any firearm, bow, or other implement for taking wildlife.
**Agency:** Missouri Department of Conservation
**Website:** www.mdc.mo.gov
**Phone:** 573-751-4115
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## Montana
**Night Hunting:** Allowed on private land only (not public lands) with written landowner permission. Spotlights permitted for coyote hunting.
**Night Vision:** Allowed for predator (coyote, weasel, skunk, civet cat) and nongame species (badger, raccoon, red fox, hares, rabbits, ground squirrels, etc.). Verified by MT DNR.
**Agency:** Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
**Website:** www.fwp.mt.gov
**Phone:** 406-444-2535
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## Nebraska
**Night Hunting:** Allowed. Spotlights may not be attached to a vehicle, and handheld lights cannot be used from a vehicle.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not restricted per wildlife regulations. Verified by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.
**Agency:** Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
**Website:** www.outdoornebraska.gov
**Phone:** 402-471-0641
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## Nevada
**Night Hunting:** Allowed. Spotlighting regulations are county-specific. Contact County Sheriff for current laws. Some furbearer seasons closed to non-residents.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not restricted in state regulations, but county restrictions may apply. Check with County Sheriff.
**Agency:** Nevada Department of Wildlife
**Website:** www.ndow.org
**Phone:** 775-688-1500
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## New Hampshire
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyotes (Jan 1–March 31). Artificial lights allowed except from motor vehicle. Written landowner permission required.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not prohibited per state regulations.
**Agency:** New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
**Website:** www.wildlife.nh.gov
**Phone:** 603-271-3422
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## New Jersey
**Night Hunting:** Allowed during special fox and coyote permit season (typically Jan 1–March 15). Shotgun only. Portable lights allowed. Laser sights and rifles prohibited.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not prohibited per state regulations. Verified by NJ DNR.
**Agency:** New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
**Website:** www.njfishandwildlife.com
**Phone:** 609-292-2965
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## New Mexico
**Night Hunting:** Not Allowed. Legal shooting hours: 1½ hours before sunrise to 1½ hours after sunset for all wildlife.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed due to restricted shooting hours. Verified by NM DNR.
**Agency:** New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
**Website:** www.wildlife.state.nm.us
**Phone:** 888-248-6866
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## New York
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for furbearers (coyote, fox, bobcat, raccoon, opossum, skunk, mink, weasel). Artificial lights permitted.
**Night Vision:** Allowed. Light-gathering (starlight) scopes are legal per state regulations.
**Agency:** New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
**Website:** www.dec.ny.gov
**Phone:** 518-402-8924
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## North Carolina
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for feral hogs and coyotes on private lands with landowner permission. Artificial lights for spotting/scanning permitted.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not prohibited per state regulations. Infrared night vision also legal. May be used for scouting, navigating, tracking wounded game.
**Agency:** North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
**Website:** www.ncwildlife.org
**Phone:** 919-707-0010
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## North Dakota
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyote and fox using natural light only. Hunters must be on foot and use predator call. Artificial lights, night vision, light-gathering optics, and thermal imaging prohibited for hunting or locating game.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed for hunting or locating game.
**Agency:** North Dakota Game and Fish Department
**Website:** www.gf.nd.gov
**Phone:** 701-328-6300
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## Ohio
**Night Hunting:** Allowed. Hunters must use continuous white light visible for at least 1½ miles (6pm–6am). Persons hunting with a call from stationary position may use single beam light of any color.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not prohibited per state regulations. Confirmed with state law enforcement.
**Agency:** Ohio Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.ohiodnr.gov
**Phone:** 614-265-6300
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## Oklahoma
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for raccoon, fox, and other furbearers. Coyote hunting with artificial lights or sight dogs from dark to daylight is prohibited.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed. Use of light enhancement devices (night scopes) for taking wildlife prohibited.
**Agency:** Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
**Website:** www.wildlifedepartment.com
**Phone:** 405-521-2730
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## Oregon
**Night Hunting:** Allowed with restrictions. Bobcat, opossum, raccoon may be hunted with artificial light not from motor vehicle. Landowner/agent may use artificial lights without license for predator control.
**Night Vision:** Allowed for predatory animals (coyotes, rabbits, rodents, feral swine) on private lands by landowner/agent. Not allowed for other wildlife. Verification: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
**Agency:** Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
**Website:** www.dfw.state.or.us
**Phone:** 503-947-6000
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## Pennsylvania
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for raccoons, skunks, opossums, bobcats, weasels, foxes, coyotes on foot. Handheld or gun-mounted lights permitted. Laser lights prohibited.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed. Night vision devices prohibited under Electronic Contrivances regulation. Verified by PA DNR.
