Is It Illegal to Relocate Raccoons? 2026 State Guide

Relocating raccoons is illegal in many U.S. states, and in states where it is technically permitted, doing it without the right permit or beyond approved distance limits can still get you in serious legal trouble. The answer depends heavily on where you live.

Most people assume trapping a raccoon and dropping it off in the woods is harmless and legal. It is not, at least not everywhere. Many states have explicit prohibitions on raccoon relocation because of disease transmission risks, particularly rabies.

This guide covers exactly what the law says in 2026: which states ban relocation outright, what permits and licenses apply, how far you legally have to move a raccoon, what happens if you cross state lines, and what the real penalties look like.

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Is It Illegal to Relocate Raccoons?

Relocating raccoons is illegal in a significant number of U.S. states, and even in states where relocation is permitted, it almost always requires a permit, a license, or compliance with specific distance and release site rules. There is no single national rule, but the legal trend is toward restriction, not permission.

The core reason most states restrict raccoon relocation is disease. Raccoons are classified as a primary rabies vector species in most of the eastern United States. Moving a raccoon from one location to another spreads the animal’s established disease exposure to a new area. State wildlife agencies treat this as a public health threat, not just an animal welfare issue.

Federal law does not directly ban raccoon relocation for private individuals within a single state. The restrictions you face are state-level, with one major federal exception: the Lacey Act, which applies when wildlife is moved across state lines in violation of state law.

Quick Facts:

• Federal ban on in-state raccoon relocation: No direct federal prohibition
• State-level restrictions: Vary widely; many states prohibit or heavily regulate relocation
• Rabies vector species designation: Triggers stricter rules in most eastern states
• Permit required: Yes, in most states that do permit relocation
• Cross-state transport: Subject to Lacey Act federal penalties

The bottom line is that “trap and release somewhere else” is not the simple, legal solution most people assume it is.

Is It Legal to Relocate Raccoons?

Raccoon relocation is legal in some U.S. states, but only under specific, regulated conditions. No state has a blanket, no-restrictions-at-all permission for anyone to trap and relocate raccoons wherever they choose.

States that permit relocation typically require a permit from the state fish and wildlife agency, restrict release to approved sites, impose minimum distance requirements from the capture location, and in many cases require that the trapper hold a wildlife control operator (WCO) license or nuisance wildlife permit. Meeting all of those conditions makes the relocation legal. Missing any of them can make it a violation.

States in the western United States generally have more permissive frameworks for raccoon relocation than eastern states. The reason comes back to rabies. The eastern raccoon rabies variant is a documented, active wildlife disease corridor. Western states have different disease profiles, which has influenced their regulatory approach to relocation.

States with relatively more permissive relocation frameworks (with conditions):

• Texas: Property owners can trap nuisance raccoons; relocation rules apply
• Oregon: Nuisance wildlife trapping permitted with conditions
• Washington: Limited relocation permitted under state rules
• Colorado: Relocation permitted with wildlife agency guidance

States with stricter or prohibition-level frameworks:

• New York: Relocation of raccoons is prohibited under state regulation
• Virginia: Raccoon relocation banned due to rabies vector species status
• Pennsylvania: Relocation generally prohibited; on-site euthanasia or licensed WCO required
• Maryland: Raccoon relocation is prohibited by state regulation

Can You Relocate Raccoons Yourself?

Most states do not allow private individuals to trap and relocate raccoons without a permit or license. Self-relocation by a homeowner, without professional assistance, is one of the most commonly illegal approaches to raccoon removal.

The typical legal framework requires that a person trapping raccoons either hold a nuisance wildlife control operator license or obtain a property-specific depredation or nuisance wildlife permit. Those permits specify what you can do with the trapped animal, which may or may not include relocation to an approved site. In states that prohibit relocation entirely, the permit authorizes euthanasia only.

There are narrow exceptions. Some states allow property owners to trap and remove raccoons on their own land without a permit, but those exceptions typically require that the animal be released on the same property or euthanized. Transporting the animal off your property and releasing it elsewhere is where most people cross from legal to illegal.

