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

Numerous species of fur-bearing animals reside in South Dakota. Raccoons are present throughout the State in almost every domain. As raccoons are furbearer animals, they are beneficial and viable natural resources of furs. To use them effectively, it is crucial to know, it is legal to trap and kill raccoons in South Dakota.

For whatever purpose you are trapping raccoons, this article will give you all the essential information about trapping or hunting a raccoon in South Dakota.

Is It Legal to Trap and Relocate Raccoons in South Dakota?

Yes, you can tarp a raccoon in South Dakota without a trapping license only if you are a citizen of this State. According to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, you must need a legal entry permit and certificate of veterinary inspection to relocate a raccoon. To trap or relocate raccoons in South Dakota State, you must keep in mind the following rules:

• If you are a land owner and want to trap a raccoon on your land, you can catch it without a trapping license.
• You can trap raccoons only during the trapping season, which lasts from 1st April to 31st August.
• If you are less than 16 years old, you can trap raccoons without a license.
• If you are a non-citizen of South Dakota, you must have a non-resident furbearer trapping license to trap a raccoon.

Is It Legal to Hunt Raccoons in South Dakota?

Yes, you can hunt raccoons in South Dakota at night and day without a license. However, you can hunt raccoons only on your property. According to night hunting laws of the USA, you can hunt raccoons in South Dakota State by following these rules:

• You can hunt raccoons at night without the restriction of hunting hours.
• If you are a landowner, you may use artificial light for hunting raccoons on your land.
• You cannot use any night-vision tool such as a spotlight or artificial light to trap a raccoon if you have a gun or firearm.
• You cannot hunt raccoons at night using artificial light on land owned by the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks.
• You cannot hunt raccoons with the help of night-vision tools on public lands or property.

Laws Governing About Raccoon Trapping in South Dakota

Raccoons are furbearer animals. In South Dakota, furbearer trapping not only permits sportsmen and women to enjoy the outdoors but also serves as a fun hobby and effective tool for wildlife management. Apart from these benefits, South Dakota State has laws regarding the trapping of raccoons. Some of them are here:

• If you are a non-native person in South Dakota, you must need a trapping license before trapping a raccoon.
• A non-native can trap raccoons from 1st Dec to 31st March.
• You cannot use a dog to trap raccoons if you are a non-resident of South Dakota.
• If you are a resident of South Dakota, you can trap a raccoon without a trapping license on your land and the rented property.
• If you want to trap raccoons in the Walk-In area, you must grant permission from owners of public hunting areas.

Laws Governing About Raccoon Shootings in South Dakota

As a pest, raccoons are harmful to your buildings and other properties. According to South Dakota codified laws, if a raccoon or any wildlife animal causes harm to your yard and kills poultry or livestock, you can shoot it without a license.

Here are some other rules for shooting raccoons in South Dakota:

• According to South Dakota codified laws, you cannot hit a wild animal from a motor vehicle except raccoons and other animals.
• If you have a disabled hunter permit, you can shoot a raccoon in public places while sitting in a stationary motor vehicle.
• You can use a shotgun with a bullet of fewer than 0.225 inches caliber to shoot or kill a raccoon.
• If you are an employee of the Department of Game, Fish, and Park (GFP), you must take permission from the landowner before killing a raccoon.

How Can You Trap Raccoons in South Dakota?

Raccoons cause serious havoc to your property. The best way to get rid of these nuisance creatures is to trap them. If raccoons are attacking your property, you can trap them without having a license. But to trap them legally, you must follow the following ways:

• If you are a landowner, you can trap raccoons on your land only during the trapping season.
• If you find a raccoon in a trap after the trapping season, release it immediately.
• You cannot trap raccoons in government and privately-owned areas.
• You must have a legal permit for trapping from a park manager if you want to trap raccoons in recreational areas.
• If you want to catch a raccoon, you should take permission from the landowners before mounting a trap on a fence next to their property.

How Can You Shoot and Hunt Raccoons in South Dakota?

South Dakota is well-known for its hunting throughout the world. As raccoons become more active during warm winter nights, it is easy to hunt or shoot them at this time. To hunt or shoot a raccoon in South Dakota, you must obey the following rules:

• If a raccoon destroys your belongings, you can shoot it without a license.
• If you are a resident, you can hunt raccoons with the help of a dog and a handheld spotlight while walking.
• If you are a non-resident, you cannot take or shoot a raccoon with the assistance of a dog.
• If you are more than 18 years old and own a property, you can shoot a raccoon on your land with the help of a shotgun having a caliber of 0.225 inches.

Conclusion

You may tempt to trap or hunt a raccoon to end the irritation if it is causing damage to your buildings. There are various ways of trapping or hunting a raccoon, but South Dakota State has its own.

Although South Dakota has no strict laws regarding trapping or hunting raccoons, you must obey them for safe hunting. This article will surely assist you in removing raccoons from your buildings, attics, and other belongings.

Apart from obeying the above guidelines, you must hire a wildlife control agent to hunt or trap raccoons to protect yourself. Do you have something to add to this article? Tell us in the comment section.

References

• South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks
• Michigan State University