Wildlife Removal Laws by State: Can You Trap, Kill or Relocate Nuisance Animals? (2026)

Why State Law Matters

Wildlife in the United States is held in trust by the states. That means the rules for removing an animal from your home or yard are set by your state wildlife agency, not by a single federal law. Two homeowners dealing with the same raccoon — one in Texas, one in California — can face completely different permit, trap, and relocation rules. Knowing the general framework below gets you most of the way there; confirming the details with your state agency is the final, essential step.

A few federal laws do apply everywhere. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects nearly all native birds, and the Lacey Act restricts moving wildlife across state lines. Bats and certain protected species can have additional federal safeguards. But day-to-day nuisance wildlife removal is overwhelmingly a state matter.

The Two Categories That Explain Most Rules

Nearly every state sorts wildlife into two buckets, and your legal options depend on which bucket the animal is in:

1. Nongame / unprotected species — the usual attic and yard invaders: raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels, rats, mice, gophers, moles, and (in the South) armadillos. On your own property, most states let you take these when they are causing damage, often without a license. But “take” usually means live trapping and humane relocation or dispatch of the specific animal causing the problem — not free rein to kill at will, and not poison.
2. Game / furbearer / protected species — white-tailed deer, turkeys, black bears, most birds, and species like bobcats and fishers. These require a hunting/trapping license, a season, or a special damage-control permit, and some (bats, birds, endangered species) may not be touched at all without professional help.

For a concrete example of how this plays out with a real animal, see our Squirrel vs Rat in Attic guide — squirrels are protected in most states (no poison, use exclusion), while rats are unprotected pests.

How to Look Up Your State’s Rules (3 Steps)

1. Find your state wildlife agency in the table below.
2. Search its site for “nuisance wildlife” or “damage control.” Most agencies publish a page explaining what you can do without a permit, what needs a permit, and what requires a licensed professional.
3. Check the specific species. Rules for raccoons, squirrels, snakes, bats, and birds each differ — and some species (especially bats and migratory birds) have extra protections.

Wildlife Agencies by State (2026)

The table below lists the primary wildlife agency for each state — your first stop for nuisance wildlife and damage-control rules. Specific permit and relocation details change, so verify with the agency before trapping or removing any animal.

State	Primary Wildlife Agency	Quick Note
Alabama	Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources	Nongame nuisance may be taken when causing damage; check permit for relocation.
Alaska	Dept. of Fish and Game	Many species are game/furbearer; permits vary widely by species.
Arizona	Game and Fish Dept.	Most wildlife protected; damage-control permits available for problem animals.
Arkansas	Game and Fish Commission	Nongame species may be removed when damaging property; relocation rules apply.
California	Dept. of Fish and Wildlife	Most species protected; nongame can be taken when damaging property; relocation restricted.
Colorado	Parks and Wildlife	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled by the landowner under damage-control rules.
Connecticut	Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection	Raccoons/skunks/opossums nongame; live trap and relocation rules vary.
Delaware	Division of Fish and Wildlife	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; nuisance wildlife guidance published.
Florida	Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; relocation permit rules vary by species.
Georgia	DNR — Wildlife Resources Division	Nongame species may be removed when damaging property; permit for some methods.
Hawaii	Dept. of Land and Natural Resources	No native land mammals; rules focus on introduced species and protected birds.
Idaho	Dept. of Fish and Game	Nuisance wildlife damage control allowed; game species need license.
Illinois	Dept. of Natural Resources	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; permits for relocation.
Indiana	Dept. of Natural Resources	Nuisance wildlife may be live-trapped; relocation rules vary.
Iowa	Dept. of Natural Resources	Nongame species may be taken when damaging property; check trapping rules.
Kansas	Dept. of Wildlife and Parks	Nuisance wildlife may be removed; permits for some species and methods.
Kentucky	Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; relocation rules apply.
Louisiana	Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled; many species are furbearer with seasons.
Maine	Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; furbearer license rules and relocation limits apply.
Maryland	Dept. of Natural Resources	Nongame may be taken when damaging property; permits for relocation.
Massachusetts	Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)	Nuisance wildlife may be live-trapped; relocation requires permit.
Michigan	Dept. of Natural Resources	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; furbearer rules for many species.
Minnesota	Dept. of Natural Resources	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled; relocation restrictions apply.
Mississippi	Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks	Nongame may be taken when damaging property.
Missouri	Dept. of Conservation	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; relocation rules vary.
Montana	Fish, Wildlife and Parks	Damage-control rules for problem animals; game species need license.
Nebraska	Game and Parks Commission	Nongame may be taken when causing damage.
Nevada	Dept. of Wildlife	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled under damage-control rules.
New Hampshire	Fish and Game Dept.	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; furbearer and relocation rules apply.
New Jersey	Division of Fish and Wildlife	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; black bear rules are strict.
New Mexico	Dept. of Game and Fish	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled; many species protected.
New York	Dept. of Environmental Conservation	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; relocation rules vary.
North Carolina	Wildlife Resources Commission	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; permits for relocation.
North Dakota	Game and Fish Dept.	Nongame may be taken when causing damage.
Ohio	Dept. of Natural Resources — Division of Wildlife	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; furbearer license rules apply.
Oklahoma	Dept. of Wildlife Conservation	Nongame may be taken when causing damage.
Oregon	Dept. of Fish and Wildlife	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled; relocation restricted.
Pennsylvania	Game Commission	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; furbearer seasons for many species.
Rhode Island	Dept. of Environmental Management	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; relocation rules apply.
South Carolina	Dept. of Natural Resources	Nongame may be taken when damaging property.
South Dakota	Game, Fish and Parks	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled under damage-control rules.
Tennessee	Wildlife Resources Agency	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; check permit for relocation.
Texas	Parks and Wildlife Dept. (TPWD)	Nongame may be taken when damaging property; see our detailed Texas guide below.
Utah	Division of Wildlife Resources	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled; relocation restrictions apply.
Vermont	Fish and Wildlife Dept.	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; furbearer rules apply.
Virginia	Dept. of Wildlife Resources	Nongame may be taken when causing damage; relocation rules vary.
Washington	Dept. of Fish and Wildlife	Nuisance wildlife may be controlled; many species protected.
West Virginia	Division of Natural Resources	Nongame may be taken when causing damage.
Wisconsin	Dept. of Natural Resources	Nuisance wildlife may be trapped; furbearer rules apply.
Wyoming	Game and Fish Dept.	Damage-control rules for problem animals; game species need license.