Think of it like driving. You can manage your own vehicle in your driveway without a license. The moment you take it on a public road, the legal rules kick in. Raccoon trapping on your own land has some flexibility; the moment that animal goes in a box in your trunk heading down the road, a different set of rules applies.

Who can legally relocate raccoons in most states:

• Licensed wildlife control operators (WCOs)
• State-permitted nuisance wildlife trappers
• Wildlife rehabilitators in specific circumstances
• Property owners with a valid depredation permit (in select states)

Who typically cannot legally relocate raccoons:

• Private homeowners without any permit or license
• Neighbors helping neighbors trap animals without authorization
• Anyone transporting raccoons across county or state lines without permits

Key Takeaway: In most U.S. states, a private homeowner cannot legally trap a raccoon and release it somewhere else without a permit, a license, or both. The self-relocation approach is one of the most common raccoon-related legal violations wildlife agencies encounter.

Raccoon Relocation Laws by State

Raccoon relocation laws by state vary from outright prohibition to permit-based permission, with significant differences in what permits are required, what release sites are approved, and what distance rules apply. No two state frameworks are identical.

The broadest pattern is geographic. Eastern states, particularly those in the raccoon rabies corridor running from the mid-Atlantic through New England and into the Midwest, tend to have the strictest relocation rules. Western and southern states tend to be more permissive, though conditions always apply.

State wildlife agencies, not federal agencies, are the primary source of raccoon-specific rules. Each state’s fish and wildlife code, along with administrative regulations published by the state agency, sets the binding rules. Those codes are updated periodically, which is why knowing the current year’s rules matters.

This table reflects general frameworks as of 2026. Always verify current rules with your specific state’s fish and wildlife agency before trapping.

States Where Raccoon Relocation Is Illegal

Several U.S. states have explicitly banned raccoon relocation in their wildlife codes or administrative regulations. These bans are not informal suggestions. They are enforceable legal prohibitions with real penalties attached.

New York is one of the clearest examples. Under New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) regulations, relocating raccoons is prohibited. The rationale is the state’s raccoon rabies management program, which has been active since the eastern raccoon rabies variant spread through the state in the 1990s. Moving a raccoon from one location to another could undermine rabies control efforts, which is the agency’s stated basis for the ban.

Virginia follows a similar prohibition. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources classifies raccoons as a rabies vector species, and state regulations prohibit their relocation. Pennsylvania and Maryland have comparable frameworks. West Virginia also restricts relocation significantly under its state wildlife code.

States with documented raccoon relocation prohibitions or near-prohibitions:

• New York: Explicitly prohibited under NYSDEC regulations
• Virginia: Prohibited under rabies vector species designation
• Pennsylvania: Generally prohibited; licensed WCO euthanasia standard
• Maryland: Prohibited under state wildlife regulations
• West Virginia: Heavily restricted under state wildlife code
• New Jersey: Relocation banned; on-site euthanasia or release only

These states represent the strictest end of the regulatory spectrum. If you live in one of them and you trap a raccoon with the intention of releasing it elsewhere, you are violating state law regardless of how careful you are about where you release it.

Do You Need a Permit to Relocate Raccoons?

Yes, a permit is required to legally relocate raccoons in most U.S. states that permit relocation at all. The permit is typically issued by the state fish and wildlife agency and may be called a nuisance wildlife permit, a depredation permit, or a wildlife damage control permit depending on the state.

Permit requirements vary by state. Some states issue permits to property owners who apply for them, allowing the landowner to trap and relocate (or euthanize) a nuisance raccoon themselves. Other states issue permits only to licensed wildlife control operators, effectively requiring you to hire a professional for any legal removal and relocation.

The permit process typically requires identifying the property, describing the nuisance problem, specifying the intended method of resolution, and in some states identifying the proposed release site. Release sites may need to be pre-approved by the agency. Some states restrict release to wildlife management areas, parks, or other specified locations rather than any random patch of woods.

Common permit types for raccoon trapping and relocation:

Applying for a permit without fully understanding what it authorizes is a common mistake. A permit to trap does not automatically mean a permit to relocate.

Do You Need a License to Trap Raccoons?

Whether you need a license to trap raccoons depends on your state and what you intend to do with the animal after trapping. For personal property protection purposes, some states allow unlicensed property owners to trap nuisance animals, while others require a trapping license or wildlife control operator license for any raccoon trapping regardless of intent.

