Killing raccoons is lawful under limited circumstances. Some jurisdictions in the United States and Canada do not allow killing raccoons under any circumstances, while some jurisdictions in the United States allow killing raccoons with almost no restrictions at all. In some states of the South in the United States, raccoon hunts are a state-sanctioned religious activity, and in some cities in Canada killing raccoons may result in charges of cruelty to animals and possession of a deadly weapon.
Places Where It Is Never Legal to Kill Raccoons
The capital city of the United States, Washington, D.C., forbids the killing of all non-commensal animals, that this, all animals that do not depend on humans to survive. Raccoons may be trapped by methods that do not result in injury. They could be captured in a Havahart trap but not in a “coon cuff” or dog-proof trap. District of Columbia law requires that captured raccoons must be released on public lands suitable for their survival at least 25 miles (40 km) outside the capital, in Virginia or Maryland.
The most populous city in Canada, Toronto, also permits the capture of raccoons, but HealthCanada regulations discourage releasing pest animals in other locations. In Toronto you would be expected to take the trapped raccoon to a veterinarian for euthanasia, but because most veterinarians will not allow wild animals into their offices because of the diseases they carry, there are very limited options for killing the animal lawfully. Killing the animal with gunshot or with a blunt object could result in criminal charges of cruelty to animals.
It is a good idea to check with wildlife or animal control officials in any large urban area before killing raccoons. Even smaller cities that are designated as wildlife sanctuaries may prohibit killing raccoons. Smaller cities that are wildlife sanctuaries, however, often have very helpful animal control departments. In some larger cities, animal control will only concern itself with a dead or sickened animal.
Places Where It Is Sometimes Legal to Kill Raccoons
Most US states and most Canadian provinces regulate raccoons as fur-bearing animals and permit hunting, trapping, and killing raccoons with a license. The licenses were originally intended to allow killing raccoons for their fur, although skinning the raccoon is not necessary to use the license. A license must be obtained before setting out traps or going hunting, and there may be limits to the number of raccoons that can be killed, usually five per day. Most states also have limited hunting seasons, typically during the winter months. When raccoons are not in season, they may not be lawfully killed.
It is important to read hunting regulations carefully. Some of the hunting violations that can result in major fines include:
- Hunting on Sunday. Some states allow hunting of raccoons but not other game until 2:00 A.M. Sunday morning.
- Hunting with vehicle headlights or with lights attached to a vehicle. Other forms of lighting are likely to be legal.
- Having a firearm in possession during crossbow season. Simply having a firearm with you is sometimes illegal.
- Failing to make a distinction between calendar days and midnight to midnight days. There is usually a limit to the number of raccoons that can be caught in a 24-hour period, but the period may run from midnight to midnight or from noon to noon the following day. And of course,
- Forgetting to carry your hunting permits for public lands. You will typically not be hunting on government property for raccoon control unless it adjoins your own.
Places Where It Is Always Legal to Kill Raccoons
Some states have “continuous seasons” for hunting raccoons. It is still necessary to obtain a hunting license or permit. It is still necessary to avoid discharging a firearm within city limits or where otherwise prohibited. It is necessary to avoid hunting on private property that does not belong to you without explicit permission. However, in some rural locations it is always permissible to kill raccoons if basic rules are met.
It is also usually (but not always) legal to kill a raccoon that is living inside your house. A snap trap that kills raccoons instantly may be the fastest way to get rid of raccoons in the attic, but it is necessary to make sure that pets and children do not have access to the space where you have set the traps and it is necessary to check traps daily to avoid having a carcass rot under your roof. Always handle live or dead raccoons with gloves to avoid catching or spreading disease, and always disinfect traps before they are reused or stored. You can read more about non-lethal methods for fending off raccoons <—by clicking this link.
Hello,
I am trying to determine for sure
If I can use poison to kill raccoons in my property. I am living in Montgomery County, MD.
I cannot find anything online that makes
It illegal but I am not sure.
I’m not sure, why don’t you contact the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and ask them. You can dos so here https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dep/contact.html
I have a friend that just informed me that he killed a albino raccoon.. I’m upset because they are rare. In Ohio is where he lives. He says he wants to get it mounted!!! Is that legal? Can he get in trouble. Thanks
This website provides information about dealing with raccoons in Ohio. The answer to your question depends on how the raccoon was killed:
https://www.ohiowildlifecenter.org/help-wildlife/found-an-animal/helping-wildlife-raccoons/
Can I kill a raccoon in my backyard in Arkansasss?
Hi Daniel,
I’m not a legal expert. However, I found this on the web which will hopefully answer your question: https://www.agfc.com/en/resources/wildlife-conservation/nuisance-wildlife/
Simon
I am currently a houseless individual. I am in a tent in Anderson Indiana and I have a large raccoon I’m not exaggerating when I say he is almost 1ft 6in tall, 3ft long before tail, and about 1ft wide. He comes into my campsite growling and attacks whoever is in the way if you are close to the food storage. I’ve tried hanging my food in a bear bag, tying up plastic totes and hanging them up in a tree, as well as a few less intelligent ideas. I need to know if it’s illegal to kill this critter because on top of us both encroaching on each other’s territory he has consistently attacked humans as well. The police and animal control don’t look kindly on “Houseless” individuals such as myself. What can I do. This is the only place left in this town and I can’t leave it. Is it illegal to kill him, and what would be the easiest most painless way do you think. I can’t use a gun cause I’m in city limits so I’m limited to my 3ft blade and your advice. Please give me some information to help me either kill him or change his mind about attacking people and my food. Thank you.
Hi David,
Have a read of this https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2362.htm it will provide you with some answers and it may be worth contacting Indiana Department of Natural Resources directly to get a yes or no answer.
Best
Simon
I live in Port St. Lucie , FL. I have a 1/4 acre lot with dense foliage behind. There are 2 raccoons & “Possom” that are always trying to eat the cat food I leave in my screened in patio for my cat. Can I shoot & kill them?
Hi Michael,
Have a read of this http://www.myfwc.com/media/3689075/LivingWithRaccoons.pdf it is produced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission office and tells you what you can and can’t do with regards to shooting raccoons.
Best
Simon
How about killing one or four with bow and arrow or spear in toronto?
Hi John,
No I don’t think it’s legal in Toronto.
Regards,
Simon
Is it illegeL to kill a racoon in ur back yard in Texas??
I believe it is illegal to trap a raccoon in Texas without a licence.
Nuisance trapping / killing of raccoons in Texas is permitted without a license as long as it is on land you own or have written permission to trap nuisance animals from the land owner. Possession of their pelts however is illegal outside of trapping season/without a license.
Hi Curt,
Thanks for the info.
Simon
Raccoon and large family live in my attic and come in my house and raid my kitchen. I’m in TN…can I kill them? This is MY house!
Hi Brandi – I recommend you contact your local authority and ask them that question. Once you find out, please let us know their answer.
Simon
I have never been the type that will kill any creature Spiders, flies,fish any thing, but the raccoons are a problem in my neighborhood, and my turtle of 18 years was abducted off my porch from his tank and I want justice.
I understand how you feel Kathi.
we have used the trap for several days now . coon gets inside eats all the marshmellos then leave with trap sprung. it killed our mama bird and her 3 chicks. just bit their heads off. i even put out rat sticky cardboard hoping to deter it. not working.
Here are some suggestions for you:
You could try putting the trap on a slope with the door at the top. You could try a smaller cage so the raccoon can’t turn around and open the door. You try a trap that has a stronger spring door.