Raccoons are rodents that lurk in our vicinity. They do not cause us any harm directly, but their presence can be a nuisance for us in many little ways. There are laws regarding capturing raccoons in every state but is it legal to trap and kill raccoons in Indiana?
Yes, it is legal to trap and kill raccoons on private land in Indiana on private. But, a permit is required for trapping and killing raccoons on public grounds. Without a DNR permit, local landowners and renters can capture a raccoon that is causing harm to their property.
In this article, we will read about a few Indiana laws regarding the trapping of raccoons. Moreover, we will also look at all the rules that allow one to kill a raccoon in Indiana. It is only permissible under certain conditions.
Is It Legal to Trap and Relocate Raccoons in Indiana?
Yes, it is legal to trap and relocate Raccoons in Indiana. If an animal is doing or attempting to cause property damage, or if it poses a health or safety concern to people or domestic animals, the resident owner or tenant may legally capture the types mentioned above of wild animals on the property they own or rent without permission.
The person who captures the animal must either release it or put it down within 24 hours. Released animals must be placed on land within the county where they were taken. The release also needs approval from the owner or property management. These invasive species cannot be kept for more than a day and cannot be bought, sold, exchanged, bartered, or given as gifts.
Indiana rule proposal requires killing and forbids the live release of wildlife species. These animals cannot be relocated on public and private property without permission from concerned authorities.
Is It Legal to Hunt Raccoons in Indiana?
Yes, it is legal to hunt Raccoons in Indiana. On the property you do not own or rent, you need a hunting or trapping license or a permit for nuisance wild animal control to take wild animals. However, hunting is legal during open hunting season from November 8 to January 31 for 2023.
Licensed nuisance wild animal trappers or other people may kill raccoons that are causing damage but cannot be live trapped due to unavoidable circumstances only after such trappers or other people request for and get written authorization from the chief of the wildlife division.
Nuisance raccoons are to be put to death if causing harm to property, personnel, or area. During raccoon hunting season, there is no possession or bag limit.
Laws Governing About Raccoon Trapping in Indiana
Only raccoons are allowed to be captured alive during that species’ designated trapping season. When hunting fur-bearing animals between dusk and dawn, a continually burning light that can be seen for at least 500 feet is required.
It is forbidden to get wild animals out of any nook or cave. Shooting, excavating, cutting, or chipping with the use of fire, flame, fumes, chemicals, ferrets, or other small animals, or with any instrument placed into the hole where the mammal is sheltered are all prohibited methods of disturbing an animal’s den or nest.
Use or transport tree-climbing or cutting tools with the intent to free an animal from a tree is also forbidden. When raccoons, foxes, or coyotes are pulled from a trap and kept alive, they must be kept in a cage or other enclosed space that makes it unlikely for the mammal to escape.
Laws Governing About Raccoon Shootings in Indiana
Hunting, shooting, or killing any animal or shooting at any object from inside, into, across, or into any public road is prohibited. Shooting over a water body is prohibited except while legally pursuing wildlife.
Hunting on privately held land without the landowner’s permission is prohibited. While in possession of a weapon, bow, or crossbow, it is forbidden to highlight any wild creature from a moving vehicle.
Any wild animal that has been killed or injured must have a reasonable chance of being recovered to count against your daily bag limit. However, it is prohibited to enter private property without authorization to recover the downed game. Ensure you have the authorization to follow the game on land next to your hunting area before you go hunting.
How Can You Trap Raccoons in Indiana State?
You can trap raccoons in several proper ways per the laws and regulations of Indiana state. Here is the right way to go about it:
- Install a live trap in a location where raccoons are known to congregate.
- Dog food, cat food, fruit, or anything else that the raccoons had been consuming, such as waste, can be used as bait for the trap.
- Raccoons are active at dawn and nightfall, so place the trap before dusk.
- For a single-door type, the cage trap should ideally measure at least 10 x 12 x 32′′; double-door variants should be longer.
- Use sardines or marshmallows as bait
- The likelihood of capturing the incorrect species and the possibility of the captive raccoon harming itself are both decreased by new cylindrical footing trap designs made expressly for use with raccoons.
How Can You Shoot and Hunt Raccoons in Indiana?
The ways of shooting and hunting raccoons in Indiana are:
- Shooting with a shotgun loaded with #6 or larger shot or a.22 caliber rifle (aim for the head or heart/lungs)
- A 22-caliber rifle or handgun is typically appropriate for raccoon hunting with dogs considering this.
- Although every shooter may have their own choices, in general, you want to take the animal’s size and the potential harm of the bullet into account. If you intend to use flesh or fur, this is very important to note.
- Lights are required for coon hunting because it is dark when chasing coon at night.
- Another choice is LED headlights.
By following the above-stated methods, you can hunt and shoot raccoons on your own. However, it is always better to have official permission or involve them so that they can do their work on their own.
Wrapping it up
Hunting and shooting raccoons are permissible in Indiana on private land. However, there is a need for a permit and license for hunting and shooting raccoons on public property. Without them, you can be charged with illegal conduct. You need to have a registered gun for hunting down raccoons.
A licensed person is allowed to kill raccoons if they mean to cause you harm. You can always report the authorities and have them come over to look at your raccoon problem. It will be at your convenience and you will not have to do anything by yourself.
References