Most states have a trapping license program through their fish and wildlife agency. A standard trapping license covers hunting and fur-trapping of raccoons during designated seasons. That license generally does not authorize off-season trapping for nuisance control purposes or authorize relocation to a different property.

The wildlife control operator (WCO) license is a separate, more specialized credential. WCOs are trained and licensed to trap nuisance animals as a professional service. In states that require a WCO for raccoon removal, a standard trapping license held by a homeowner does not qualify. The WCO license involves training requirements, state examinations, and sometimes insurance requirements that standard trapping licenses do not.

License types relevant to raccoon trapping:

• Standard state trapping license: Covers seasonal fur-trapping; may not cover nuisance control
• Wildlife control operator (WCO) license: Required for professional nuisance animal removal in many states
• Nuisance animal control permit: Property-owner specific; covers a specific animal at a specific location
• No license required: A small number of states allow unlicensed property owner trapping on their own land for immediate threat situations

Key Takeaway: In states with strict raccoon relocation prohibitions, no permit or license authorizes relocation. In states where relocation is permitted, either a property-specific permit or a professional WCO license is required in virtually all cases.

How Far Do You Have to Relocate a Raccoon?

There is no single nationally required minimum distance for raccoon relocation. Distance requirements are set by individual states, and where states specify a minimum, the numbers vary significantly. Common guidelines from wildlife agencies and professional trappers range from 5 miles to 25 miles from the capture site.

The reason distance matters is raccoon homing behavior. Studies have shown raccoons can navigate back to their home territory from distances of several miles. A release point that is too close simply results in the animal returning. Wildlife agencies that set distance minimums are trying to prevent both the return of the animal and the creation of a new disease introduction point near another populated area.

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Some states specify that release must occur within the same county as the capture location. Others require release within the same watershed or ecological zone. A few states specify release on public wildlife management areas only, with no private land releases permitted.

Distance and release site rules in select states:

In states that prohibit relocation entirely, the distance question is irrelevant. The permitted answer is euthanasia, not release.

Raccoon Rabies Vector Species Laws

The rabies vector species (RVS) designation is the single most important legal classification affecting raccoon relocation rules in the United States. States that classify raccoons as a rabies vector species apply a distinct, stricter set of regulations that go well beyond standard nuisance wildlife rules.

Raccoons are the primary wildlife host for the eastern raccoon rabies variant. This variant has been documented across the eastern U.S. since the 1970s and represents one of the most significant wildlife rabies reservoirs in North America. Because raccoons carry and transmit rabies at high rates in affected areas, state wildlife agencies treat relocation as a public health issue, not just a wildlife management question.

In states with active RVS programs, relocating a raccoon means potentially moving a rabies-exposed animal into an area where that rabies variant has not yet established itself. That is exactly the kind of geographic spread that state and federal disease control programs are designed to prevent. Prohibition on relocation is the regulatory response to that risk.

States with raccoon rabies vector species designations affecting relocation:

The RVS designation is not just a wildlife management tool. It is the legal foundation for some of the strictest raccoon handling rules in the country, and it is the reason why professional wildlife control operators in eastern states almost never relocate raccoons.

Is It Illegal to Move Raccoons Across State Lines?

Moving raccoons across state lines is illegal in most circumstances and can trigger federal criminal liability under the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act, codified at 16 U.S.C. Section 3371 et seq., prohibits the transport of wildlife across state lines in violation of any state law.

Here is how that works in practice. If your state prohibits raccoon relocation and you drive a trapped raccoon across the state line into a neighboring state to release it, you have violated both your home state’s wildlife law and the federal Lacey Act. The federal charge is separate from the state charge and can be prosecuted independently.

Lacey Act violations for wildlife transport range from civil penalties to criminal charges depending on the commercial value of the wildlife, the intent of the person, and whether the violation was knowing or unknowing. For someone who genuinely did not know they were violating any law, civil penalties apply. For someone who knowingly transported wildlife in violation of state law, criminal charges including misdemeanor and felony prosecution are possible.

