This section of our guide will focus on night hunting laws for some states in America as well as animals that are allowed to be hunted at night for each state. This list will only cover a summary of each state law, but you can refer to each state regulation for further information. Let’s have a look at a few, shall we?
Alaska
In Alaska, night hunting with the aid of night vision is prohibited and it is considered unlawful to possess such equipment as a hunter. Night vision equipment includes infrared light or tools used in connection with any electronic viewing device with similar light. Scopes and binoculars that are electronically powered are also not allowed when night hunting in Alaska.
On the contrary, you can hunt at night in Alaska using artificial light in place of night vision and spotlights, however; this use comes with certain restrictions. Using an artificial light would mean that you’re not hunting during the opening of the deer season or you have to turn off your vehicle engine when using its headlights. You can only hunt at night in Alaska without the aid of night vision tools, and artificial lights are permitted with restrictions.
Alabama
Similar to the law in Alaska, you can as well hunt at night in Alabama if you are going after alligators, pig frog, and bullfrog. There is however a limit to the quota of these animals that are permitted to be harvested. Hunting alligator at night is illegal in Alabama as hunters carry out activities without registering online within the set period. Persons must be lifetime or resident license holders to qualify for registration. Until then can night hunting be permitted in this state.
Use of night vision is prohibited and will be charged as unlawful when deployed to hunt animals at night. Talking about the use of artificial light in this part of the united states, you are permitted to hunt animals like fox during the late hours of the night making use of your light (you can have dogs also). Night hunting is allowed in Alabama so long as you are seeking to harvest alligators, pig frogs, and bullfrogs.
California
As far as California is concerned, it is illegal to be in possession of or to be caught using night vision enhancers or similar equipment to hunt birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. As spoken of earlier, night vision equipment includes infrared light with electronic viewing devices. Hunting with flashlights is allowed in California. The use of any size of artificial light will prove useful in taking the full and accurate bearing of mammals or non-game animals. If you’re in California and you’ll be hunting in the night, you should pay attention to the stated hunting laws. You may hunt with artificial lights like your vehicle headlights, but you cannot hunt for game during the night with the aid of a powerful spotlight or night vision.
Colorado
As opposed to other state laws on night hunting, you can hunt for anything in this state. Hunters are only allowed to carry out their activity when they carry with them their hunter education card. Hunters can harvest either big or small-game hunting with the help of night vision or artificial light. Animals allowed to be hunted on private lands at night are raccoons, beavers, coyotes, foxes e.t.c, making use of artificial light to aid you. The good thing about night hunting in Colorado is that artificial lights are also allowed on public roads only with the permit obtained from your local wildlife district. Animals that are allowed to be hunted at night in Colorado include; coyotes, raccoons, striped skunks, bobcats, foxes, and beavers.
Connecticut
There’s no restriction on state-owned lands concerning hunting hours in Connecticut as night hunting is allowed. However, when hunting at night, handguns and rifles that use ammunition larger than .22 rimfire caliber or shotgun shells that are larger than 2 shots are not allowed. Night harvest of foxes and coyotes is prohibited in this state. But you can hunt for other animals using night vision and artificial light. Connecticut allows hunters to harvest animals (except for coyotes and foxes) at night with restrictions to the type of caliber they use. It is illegal to take down opossums or raccoons using the light from your vehicle.
Washington
To begin night hunting in Washington, hunters are required to possess a small game license to hunt animals like; bobcats, crows, coyotes, raccoons, and so on. It is unlawful to hunt at night during October and November in vicinities that are open to firearm deer hunting. The use of night vision is prohibited in Washington. Night vision equipment includes light amplification devices, electronically powered light, and other similar gadgets used to foster better night vision.
Light aid may be deployed to hunt coyotes, except it is illegal to hunt coyotes at night within the months of October and November. Hunting big game using artificial light is also prohibited. Night harvest of furbearers is permitted, except that it comes with certain restrictions. The use of night vision and artificial light is only allowed when hunting coyotes at night, except during October and November.
Virginia
Virginia allows room for night hunting of foxes, bobcats, opossums, and raccoons only during authorized seasons of the year. The use of night vision scopes or similar devices to enhance night vision may be used when hunting during the night. Virginia also supports the use of artificial light, as long as it is not attached or connected to a vehicle. Deer hunting at night is prohibited in Virginia but you can hunt for animals like foxes, bobcats, raccoons e.t.c. Night vision enhancers and artificial light may be used, provided it is not attached to a vehicle.
