Coyote Hunting in the Sandhills and River Valleys of North Dakota

Why North Dakota — and Its Sandhills & River Valleys — Is Top Predator Country

• Coyote populations are abundant across the state. They thrive in grasslands, agricultural fields, brushy draws, river breaks, and even mixed farmland + riparian zones. North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

• The landscape — open prairie, coulees, mixed terrain, wetlands, and river valleys — gives coyotes ample habitat diversity. This variety supports stable coyote populations year‑round. Dive Bomb Industries+1

• North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) lists coyote hunting as a statewide, year‑round open season with no bag or possession limits for most take methods. North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

• Statewide access — including public land, Wildlife Management Areas, national grasslands, and sometimes unposted private lands (with permission) — offers hunters lots of options for access. Dive Bomb Industries+2North Dakota Tourism+2

In short — the Sandhills, river breaks, and plains of North Dakota provide abundant habitat, liberal regulations, and terrain well‑suited for both day and night predator hunting.

Understanding Coyote Behavior & Habitat to Improve Success

• Coyotes in North Dakota inhabit everything from grasslands and farmland to brush‑lined draws, creek bottoms, coulees, and river valleys — areas likely to hold prey such as rabbits, rodents, or deer carrion. North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

• They often patrol field edges, shelterbelts, and creek or river bottoms, especially following prey or carrion. Dive Bomb Industries+1

• Winter and snow cover make tracks more visible and can drive coyotes to more predictable movement corridors (along ridges, coulees, or field/cover edges) — improving chances for calling or spotting. Dive Bomb Industries+1

• Coyotes are territorial. According to research specific to North Dakota populations, family groups hold territories — which may shift if alpha individuals are killed, but those home‑range patterns offer predictable areas to revisit. U.S. Geological Survey+1

Season & Legal Framework: Why ND Gives Flexibility

• Coyote hunting in North Dakota is open year‑round. North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

• Night hunting is legally allowed statewide (with firearms or approved methods) during the season window — meaning hunts aren’t limited to daylight hours. North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

• There are generally no bag limits or possession limits, giving predator hunters flexibility. Dive Bomb Industries+1

• For those interested: the state maintains a “Coyote Catalog” program. Landowners with predation or depredation concerns can register — giving hunters a way to connect for access and help with predator control. North Dakota Tourism+1

Proven Tactics for Hunting Coyotes in Sandhills, River Valleys & Plains

1. Scout Terrain — Focus on Cover + Prey Zones

• Look for river breaks, coulees, brush lines along creeks, shelterbelts, and grain‑field edges adjacent to wooded draws or water. Coyotes often hunt rodents and rabbits in these transition zones.

• Monitor field edges after harvest — leftover grain fields and field margins often attract rodents, which in turn draw coyotes.

• In winter, snow makes tracks easy to find. Glass ridgelines or vantage points overlooking broad coulees to spot movement.

2. Use Calling + Decoys Strategically

• Electronic calls (distress, rabbit squeals, fawn-in-distress, pup yelps) are effective — especially in open terrain where sound travels far. Many ND predator hunters use these tools with success. Predator Hunter Outdoors+1

• Set up in areas downwind of likely approach routes, with cover behind you and a clear field of view ahead. Wind direction matters — coyotes rely heavily on scent. Predator Hunter Outdoors+1

• Motion decoys can help draw curious or aggressive coyotes — especially bachelor males — when prey-scent or calling alone isn't producing. Many outfitters report success with decoys + calling combos. Dive Bomb Industries+1

3. Day vs. Night Hunting — Use Both

• Day‑hunting works in brushy river valleys or near cover where coyotes may move before or after midday, especially when hunting prey or checking livestock‑area edges.

• Night hunting is common and legal — snow‑covered fields, coulees, or open plains make coyotes easier to spot under moonlight or with lights (where allowed). Night hunts often yield due to lowered human pressure. North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

• Winter hunts — with snow on the ground — make spotting easier, and coyotes are often more active in search of prey. Visibility and tracking improve dramatically under winter conditions. Dive Bomb Industries+1

4. Blend Public Land, Private Land, and Cooperative Access

• Take advantage of public‑land holdings: national grasslands, Wildlife Management Areas, public lands, or Waterfowl/Grassland‑type parcels open to predator hunting. Dive Bomb Industries+1

• Use the Coyote Catalog to contact landowners with depredation issues — many appreciate responsible hunters helping manage predators around livestock or fawns. North Dakota Tourism+1

• Always respect property — close gates, avoid damage, and practice good field ethics: leave no trash, respect livestock/neighbor concerns, and follow local laws.

Gear & Setup Recommendations for ND Sandhills/Valley Coyote Hunts

• Optics: Good binoculars or spotting scope for day hunts, especially over open coulees or plains.

• Calling gear: Electronic predator calls, remote speakers; motion decoys where legal and ethical.

• Weapon choice: Flat-shooting centerfire rifles are common for open terrain. Shotguns or rifles depending on cover and shooting distances. Legal methods include rifles, shotguns, archery, and trapping (check NDGF regulations) North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

• Concealment: Low‑profile ground blinds, natural brush or shelterbelt cover; good wind control is critical.

• Field safety & ethics: Always know backdrop, confirm target, avoid shooting over livestock or fences. Use gloves when handling carcasses (disease risk). North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

Ethical Considerations & Predator Management Role

• Coyotes play complex ecological roles — they control rodents and small mammals but can threaten livestock or newborn deer/fawns. Responsible hunting can aid in balancing predator‑prey dynamics. North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

• Avoid indiscriminate shooting; focus on responsible harvest, especially in areas with livestock or private property nearby.

• Coordinate with landowners and local agencies — especially if using the Coyote Catalog system, to ensure predator control is targeted and lawful. North Dakota Tourism+1

• Use appropriate protective measures when handling carrion or fur — coyotes can carry diseases and parasites. Wear gloves and sanitize equipment after handling. North Dakota Game and Fish Department+1

Sample Hunt Plan — Sandhills / River Valley Coyote Hunt

Final Thoughts

The Sandhills, river breaks, coulees, and plains of North Dakota — with their mix of open country, brush draws, farmland, and riparian zones — offer some of the best coyote hunting terrain in the country. With liberal regulations, abundant coyote numbers, and flexible seasons, hunters who scout carefully, respect landowners and wildlife, and apply smart tactics can enjoy consistent success.

If you like — I can build a 2025–2026 North Dakota Coyote Hunting Guide (season windows, hotspot map, gear checklist) tailored for Sandhills + River Valley gear and tactics. Do you want me to start that for you now?