Lacey Act violation framework for raccoon transport:

• Unknowing violation: Civil penalty; fines up to $10,000 per violation
• Knowing violation: Criminal misdemeanor; up to $100,000 fine and one year in prison
• Knowing violation for commercial gain: Criminal felony; up to $250,000 fine and five years in prison
• Additional state charges: Apply on top of federal Lacey Act charges

Even if your intent is completely humane, transporting a raccoon across a state line where either state prohibits such transport or relocation is a federal offense.

Key Takeaway: Moving a raccoon across state lines exposes you to federal Lacey Act charges on top of any state wildlife violations. The federal penalties are serious and apply even when you have no commercial intent.

Raccoon Relocation Laws in California

In California, raccoon relocation is heavily regulated and not freely permitted for private individuals. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) classifies raccoons as non-game mammals under the California Fish and Game Code, which means specific rules govern how they can be handled.

Under California Fish and Game Code Section 4152 and related regulations, a property owner can trap a raccoon that is causing property damage without a license, but what they can do with the trapped animal is restricted. The preferred CDFW guidance is on-site release or euthanasia. Transporting a raccoon to a different property and releasing it there without CDFW authorization is not clearly permitted and can result in a wildlife code violation.

The California approach is complicated by county-level rules. Some California counties have additional wildlife ordinances that further restrict trapping and transport of raccoons. Los Angeles County, for example, has its own animal control provisions that interact with state wildlife rules.

Key California raccoon relocation rules:

• Legal authority: California Fish and Game Code Section 4152
• Who can trap: Property owner for damage prevention; no license required for own property
• Release options: On-site preferred; off-property release requires authorization
• Licensed trapper: California Trapping License required for commercial trapping operations
• CDFW permit: May be required for off-property transport and release
• County rules: Check local ordinances; some counties add restrictions

California does not have a blanket statewide prohibition on raccoon relocation, but it does not grant automatic permission either. Operating without explicit CDFW authorization creates legal exposure under the Fish and Game Code.

Raccoon Relocation Laws in Florida

Florida has specific rules around raccoon trapping and relocation administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Raccoons in Florida are classified as a fur-bearing game animal, which means their handling is subject to Florida Fish and Wildlife Code provisions.

Under Florida law, a property owner may trap and remove raccoons that are causing damage to their property. However, the FWC’s rules specify that trapped raccoons must be released on the property where they were caught, transferred to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, or euthanized. Transporting a live raccoon off the property and releasing it elsewhere is not authorized for private property owners without additional permits.

The FWC issues Wildlife Assistance Permits (WAPs) to licensed wildlife control agents, which authorize more expansive handling of nuisance wildlife. Private individuals dealing with nuisance raccoons in Florida are strongly directed toward hiring a licensed wildlife control agent rather than attempting self-relocation.

Florida raccoon relocation framework:

Florida does not have the same rabies-driven blanket prohibition as northeastern states, but it does not allow casual off-property relocation either.

Raccoon Relocation Laws in Texas

Texas gives property owners relatively more flexibility around nuisance raccoon management than many states, but relocation is still regulated and not a free-for-all. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) governs raccoon-related activities under the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code.

Under Texas law, raccoons are classified as a furbearer. Property owners and their agents may take (trap, hunt, or otherwise remove) furbearers that are causing damage to their property without a hunting or trapping license, under a specific property owner exemption. What happens after trapping is where the legal complexity enters.

TPWD does not explicitly prohibit all off-property raccoon relocation for private individuals, but it does require that anyone releasing a raccoon on another person’s property have that landowner’s permission. Releasing a raccoon on public land, in a park, or on another person’s private land without permission is not authorized. Some Texas counties have additional wildlife ordinances that restrict trapping and transport.

Key Texas raccoon relocation rules:

• Governing authority: Texas Parks and Wildlife Code
• Property owner trapping: Permitted without a license for damage control on own property
• Off-property release: Requires landowner consent at destination
• Public land release: Not authorized for private individuals without TPWD approval
• Licensed trapper: Texas Trapper’s License required for commercial trapping operations
• Nuisance wildlife: TPWD Nuisance Wildlife permit available for specific situations

Texas is one of the more permissive states, but “more permissive” still means “regulated.” Releasing a raccoon in a city park or a neighbor’s backyard without permission creates legal exposure under the Parks and Wildlife Code.

