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We are Joliet Wildlife, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to Illinois critter problems. We service the greater Joliet region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at 815-322-7396 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service DuPage County, Cook County, Grundy County, Jasper County, Kane County, Kendall County, Kenosha County, Lake County, McHenry County, Newton County, Porter County, Will County, and more. We also service Chicago, Berwyn, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Crystal Lake, DeKalb, Des Plaines, Aurora, Elmhurst, Gary, Hammond, Elgin, Kenosha, Naperville, North Chicago, Park Ridge, Portage, St. Charles, Valparaiso, Waukegan, Wheaton, Addison, Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, Cicero, Downers Grove, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Glenview, Gurnee, Hanover Park, Oswego, Palatine, Plainfield, Romeoville, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood, Tinley Park, Wheeling, Woodridge, and more.

Joliet Wildlife Education: Is it against the law to kill a raccoon?

Raccoons are incredibly annoying critters that can make life miserable for homeowners. As their natural habitat is slowly replaced by cities and residential areas, they are forced to find shelter elsewhere. This often means that they find themselves looking for food in your garden. As if this isn’t enough, once they have found a food supply they will build their den nearby. It is virtually impossible to relocate a raccoon as you are not allowed to release them onto the property of someone else.



Killing raccoons
Depending on where you reside, the laws differ greatly. In some parts of The United States, it is perfectly legal to kill a raccoon. In Canada, you will be arrested for animal cruelty. It is also illegal to trap raccoons in some states. Before you decide what your next course of action will be, it is advisable to contact your wildlife or animal control offices. They will be able to shed some light on the laws in your state.

Places where it is legal to kill raccoons
In some states, it is legal to kill a raccoon if it enters your home. You will need a trap that instantly kills the animal to prevent it from suffering. Regrettably, these traps are rarely foolproof and frequently lead to an animal in distress. Before killing the raccoon, you will need to obtain a legal hunting license. In some rural areas, it is permissible to shoot a raccoon on your property. You cannot, however, discharge a firearm within city limits.

Occasional allowance
Most States and most Canadian provinces allow you to hunt raccoons for their fur. You will need to obtain a license before setting traps or killing them, though. It is also imperative that you adhere to the rules of your state regarding hunting. There are regulations as to the days and times that you are allowed to hunt. You are also not permitted to hunt on state property.

Illegal
In some states, like Washington, DC, it is illegal to kill any animal that is dependent on humans for survival. This extends to raccoons as they are not able to survive on their own. You are allowed to trap them but only in traps that cause them no harm. You will need to release them onto government land and cannot relocate your burden to someone else’s land. In some provinces in Canada, you are permitted to catch raccoons but you cannot release them. Even onto government land. You will need to take them to a vet to be euthanized. The problem is that most vets will not allow you to bring wild animals into their offices. They carry harmful diseases that can spread to other patients.

Your options
It would be advisable to research the laws in your state in order to make an informed decision. You can also contact a wildlife relocation expert. They will be informed about the laws and will be able to remove the raccoon in a way that adheres to them.

Previous Education Articles
How to keep Joliet snakes out of your basement
What can Joliet mice climb?
Everything You Need to Know About Joliet Deer
Methods to Keep Joliet Foxes Away From Property