Is It Legal to Trap and Kill Raccoons in Oklahoma [Yes]

Raccoons are most common in the cross-timbers region of Oklahoma, but you can also find them in agriculture fields and your backyard. Raccoons are more likely to damage your crops because of their annoyance. You may often wonder, Is it legal to trap and kill raccoons in Oklahoma?

Do you want to keep your property away from raccoons? If yes, this article will give you all the legal methods of trapping and hunting raccoons in Oklahoma.

Is It Legal to Trap and Relocate Raccoons in Oklahoma?

Yes, you can trap and relocate raccoons, but you must adhere to ODWC and NWCO regulations. You can trap raccoons without any limit in the trapping season if you have a trapping license issued by ODWC. After trapping the raccoon, you may relocate it legally.

Here are the rules that you should follow to trap and relocate raccoons:

• If you are a resident of Oklahoma, you must have a resident trapping license.
• If you are a land owner, you need a Wildlife depredation permit from ODWC to trap raccoons.
• According to ODWC, you can relocate raccoons within the state of Oklahoma.
• If you want to relocate a raccoon on private land, you need the written permission of the landowner to release the raccoon.
• If you want to release or relocate a raccoon in any public place, you must have a written permit from the government administration.

Is It Legal to Hunt Raccoons in Oklahoma?

Yes, it is legal to hunt raccoons in Oklahoma. If you have a hunting license, you are allowed to hunt raccoons both during the day and at night. Hunting restrictions apply to all forms of hunting in the state of Oklahoma. You can hunt raccoons by below guidelines:

• You must have a resident and non-resident hunting license to hunt raccoons.
• If you are under 16 years of age, you do not need a hunting license to hunt raccoons.
• If you are not a local of Oklahoma, you must have a non-resident annual hunting license.
• You can not use any remote control firearm to track raccoons.
• A legal rifle or shotgun can be used to hunt raccoons during the day. 
• Raccoons can only be hunted at night with dogs or hounds during the hunting season.

Laws Governing About Raccoon Trapping in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, raccoons are furbearer animals. People usually trap them for their waterproof furs. However, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s standards and regulations must be followed to trap raccoons. Here are the legal means of trapping raccoons in Oklahoma:

• First, a resident or non-resident trapping license is required to capture a raccoon.
• You may trap raccoons with the help of a box trap having a single or double spring with a smooth jaw.
• Setting a trap on roads or public pathways to trap raccoons is prohibited.
• You must check a trap after every 24 hours of setting.
• If you want to hunt raccoons on others’ land, you must take their permission.
• If you trap raccoons under a general annual resident trapping license, you can use only 20 traps.

Laws Governing About Raccoon Shootings in Oklahoma

Raccoons can cause significant damage to your home and property in Oklahoma State, and they can be dangerous to approach up close. By the following laws, you are permitted to hunt or shoot raccoons if you possess a hunting or shooting license:

• According to the Oklahoma hunt club, you can shoot raccoons from December 1 to February 28 if you have a fur license.
• You can shoot raccoons on your land without any license.
• You can not use any headlight to kill raccoons.
• If you want to shoot raccoons with the help of dogs, you can use a rimfire or shotgun having 0.22 caliber.
• To hold a firearm, you must be 30 years old and have a certificate of competency from the wildlife department.
• If you are ten years of age, you should complete a hunter education course to hunt or shoot raccoons.

How Can You Trap Raccoons in Oklahoma?

Raccoons are notorious for wreaking havoc in backyards and fields. They damage your backyards and spread dangerous infections. To keep them out of your property, you must trap them legally.

Here are the guidelines by which you can easily trap raccoons legally:

• First of all, you should have a resident or non-resident trapping license.
• Raccoon’s trap must have your name and the number issued by NWCO.
• You can set a live trap or leghold trap with a jaw spread of no more than eight and a half inches to trap raccoons.
• During trapping, you should place a trapping device that will trap only the target animal.
• To let others know about traps, you should put signboards around them.
• Moreover, you tagged a signboard with the word “TRAP.”

How Can You Shoot and Hunt Raccoons in Oklahoma?

Raccoons can be shot and hunted by different methods, but in Oklahoma, there are regulations and laws that you must adhere to hunt or shoot them. According to the Oklahoma Department of wildlife conservation, you can shoot raccoons under the following conditions:

• After getting a resident or non-resident hunting license, you can hunt or shoot raccoons during the day and night time.
• You can shoot raccoons only with a rifle that has a 0.22 caliber.
• You can not shoot raccoons while sitting in any motor vehicle.
• If you want to hunt raccoons on other lands, you must take permission from the landowner.
• Except for landowners, it is against the law to hunt raccoons with a headlight or other nighttime equipment.
• If you have a valid hunting license, you can you a laser sighting device while hunting or shooting raccoons.

Conclusion

Raccoons are common in rural, suburban, and urban areas across Oklahoma. Due to their capacity to adapt to various environments, they become a nuisance. Their annoying nature can either harm you or your property.

Hopefully, the above guidelines will facilitate you in hunting or trapping raccoons in Oklahoma. Although there are uncomplicated ways to get rid of raccoons, you must stick to the State laws for your safety.

If you have a raccoon issue on your property in Oklahoma, do not panic, stay calm and call a professional raccoon removal expert to trap the raccoon. It will protect you from any danger.

References

• Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
• Oklahoma Hunt Club