For centuries people have been trying to get rid of animals that cause them harm, either in the form of physical attacks or property damage. Raccoons are liable to do the same to people in many states of America, but is it legal to trap and kill Raccoons in Illinois?
No, it is not legal to trap and kill Raccoons in Illinois without an official animal removal permit from authorities like the Department of Natural Resources District. The official licenses are only issued if there is valid reasoning behind this.
In this article, we will look at the laws in Illinois and how they fit the trapping and killing of Raccoons in Illinois. It is best if you know the regulations first and then act accordingly. This will save you from landing yourself in any illegal mess.
Is It Legal To Trap And Relocate Raccoons In Illinois?
No, it is not legal to trap and relocate Raccoons in Illinois, but each year, many activities are reported along the same lines. The relocating and trapping of Raccoons is banned for ordinary people. However, the property owners are allowed to do it.
The owner needs a permit that is free of cost from the Department of Natural Resources in Illinois for trapping Raccoons. If you trap one and get caught by the authorities, you should be able to show your permit and then carry on with your desired work.
However, the permits are only issued when there is an issue of damaged property, harm to public health, or other safety concerns involving the transmission of Rabies from one person to another or from one animal to another.
Having a permit allows people to live in a Raccoon-free environment and carry on with daily life routines.
Is It Legal To Hunt Raccoons In Illinois?
No, generally, hunting Raccoons is not allowed in the premises of Illinois. For this, a license is required. There is no particular limit to the number of Raccoons permitted to be captured and hunted. A person can hunt as many as he likes on his license.
There is a hunting season during which it is permissible to go on a search for the Raccoons. This period is from mid of November onwards to the middle of February. The Department of Natural Resources constantly monitors the number of Raccoons in Illinois.
This is done to ensure that the population numbers remain intact and do not fall below the threshold. No adverse impacts should come out of hunting Raccoons down. Otherwise, hunting is halted temporarily, and people holding a license cannot do so.
Laws Governing About Raccoons Trapping In Illinois
Many laws govern the trapping of Raccoons in Illinois. The trapping and hunting of coons is legal, but it is only permissible for certain animals in particular conditions. Out of the 61 mammals, only 14 have been sub-classified as furbearers. Out of these 14, only 12 can be hunted or trapped.
Some species can only be trapped, while others can be hunted and trapped. The trapping laws protect the Raccoons. Trapping and hunting can be done on your self-owned property. However, the hunting part is limited to seasons and needs a license.
The troublesome Raccoons can be targeted anywhere and retained. They can also be reported to the authorities so that they may come timely and take them away from the premises of the residential areas.
Laws Governing About Raccoons Shooting In Illinois
To learn shooting, you will have to clear a short course first. The first segment involves clearing classes where you must go through some course material. You can also opt to do it online and go through each section.
The second phase involves clearing the exams. After this, a certificate shows you are done with the coursework. The third phase involved shooting practice and fire-arm guidelines. In this, the use of Raccoon-approved firearms usage is taught to you.
You have to clear that, too, so the authorities issue you the license. If they feel like you do not know how to use a firearm properly, they will never give you the permit to go out hunting in the wild. The shooting training is tough, but you can do as you please once you are through.
How Can You Trap Raccoons In Illinois State?
Live animal trapping is permissible in the State of Illinois. This can be done as per the rules and regulations stated by the regulatory authorities:
- Identifying your pest animal
- Inspecting it so that you are aware of its behavior
- Using baits to lure the Raccoons like fruits, pet food or marshmallows
- Adult Raccoons are 12 inches tall and 24 to 38 inches wide. So the cages must have this size at least
- You should wear PPE (personal protective equipment) before going to the Raccoons once they have been trapped.
- The Raccoons traps should be placed away from the residency areas and near the fence areas.
- The traps can also be placed near the water sources as the animals visit them frequently
How Can You Shoot And Hunt Raccoons In Illinois?
You can hunt and shoot in Illinois in the ways suggested by the state of Illinois. If you wish to hunt, there is a procedure that you need to follow first. This involves:
1- Get a hunting license
2- People born after January 1st, 1980 need to complete the Hunter Safety Education Course
3- After this, they are given a license to use coon-hunting firearms
4- Proof of completion should be available at the time of hunting
5- Hunting is only permissible from November to February
6- Hunting can be done for business purposes by the license owners and they can kill as many as they want to. There is no particular limit to it.
However, the negation of any one of the above-mentioned points results in the taking away of a license from any person.
Wrapping It Up
Hunting and shooting of Raccoons are not permissible on the premises of the Raccoons but there are certain laws that you need to abide by. This includes holding a license to hunt coons down. Moreover, you can only trap them without being answerable to the authorities if you own private property.
This article was meant to keep you aware of the regulations so that you do not end up doing something illegal. If you do, the consequences are direful and you have to pay a fine for them separately.
References