Common Rules That Apply in Most States

While details differ, these principles hold in the large majority of states:

• You can usually protect your property. A nongame animal actually causing damage on your property can generally be removed without a license.
• Poisoning wildlife is illegal in most states — it is inhumane and risks secondary poisoning of pets, owls, and hawks. This is a common trap for homeowners dealing with squirrels.
• Relocation is often the restricted part. Many states require a permit to relocate wildlife, prohibit releasing it on someone else’s property, or restrict how far it can be moved. Releasing an animal where it cannot survive, or where it becomes someone else’s problem, is illegal in most states.
• Young animals change the rules. Many states restrict trapping during breeding seasons or when dependent young may be present (often spring and late summer for raccoons and squirrels), because removing a mother strands her young to starve.
• Bats and birds are special. Bats often have additional protections, and nearly all native birds are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Detailed Example: Texas Wildlife Removal Law

Texas is a useful model because it is explicit about the two categories. Under Texas Parks and Wildlife rules, nongame species — raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels, bobcats, rats, gophers, and armadillos — may be taken on your own property when they are causing damage, generally without a license. But “take” defaults to live trapping and relocation or humane dispatch of the specific animal, not killing at will. Game species like white-tailed deer and turkey, and most birds, require a license and in-season rules. Relocation across long distances is restricted, and a nuisance animal that is trapped often must be handled by permit or a licensed professional. For the full breakdown, see our Texas Wildlife Removal Laws: What Homeowners Can and Cannot Legally Do.

When to Call a Licensed Professional

Call a licensed wildlife removal professional when: the animal is a protected species (bats, birds, bears); young may be present; the animal is inside the living space rather than the attic or yard; there is a large amount of droppings or contamination (a raccoon latrine is a serious health hazard); or you cannot find and seal the entry point yourself. Professionals hold the permits and know the state rules, and their work is usually faster and legally safer than DIY. For help identifying what is in your attic before you decide, see our Raccoon vs Squirrel in Attic guide and our What Animal Is Digging Holes in My Yard guide.

FAQ: Wildlife Removal Laws by State

Can I kill a raccoon on my property?

In most states, you may remove a nongame raccoon that is causing damage on your property, but the expected method is live trapping and relocation or humane dispatch of that specific animal — not indiscriminate killing. Permit and relocation rules vary by state, so check your wildlife agency first.

Do I need a permit to trap and relocate a squirrel or skunk?

Often yes for relocation. Many states require a permit to relocate wildlife, restrict how far it can be moved, or prohibit releasing it on someone else’s property. Live-trapping on your own property is usually allowed without a permit when the animal is causing damage.

Is it legal to poison squirrels or raccoons?

Poisoning wildlife is illegal in most states, is inhumane, and risks secondary poisoning of pets and birds of prey. It is not a legal or recommended option for squirrels, raccoons, or most other wildlife.

Can I shoot a coyote or raccoon in my backyard?

This is heavily restricted. Firearm discharge is regulated by local ordinances (often banned in cities and suburbs), and some species are protected from indiscriminate killing. Check both your local firearms rules and your state wildlife agency before considering lethal means.

What is a “nuisance wildlife” permit?

Many states issue damage-control or nuisance wildlife permits that let a landowner (or a licensed professional acting for them) remove an animal that is causing damage, outside normal seasons. These are typically the legal route for problem bears, beavers, and other regulated species.

Why is relocating wildlife often illegal?

Relocation can spread disease (such as rabies and distemper), dump animals into another animal’s territory where they starve, and create new problems for other landowners. Most states restrict or permit relocation for these reasons.

Sources: State wildlife agencies (see table above), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Migratory Bird Treaty Act), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, USDA Wildlife Services. Laws change and differ by jurisdiction; this guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always verify current rules with your state wildlife agency or a licensed professional before trapping, relocating, or removing any animal.

Related Wildlife Guides

• Texas Wildlife Removal Laws: Permits & Homeowner Rights
• Raccoon vs Squirrel in the Attic: How to Tell
• Squirrel vs Rat in the Attic: How to Tell
• Wildlife Removal Cost Guide (2026)
• Wildlife Removal Services