**Agency:** Pennsylvania Game Commission
**Website:** www.pgc.pa.gov
**Phone:** 717-787-4250
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## Rhode Island
**Night Hunting:** Not Allowed.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed. Use or possession of night vision equipment while hunting prohibited.
**Agency:** Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
**Website:** www.dem.ri.gov
**Phone:** 401-222-6800
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## South Carolina
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for hogs, coyotes, armadillos with artificial light carried on person (helmet/hat-mounted or part of belt system).
**Night Vision:** Allowed for hogs, coyotes, armadillos with or without bait, electronic calls, artificial lights, or night vision devices.
**Agency:** South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.dnr.sc.gov
**Phone:** 803-734-3886
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## South Dakota
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyote, bobcat, fox, badger, mink, raccoon, opossum. Landowner/occupant + one guest may use artificial light year-round for specified species.
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed. Possession of night vision equipment while hunting prohibited.
**Agency:** South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
**Website:** www.gfp.sd.gov
**Phone:** 605-223-7660
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## Tennessee
**Night Hunting:** Permitted for bullfrogs, raccoons, opossums, and for chasing foxes/rabbits (no shooting while chasing/training).
**Night Vision:** Not Allowed. Night vision scopes prohibited for all game and non-game animals.
**Agency:** Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
**Website:** www.tn.gov/twra
**Phone:** 615-781-6500
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## Texas
**Night Hunting:** Allowed on private property for non-protected nongame and fur-bearing animals with artificial light. Notify local game warden in advance. Not allowed on public lands.
**Night Vision:** Allowed for fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, and exotic animals (including feral hogs). Verified with Texas Parks & Wildlife.
**Agency:** Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
**Website:** www.tpwd.texas.gov
**Phone:** 800-792-1112
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## Utah
**Night Hunting:** Allowed in specified counties only. Check with local city/county officials.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not restricted by state regulations. Check local ordinances.
**Agency:** Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
**Website:** www.wildlife.utah.gov
**Phone:** 801-538-4700
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## Vermont
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for raccoons, skunks, coyotes at any hour. Artificial lights prohibited except for raccoon/skunk hunting with dogs.
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not prohibited per state regulations. Verified by VT DNR.
**Agency:** Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
**Website:** www.vtfishandwildlife.com
**Phone:** 802-828-1000
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## Virginia
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for bobcat, foxes, raccoons, opossums during authorized seasons. Nuisance species (coyote, feral hogs, groundhog, nutria) may be taken day or night. Sunday hunting restricted.
**Night Vision:** Allowed. Lights permitted if not vehicle-mounted. Night vision scopes and laser sights may be used. Verified by Virginia Dept of Game & Inland Fisheries.
**Agency:** Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
**Website:** www.dwr.virginia.gov
**Phone:** 804-367-1000
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## Washington
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyotes, bobcats, raccoons during established seasons.
**Night Vision:** Allowed for species that can be legally hunted at night. Verified with WDFW.
**Agency:** Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
**Website:** www.wdfw.wa.gov
**Phone:** 360-902-2200
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## West Virginia
**Night Hunting:** Allowed for coyote using amber or red-colored artificial light (Jan 1–July 31).
**Night Vision:** Allowed, not prohibited per state regulations. Verified by WV Division of Natural Resources.
**Agency:** West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.wvdnr.gov
**Phone:** 304-558-2754
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## Wisconsin
**Night Hunting:** Allowed. Flashlight may be used at point of kill for coyote, raccoon, fox, or unprotected species while on foot, or for navigation. Cannot be used to shine/search for animals. Local ordinances may apply.
**Night Vision:** Allowed with restrictions. Night vision devices cannot be aided with artificial light (including IR). IR-emitting night vision devices not legal for shining but can be used at point of kill and for navigation. Verified by Wisconsin DNR.
**Agency:** Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
**Website:** www.dnr.wisconsin.gov
**Phone:** 888-936-7463
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## Wyoming
**Night Hunting:** Allowed on private property only (not public) with written landowner permission. Spotlights permitted for nighttime predator hunting.
**Night Vision:** Allowed for predators on private land with written landowner permission. Verified with Wyoming DNR.
**Agency:** Wyoming Game and Fish Department
**Website:** www.wgfd.wyo.gov
**Phone:** 307-777-4600
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## Important Customer Notice
**NOD Hunter recommends that all customers:**
1. **Verify current regulations** with your state wildlife agency before hunting
2. **Check county and local ordinances** which may be more restrictive than state laws
3. **Obtain required permits** (such as night hunting permits where applicable)
4. **Secure landowner permission** where required
5. **Contact local law enforcement** when required by state regulations
*Hunting regulations change frequently. The information above is compiled as a reference and may not reflect recent changes. NOD Hunter is not responsible for regulatory violations.*
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**For questions about NOD Hunter products, contact:**
**Website:** www.nodhunter.com
**Email:** support@nodhunter.com
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