Raccoon Relocation Laws in New York

New York has one of the strictest raccoon relocation frameworks in the United States. Under New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) regulations, relocating raccoons is explicitly prohibited. This is not a guideline or a suggestion. It is a binding regulatory prohibition with enforcement teeth.

The basis for New York’s prohibition is the state’s raccoon rabies management program. New York was significantly impacted by the spread of the eastern raccoon rabies variant beginning in the late 1980s. The NYSDEC determined that allowing relocation of raccoons would undermine the state’s ability to control the geographic spread of raccoon rabies, and the prohibition was enacted as part of the state’s public health response.

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Under New York law, raccoons that are trapped as nuisance animals must either be euthanized on-site or handled by a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator. Licensed NWCOs in New York cannot relocate raccoons either. They can trap them for euthanasia or release them on the same property where they were captured.

New York raccoon relocation rules:

• Governing authority: NYSDEC regulations
• Private homeowner relocation: Prohibited
• Licensed NWCO relocation: Prohibited
• Permitted outcomes for trapped raccoons: Euthanasia or same-property release only
• Penalty for violation: Wildlife law violation; fines and potential license revocation for NWCOs
• Basis for prohibition: Raccoon rabies management program under state public health law

New York represents the regulatory extreme. If you live in New York and you trap a raccoon and drive it to the woods five miles away, you have violated state law regardless of your intentions.

Can a Homeowner Trap and Relocate Raccoons?

A homeowner’s legal ability to trap and relocate raccoons depends entirely on the state they are in and the specific permit or license requirements that state imposes. In most states, a homeowner can trap a raccoon on their own property for nuisance control. What they cannot do in most states is then drive that raccoon somewhere else and release it.

The trap-and-release-on-own-property approach is the narrowest legal path available to unlicensed homeowners. Some states allow this without any permit. Others require even on-property trapping to be done by a licensed WCO or with a nuisance wildlife permit.

The practical reality is that most homeowners want to get the raccoon away from their property, which is exactly the step that creates legal exposure. Moving a trapped raccoon off your property and releasing it in a park, a forest, or an open field is the action that violates wildlife law in most states.

What homeowners can typically do legally (varies by state):

• Trap a raccoon on their own property with a live trap
• Release the trapped raccoon on the same property (where permitted)
• Contact a licensed WCO to handle removal and lawful disposal
• Apply for a nuisance wildlife permit if the state offers one to property owners
• Euthanize the animal humanely if state law permits property owners to do so

What homeowners typically cannot do legally:

• Transport a raccoon off their property and release it elsewhere without a permit
• Release a raccoon on public land, in a park, or on another person’s property without permission
• Move a raccoon across county or state lines without authorization
• Trap raccoons in states that require WCO licensing without that credential

Penalties for Illegally Relocating Raccoons

Penalties for illegally relocating raccoons are real and enforceable. They range from relatively modest civil fines for minor violations to misdemeanor criminal charges for more serious wildlife law violations, and in cases involving interstate transport, federal criminal exposure under the Lacey Act.

At the state level, most wildlife code violations for unauthorized raccoon trapping or relocation are classified as misdemeanors. State fine amounts for wildlife misdemeanors vary widely. Common ranges are $100 to $1,000 for a first offense, with higher fines for repeat violations or aggravated circumstances. Some states also provide for confiscation of trapping equipment used in the violation.

Licensed wildlife control operators face additional consequences beyond criminal fines. A WCO whose license is in good standing who violates relocation rules can face license suspension or revocation in addition to any criminal or civil penalties. Losing a WCO license ends a professional’s ability to operate in that state.

Penalty framework for illegal raccoon relocation:

Specific state penalty amounts vary. “Specific penalties have not been publicly confirmed” for every state’s raccoon-specific violation, but the ranges above reflect documented wildlife misdemeanor penalty frameworks across major states.

What Happens If You Relocate a Raccoon Illegally?

What actually happens when someone illegally relocates a raccoon depends on who catches them, what state they are in, and whether any aggravating factors are present. Most first-time violations result in a citation rather than immediate arrest, but the legal record and fines are real.

