JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Conservation updated regulations regarding coyote hunting and feral hog control.

The change comes in response to public requests to the department’s Regulations Committee to use night vision, infrared, thermal imagery equipment or artificial light to hunt coyotes.

Also, landowners wanted to use night equipment without prior approval from a conservation agent to address damage caused by feral hogs. Landowners and their representative would be authorized to kill or take feral hogs using these methods without prior approval from a conservation agent throughout the year.

The regulations also allow properly licensed hunters to use artificial light, night vision, infrared or thermal imagery equipment in conjunction with other legal hunting methods to pursue and take coyotes from Feb. 1 through March 31.

The rules become effective Nov. 30.

MDC noted that property owners and their representatives can still use night vision, infrared, thermal imaging equipment or artificial light to kill coyotes or other wildlife causing property damage at any time of the year with written authorization from a conservation agent.

For more information on nuisance and problem species, visit the MDC website at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z5L.