Wildlife removal laws, state by state
What happens to a trapped animal, who may be paid to trap it, and when bats can be excluded are decided by state law. Here is a plain-language guide to the eight states represented in Tier 1 ZIP-code coverage, with links to each primary source.
Paraphrased from official agency sources; last reviewed 2026-07-16. Florida rules must be rechecked before amendments scheduled for December 31, 2026.
Florida
Regulator: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) · Credential: No state trapper license (voluntary FWC Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator list)
Florida wildlife handling is regulated by the FWC. Unusually, FWC does not license wildlife trappers - operators can voluntarily join a public list. Captured nuisance wildlife must be released or euthanized within 24 hours, and off-site release is only lawful within the same county on 40+ contiguous acres with written landowner permission. Note: FWC-approved rule amendments take effect December 31, 2026.
- • FWC does not license wildlife trappers. Ask what credentials a provider actually holds rather than assuming a state license exists.
- • Live-captured nuisance wildlife must be released or euthanized within 24 hours.
- • Off-site release is lawful only within the same county, on at least 40 contiguous acres, with written landowner permission, and only if no rabies alert is in effect.
- • Bats may never be killed, trapped, or disturbed, and exclusion is prohibited April 15 to August 15 (maternity season).
- • Amended FWC trapping rules take effect December 31, 2026 - rules described here apply before that date.
Georgia
Regulator: Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division · Credential: Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) permit
Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division regulates commercial nuisance animal control. Paid operators need an NWCO permit (written exam required). Georgia is relatively permissive for relocation compared to other states, allowing transport and release within 72 hours with landowner permission, but rabies-vector species have strict limitations.
- • Paid wildlife work requires an NWCO permit from the DNR Special Permit Unit. A structural pest control license alone does not cover it.
- • Permit holders may possess nuisance wildlife for under 72 hours for transport and release into suitable habitat with landowner permission.
- • Rabies-vector species (such as raccoons and skunks) that scratched or bit a person or pet require health-department protocols before any release decision.
- • Bats: exclusion only, never lethal removal. Avoid exclusion April 1 to July 31 unless it is confirmed no flightless young are present.
Alabama
Regulator: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) · Credential: Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) permit
Nuisance wildlife removal in Alabama is overseen by the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. Commercial operators must hold an NWCO permit. Property owners are allowed to capture one nuisance furbearer per incident without a permit, but professional control requires licensing.
- • Commercial wildlife control operators must obtain an annual NWCO permit from ADCNR.
- • Landowners can take one nuisance furbearer per damage incident without a permit.
- • Live-caught nuisance animals may not be relocated across a county line or a major river drainage.
- • Captured animals must be released within these geographical bounds or humanely dispatched.
South Carolina
Regulator: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) · Credential: Depredation Permit
In South Carolina, nuisance wildlife control is regulated by the SCDNR. Depredation permits are required for trapping outside open seasons, though exceptions exist for property owners trapping within 100 yards of their residence. Off-site relocation of furbearing species is generally illegal.
- • A Depredation Permit is required from SCDNR to trap or take wildlife out of season.
- • Property owners do not need a permit if trapping furbearers or squirrels within 100 yards of their residence.
- • It is generally illegal to relocate trapped furbearing nuisance wildlife off-property in South Carolina.
- • Trapped animals must either be released on-site (on the same property) or humanely euthanized.
North Carolina
Regulator: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) · Credential: Wildlife Control Agent (WCA) license
North Carolina has strict laws managed by the NCWRC. Commercial operators must hold a Wildlife Control Agent license. Under state law, it is illegal to relocate trapped furbearers or rabies-vector species off-property. They must be released on-site or euthanized.
- • Commercial operators must hold a Wildlife Control Agent (WCA) license from the NCWRC.
- • A depredation permit is required to trap out of season, which can be issued by a WCA or Wildlife Officer.
- • It is illegal to relocate trapped furbearers or rabies-vector species off-property.
- • Trapped animals must be released on the property where captured or humanely euthanized.
Tennessee
Regulator: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) · Credential: Animal Damage Control (ADC) permit
Nuisance wildlife in Tennessee is regulated by the TWRA. Paid operators must hold an ADC permit. Relocation of native wildlife is illegal without a specific transport permit. Captured furbearers must be released on-site or euthanized, and skunks must be euthanized.
- • Paid operators must hold an Animal Damage Control (ADC) permit from the TWRA.
- • Property owners can capture nuisance animals causing damage but must release them on-site or euthanize them.
- • It is illegal to transport and relocate wildlife to other properties without a permit.
- • Skunks can never be relocated and must be humanely euthanized on-site.
Missouri
Regulator: Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) · Credential: Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) agreement
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) regulates nuisance wildlife under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners can trap damage-causing wildlife without a permit, but commercial operators must have an active NWCO agreement. Relocation is discouraged due to disease risks.
- • Landowners do not need a permit to trap most nuisance wildlife causing damage on their property.
- • Commercial operators must sign an active NWCO agreement with the MDC.
- • MDC strongly discourages the relocation of trapped wildlife due to low survival rates and disease spread.
- • Local municipal ordinances often restrict trapping methods and must be verified.
Kansas
Regulator: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) · Credential: Nuisance Wildlife Damage Control (NWDC) permit
Nuisance wildlife control in Kansas is regulated by the KDWP. Operators must hold an NWDC permit to trap and control wildlife out of season. Relocation is discouraged due to biological and disease transmission risks.
- • Paid operators must hold a Nuisance Wildlife Damage Control (NWDC) permit from KDWP.
- • Traps must be checked at least once every calendar day and labeled with the permittee's ID.
- • Relocation is permitted under the NWDC permit but is discouraged due to low survival and disease risks.
- • Federal and state laws protect specific migratory birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
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