Many landowners promote wildlife on their land and invest a lot of time and money into improving their habitat. Raccoons are hard to get rid of, but is it legal to trap and kill Raccoons in Kentucky?
Yes, it is legal to trap and kill raccoons in Kentucky with a license. Because raccoons are considered furbearers, a trapping license or depredation permit may be required before taking any animals.
In this article, we will read about a few laws in Kentucky regarding the trapping of raccoons. Moreover, we will also look at all the rules that allow one to kill a raccoon in Kentucky.
Is It Legal to Trap and Relocate Raccoons in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, trapping nuisance raccoons is legalized. But before taking any animals, you or your wildlife control technician may need to get a trapping license or a depredation permit from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.
You can trap them properly and then release them if it is done in a protected manner. However, if you resort to illegal trapping, fines can be imposed on you for doing so. The transport of raccoons in Kentucky is not permitted.
According to Kentucky law, moving raccoons and releasing them on private land is illegal. You can only carry it out if the land’s owner permits you.
Is It Legal to Hunt Raccoons in Kentucky?
Raccoon hunting is only permitted at night time. You can only hunt on specific public lands. You are not permitted to kill or hunt on private property without express written or verbal permission.
Raccoon hunting is permitted during hunting season or when raccoons are causing harm to humans or the locality. An NWCO may use deadly or nonlethal capture techniques year-round to remove other noxious wildlife, providing the NWCO has received written or verbal consent from the party requesting control.
Raccoon trapping and wild animal removal should never be attempted without the appropriate training and authorization.
Laws Governing About Raccoon Trapping in Kentucky
On private property, traps used as dry ground sets may not be put any nearer than ten (10) feet apart without the express consent of the owner or the landowner’s designee. However, no more than three (3) traps may be set within ten (10) foot spacing.
It is forbidden to set a trap along a path or route that people or domestic animals frequently use. When capturing furbearers, a trapper may utilize lights from a car or boat.
There is no furbearer bag restriction. Each trap must be equipped with a metal tag that displays the identity and address of the individual who set, used, or maintained the trap.
Laws Governing About Raccoon Shootings in Kentucky
Raccoon hunting is prohibited during the modern firearms deer season during the day. Using a light while hunting from a boat and taking a raccoon is prohibited. From noon on March 1 to September 30, no one may use a slingshot, or firearm while hunting a raccoon.
No weapon other than a crossbow, bow, or shotgun may be used on public land, and single-projectile shotgun shells are prohibited.
On private property, a person may only use a bow, crossbow, shotgun, or shotgun shell with a single projectile; however, from December 1 through March 31, a person may also use a rifle with a bullet diameter of 6.5mm (.264 caliber) or less.
How Can You Trap Raccoons in Kentucky?
The most effective approach to getting rid of raccoons in cities is to use baited cage traps. The federal government has registered no substances to control raccoons.
- A box trap or cage should be used.
- It should be 10-12 inches in length.
- It should be 32 inches wide.
- The cage should be placed on a leveled area with some bait, like sweet fruits, for luring the raccoons into them.
- Humane traps must be used, such as one-way or two-way trap doors.
- One-way traps are adequate, but using a two-way door is much more effective (since you double your odds of a catch). You ought to use enticing lures as your trap bait. Pet food is effective.
How Can You Shoot and Hunt Raccoons in Kentucky?
The following points must be kept in mind while hunting raccoons in Kentucky:
- Hunting is usually done at night.
- .22 caliber gun is used.
- Crossbows or bows may also be used.
- Hunter must have a license for the gun.
- Shotgun, rimfire gun, muzzleloader, bow, and arrow; or .22 caliber air gun may be used for hunting and shooting raccoons in Kentucky.
- Hunting is only allowed on certain premises.
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
Raccoons are not timid and cuddly, even though they are sometimes represented as cute animals with ringed tails, white whiskers, a bandit mask, and hands-like paws. They are unwanted annoyances.
To tackle the nuisance of raccoons, Kentucky has legalized hunting and trapping. However, a license is required to trap and kill raccoons. In addition to being accused of animal cruelty, shooting a raccoon will also result in charges of having a lethal weapon in your possession.
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