Refrain from setting a trap near a shallow well, garden, playpen, or where a dog is tethered. Free strategy session. To lure the porcupine, blend a cup of raw sweet potatoes and an apple, and dribble the pured mixture at the opening of a single-door live trap. Unclassified Wildlife Wild animals in Washington that are not classified as Game, Furbearer, Endangered, Threatened, or Protected species. Point the opening of the trap toward escape cover, so the animal can see and move toward it. A WCO may not harass, control, or kill the following classified game animals: black bear, cougar, moose, deer, or elk. Single- or double-door type, 5 x 5 x 16 in. Monofilament recovery and recycling program, evict a raccoon or other animal from a building. (See Evicting Animals from Buildings for exclusion techniques.). Do you want to talk to a Lacey Unclassified Wildlife lawyer? If you are somewhat knowledgeable about wildlife, have identified the species of animal to be trapped, and feel you can handle the situation in a humane and legal way, follow the steps below. To avoid injuring people or trapping pets and other non-targeted animals in urban or suburban settings, cage traps often are the only traps permitted for use in these areas. Captured animals may also suffer from exposure to extreme weather and lack of water. Widely accepted methods for euthanasia set by the American Veterinarian Medical Association include, but are not limited to: A WCO may not relocate any animal from the property where it was captured to a different property unless by rule of the WDFW Commission or through a permit issued by WDFW or dispose of a euthanized animal without the consent of the property owner where the animal is to be disposed. Tribes must be in compliance with the agreements including, but not limited to, adhering to reporting requirements, possession, and harvest restrictions. The diameter is about the size of the end of your little finger. If the doors do not work fast enough, place small stones or other weights on top of the door to make it drop faster. The animals listed on the report should include authorized species and any incidentally trapped non-target species. The raccoon is a native mammal, measuring about 3 feet long, including its 12-inch, bushy, ringed tail. Place some bait just outside the trap and spray the inside with apple juice to increase effectiveness. Single-door type, 10 x 12 x 42 in. Body-gripping Trap In Washington, this is defined as a trap that grips and holds an animals body or body part. Corn, carrot greens, sweet apples, cattail roots. WDFW enlists the help of private citizens who have skills and training in the capture and handling of many wildlife species that commonly generate wildlife complaints. These species include black-billed magpie, American crow, European starling, house (English) sparrow, rock dove, and Eurasian-collared dove. A "good death" is one that occurs with minimal pain and distress. (d) Multiple deer or elk may be killed if they are in the act of damaging commercial crops if the owner, owner's immediate family member, agent of the owner, or owner's documented employee is issued damage prevention or kill permits and the owner has a valid, written damage prevention cooperative agreement with the department. Single- or double-door type, 9 x 9 x 26 in. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that may frighten the skunk. Other method as identified by the department (this on-line course qualifies). The same (or a competing) species may already be overabundant in the area. Decide if the animal will be released on site, euthanized, or moved somewhere else by someone who has a permit to transport it. The unset trap should be closed at dawn to avoid trapping a non-target animal during the day. For Douglas squirrels, see above. Young raccoons are the main victims of starvation, since they have very little fat reserves to draw from during food shortages in late winter and early spring. Anyone authorized to use a STP is required to follow the most up-to-date version of the AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia, and AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals. (b) All migratory birds are federally protected and may require a federal permit or federal authority, in addition to a state permit. Do you want to talk to a Tacoma Unclassified Wildlife lawyer? New Laws For Coyote Hunting In Washington According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, it is now illegal to shoot coyotes at night with headlights at night during deer and elk seasons. Lock the pet door at night. Contact your local wildlife office and municipality for current information on trapping restrictions (types of traps to be used, requirements foreuthanasia, species of biological concern in the area) and any required authorization. Place a few sunflower seeds in front of the trap entrance. Anchor the trap with a cinder block or other heavy object placed on top. Raccoons may also transmit diseases to rural populations that they have picked up from urban