Is It Legal To Trap And Kill Raccoons In Michigan[Read Here]

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In Michigan, that is more than seventeen species of furbearers are harvested. People like to hunt them for their fur. This happens in all of America, but is it legal to trap and kill Raccoons in Michigan?

Yes, it is legal to trap and kill Raccoons in Michigan as long as the terms and conditions are obeyed. The fur-bearers found in Michigan are Raccoons, most of whom are carnivores and likely to be hunted by humans in seasons where hunting is permissible. 

In this article, we will read through the laws and specifications of trapping, relocating, and hunting Raccoons in Michigan and how they differ from other states of America. 

Yes, it is legal to relocate and trap Raccoons in Michigan. However, the territory of Michigan has been divided into areas where trapping of coons is permissible. In Michigan, Raccoons can be trapped without a hunting license. 

This is only allowed when the Raccoons are near damaging your possessions like property. However, many other areas have not been cleared for hunting and trapping of Raccoons. In such sites, you cannot act out of your own accord. 

You will have to contact the nuisance animal control company and report your findings. The authorities will send someone to take a look and hunt down Raccoons. When it comes to relocating, the laws are not strict. However, it is advised that you relocate the Raccoons at least two miles away from the area where the Raccoons are found. 

Yes, it is legal to hunt Raccoons in Michigan, but there are a few laws one needs to abide by. The entire territory of Michigan has been divided into hunting and trapping zones. Maps are available online for viewing. They are also available in the market, and one can buy them before setting out for hunting.

Zone 1 includes the entire Upper Peninsula. Zone 2 and 3 are divided through a dividing line from Michigan Lake to Muskegon Lake. These also include the area from Ruddiman Drive to Avenue Lake and north Muskegon.

The areas involving Garfield road to Pinconning Road are also open for hunting and extend up to the Lincoln School, Country Road. Since hunting has been considered legal in Michigan, the state has provided territorial guidelines to hunt in specific areas.

Laws Governing About Raccoon Trapping In Michigan 

The laws prevailing in Michigan regarding Raccoon hunting are quite flexible, and one has a lot of space to carry out his actions. The Raccoons can be trapped all year round. You can use all the lawful trapping methods, including using bait and cages to lure the Raccoons in. 

Furthermore, the private property owners have permission to do as they like with the Raccoons. Neither do they need the license nor do they need any other permission from the authorities. They can do as they please to take care of their property and make it Raccoon-free.

No written permission is needed in Michigan. Another unique law in Michigan is that you can hunt private property if you seek the owner’s approval. If the property owner allows you to track, you can take your firearm and do it. In this particular scenario, the authorities are not involved.

Laws Governing About Raccoons Shooting In Michigan

In the State of Michigan, a 269 caliber gun or a smaller version of it is needed to shoot Raccoons. Generally, hunting is permitted during the night so that human beings stay out of harm’s way. 

However, care must be taken that you do not take your arms to any prohibited sites like the parks or any other recreation areas. This will put human life in danger, and you will be placed in jail for committing a crime you did not intend to. 

Laws of the state define safety zones in the areas within 150 yards of any building, cabin, or house. Inside these perimeters, no firearm is allowed to be used. You cannot even shoot a bird or a coon inside this perimeter. The safety zones are the minimum distance you need to start hunting. 

How Can You Trap Raccoons At Michigan State?

There are ways by which you can trap Raccoons in Michigan State. The authorities have approved the ways enlisted below. These include:

1) Raccoons are allowed to be trapped without a hunting license only if they are wild and causing you damage. 

2) Raccoons should not be harmed and then trapped. Harming is unethical and strongly discouraged

3) One should lure the Raccoons into live cages by using bait like fruits and seeds. 

4) The private property owners can trap in however way they like 

5) Snares can also be used for trapping Raccoons in the state of Michigan 

6) After trapping, it is better if you do not kill them but rather hand them over to the authorities so that they take care of them in their own way. 

7) The private land owners can use the trapped Raccoons for selling them and other business purposes

How Can You Shoot And Hunt Raccoons In Illinois?

Shooting and hunting of Raccoons are not to be done in the safety zones. The firearms should be taken to the hunting zones by following the maps and only then should hunting be started. There are various kinds of licenses and each one costs a little differently from the other. The details are as follows:

1) The junior license for ages 10 to 16 costs about $15. It is only valid for a year. 

2) For those people who are residents and above the age of 17, their license if of $15, and the validity for it is also one year. 

3) The non-residents are also required to get a license before setting out to hunt. The cost for this license is the same- $15

4)     For people who are above the age of 65, their license cost is $6 and it is reviewed every year before renewal. 

Wrapping It Up

The laws of Michigan are less stringent when it comes to other states which is why the people go out hunting a lot. The non-residents also come to Michigan for Raccoon trapping and hunting purposes. However, they need to apply for the license first and then hold up their firearms.

For private land property owners, the laws are much fewer. They do not need to have a license and can do as they please when it comes to the trapping and relocation of Raccoons inside their own territory.

References

American Legal Publishing- Michigan

Department of Natural Resources- Michigan