State fish and wildlife officers have the authority to issue citations for wildlife code violations, seize equipment used in the violation, and in serious cases, make arrests. Most wildlife officer encounters with people who have illegally relocated raccoons result in a citation and a court summons, not a handcuffed arrest on the spot. But that citation leads to a court appearance, a potential conviction on your record, and fines.

For licensed wildlife control operators, the consequences extend further. A NYSDEC-licensed NWCO who is found to have relocated raccoons in violation of state prohibition faces citation plus a license action. Depending on the severity, that can mean suspension or permanent revocation of the professional license, which ends the business.

The typical sequence after an illegal relocation is discovered:

• Wildlife officer observes or receives a complaint about illegal raccoon transport or release
• Officer investigates; if evidence supports a violation, a citation is issued
• The cited person receives a court summons; failure to appear can result in a warrant
• Court appearance results in a fine, possible community service, or other penalties
• Equipment used in the violation may be confiscated
• If the violation involved a licensed professional, a separate license disciplinary proceeding begins
• Interstate transport triggers a separate federal investigation and potential Lacey Act charges

The risk of prosecution is real for licensed professionals and increases substantially for anyone transporting raccoons across state lines. For private homeowners who made an honest mistake, the most common outcome is a fine and a warning on a first offense.

Key Takeaway: Illegally relocating raccoons leads to real consequences: state misdemeanor charges, fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, equipment confiscation, and for licensed professionals, loss of the license that sustains their business. Interstate transport adds federal Lacey Act exposure on top of everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to relocate raccoons in the United States?

Relocating raccoons is illegal in many U.S. states and heavily regulated in most others.
No federal law bans in-state raccoon relocation for private individuals, but state wildlife codes set the binding rules.
States like New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland explicitly prohibit raccoon relocation under their wildlife regulations.
In states where relocation is permitted, it almost always requires a permit, a license, or both.

How far do you legally have to move a raccoon when relocating it?

There is no single national minimum distance requirement for raccoon relocation.
State wildlife agencies set their own distance guidance, with common recommendations ranging from 5 to 25 miles from the capture site.
Some states require release within the same county, while others specify approved release sites like wildlife management areas.
In states where relocation is prohibited, the distance question is irrelevant because no lawful relocation is permitted at all.

Do you need a permit or license to trap and relocate raccoons?

Yes, in most states a permit, a license, or both are required to legally trap and relocate raccoons.
Property owners in some states can trap raccoons on their own land for nuisance control without a license, but transporting the animal off-property almost always requires authorization.
A wildlife control operator (WCO) license is required in many states for professional raccoon removal and is the standard credential for lawful removal services.
Applying for a nuisance wildlife permit or depredation permit is the typical path for property owners in states that offer that option to private individuals.

What states make raccoon relocation illegal?

New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and West Virginia are among the states with documented prohibitions or near-prohibitions on raccoon relocation.
Most of these bans are rooted in raccoon rabies vector species management programs designed to prevent geographic spread of raccoon rabies.
In these states, licensed wildlife control operators are also prohibited from relocating raccoons; euthanasia or same-property release are the permitted outcomes.
Check your specific state’s fish and wildlife agency website or regulations for the current year’s rules.

What are the penalties for illegally relocating a raccoon?

State penalties for illegal raccoon relocation are typically misdemeanor wildlife violations with fines ranging from $100 to $2,000 depending on the state and the circumstances.
Equipment used in the violation can be confiscated in addition to the fine.
Licensed wildlife control operators face license suspension or revocation on top of any criminal or civil penalties.
Interstate transport of raccoons in violation of state law triggers additional federal Lacey Act charges, which can reach $10,000 in civil penalties or criminal charges carrying up to one year in prison for knowing violations.

Raccoon relocation law is genuinely complicated, and the gap between what people assume is legal and what actually is legal gets a lot of homeowners and well-meaning animal lovers into trouble. The rules exist for real reasons tied to public health, not just bureaucratic red tape.

Bookmark this guide and share it with anyone dealing with a nuisance raccoon situation. Wildlife laws change at the state level regularly, and knowing the current rules is the only way to handle the situation without creating a legal problem on top of a wildlife one.

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