pets. Enjoy a hunt of a different kind while remembering these ethical practices during the thrill of the chase. If they remain in the new area, they may get into fights (oftentimes to the death) with resident raccoons for limited food, shelter, or nesting sites. Wrap the cage trap in something dark; mink like to investigate dark holes. Apples, sunflower seeds, roasted peanuts. Stake the basket down so it cannot be moved. Tainted meat, eggs placed in a nest, marshmallows, cotton balls (they resemble eggs and have eye appeal). If the trap is set outdoors, biological risk is minimal but still real. House cats have similar habits. Raccoons typically try to return to their original territories, often getting hit by a car or killed by a predator in the process. Cut the material with tin snips and file down any sharp edges. Contact your WDFW Regional Office for release sites. (a) Predatory birds other than crows and magpies (as defined in RCW. Foxes are long-bodied animals, so the trap must be long. Fish and wildlife officers are Or keep your cans in tight-fitting bins, a shed, or a garage. Before using a trap, be sure it is clean, to prevent the animal coming in contact with or spreading potentially dangerous organisms. The owner must notify the department within twenty-four hours of kill. Species means any group of animals classified as a species or subspecies as commonly accepted by the scientific community. Place the trap under the driver's-side door of a truck, or a window on a house, lean out the window, and hold the door open with the string until the animal exits. Raccoon roundworm does not usually cause a serious problem for raccoons. Although rarely documented anywhere in the United States, raccoon roundworm can infect a person who accidentally ingests or inhales the parasites eggs. Reverse this procedure when attempting to capture a diurnal (active during daylight) animal. . Do not attempt to care for the animals yourself. If it is not feasible to dispose of a carcass on-site, contact a local veterinarian or wildlife damage control company for assistance with disposal. Twenty-four-inch long aluminum or galvanized vent-pipe, available at most hardware stores, can serve as a premade barrier around a narrow support. Environment means indoor air, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, land surface, subsurface strata, and natural resources such as wetlands, flora and fauna. Cheese or fresh bloody meat such as chicken or rabbit; use sight attractors like feathers or fur. It allows hunting for all classified wild animals, wild birds, and unclassified wildlife. Eliminate access to denning sites:Raccoons commonly use chimneys, attics, and spaces under houses, porches, and sheds as den sites. The term euthanasia is derived from the Greek terms eu meaning good, and thanatos meaning death. Its search for a den site may lead it to an attic, chimney, or crawl space. WCOs are not an employee of the state or agent thereof. Better yet, buy garbage cans with clamps or other mechanisms that hold lids on. (a) The fee for this license is thirty-five dollars for residents, one hundred sixty-five dollars for nonresidents, and fifteen dollars for youth. Raccoons make several types of noises, including a purr, a chittering sound, and various growls, snarls, and snorts. Care should always be taken to guarantee that the animal is euthanized humanely. Look for scratch marks on trees and other structures that raccoons climb. longer if a double-door trap is used. The peak mating period is March to April. People, organizations, or agencies that illegally move raccoons should be willing to assume liability for any damages or injuries caused by these animals. Excess animals have to move or die. Home range diameters of 1 mile are known to occur in urban areas. We've got your back. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is quite different. A shot to the head from a firearm (small and medium sized animals; check local firearms ordinances). Raw fur A pelt that has not been processed for purposes of retail sale. They also recognize signs of diseases and nursing females. Protect fruit trees, bird feeders, and nest boxes:To prevent raccoons from climbing fruit trees, poles, and other vertical structures, install a metal or heavy plastic barrier. To prevent raccoons and opossums from toppling the trap, make sure the protective material extends out from the trap at least 8 inches and locate the trap away from shrubs or other objects that they could grab. A person disposing of dead wildlife by burial must place it so that every part is covered by at least three (3) feet of soil; at a location not less than one hundred (100) feet from any well, spring, stream or other surface waters; not in a low-lying area subject to seasonal flooding; and not in a manner likely to contaminate groundwater. 2). Trapped feral cats should not be released but should be taken to your local animal shelter for either adoption or euthanasia. Due to the strength and aggressiveness of badgers, it is recommended that a professional trapper trap them. Two questions to ask yourself before attempting to trap an animal are: (1) Can I do this legally (comply with state laws regarding trapping and transporting wildlife? Remove vegetation on buildings, such as English ivy, which provide raccoons a way to climb structures and hide their access point inside. Kill-type traps are designed to quickly kill the captured animal, much like a common snap-trap used on house mice. When releasing an animal that offers the potential of a bite or a spray, attach a long string to the door of the trap prior to setting it, so the door can later be opened from a distance. Understand the Washington Rules, called Washington Administrative Codes (WAC), which pertain to the wildlife work performed by WCOs. After a 65-day gestation period, two to three kits are born. An exception occurs for the raw fur which may be kept for personal use or educational purposes, but the fur cannot be sold. Anchor the trap so it won't tip or misfire when the animal entersan animal will not enter a tipsy trap, and misfires teach it not to try and enter again. Not have a felony or domestic violence charge that precludes the WCO from carrying a firearm. Wild Animal Those species of the class Mammalia whose members exist in Washington in a wild state. A criminal background check is conducted upon initial certification and for each recertification. Free strategy session. DEPARTMENT POLICYFIP, MA As a condition of eligibility, the client must identify all third-party resources unless he has good cause for not cooperating. The commission shall determine whether a species should be managed by the department and, if so, classify it under this section. Cage traps are rarely effective at capturing healthy adult coyotes and most effective at capturing young or sick coyotes living in urban areas or entering a chicken coop or other holding area for pets, livestock, or birds. In the State of Washington, it is unlawful to possess or transport live wildlife or wild birds (except starlings and house sparrows by falconers) without a permit (WAC 220-450-030). When a conflict exists between humans and animals it is usually because the animal is only doing what it needs to do to survive. Washington, black bears live in a diverse array of forested habitats, from coastal rainforests to the dry woodlands of the Cascades' eastern slopes. The owner must notify the department within twenty-four hours of kill. In general, black bears are strongly associated with forest cover, but they do occasionally use relatively open country, such as clearcuts and the fringes of other open habitat. Peanut butter, nuts, corn, sunflower seed, popcorn, bread. A captured animal often defecates in a trap. Unfortunately, raccoon roundworm eggs can remain alive in soil and other places for several months. A Special Trapping Permit (STP) allows a person to use a specific body-gripping to help mitigate damage caused by certain species of wildlife. A raccoon in the wild will probably weigh less than the urbanized raccoon that has learned to live on handouts, pet food, and garbage-can leftovers. There are a variety of options: With this option, an animal is trapped and released on site after its reentry into a structure is prevented by physical exclusion. Artificial feeding also tends to concentrate raccoons in a small area; overcrowding can spread diseases and parasites. Use plenty of the suggested bait so it will be seen and its odor released into the air. Finally, if a place in the wild or an urban green space is perfect for raccoons, raccoons are probably already there. The most widely acceptedbut still disputedguidelines for euthanasia practices follow the standards set by the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA), which include: Unfortunately, the majority of the above agents of euthanasia require training and care to administer. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Permittees must adhere to all conditions of the permit (RCW 77.15.194 and WAC 220-440-070). Place the trap just outside the burrow and partially in the water, taking every precaution that the captured muskrat will not be under water and will be able to breathe. All WCOs must report on their WCO-related activities each year on a WDFW-approved Annual Report form (. A person must have the permission of the property owner to dispose of an animal on their property. River otters may be trapped in suitcase type traps used to capture beavers. Unclassified Wildlife Ticket Attorney Mercer Island. Sift dirt onto the bottom of the cage to cover the wire bottom. See notes. Take precautions to eliminate human scent from the trap and the area around the trap. Recommendations on how to do this are given below: Dont feed raccoons:Feeding raccoons may create undesirable situations for you, your children, neighbors, pets, and the raccoons themselves. The unclassified wildlife would be the examples you gave below such as rats, starlings etc.). As long as raccoons are kept out of human homes, not cornered, and not treated as pets, they are not dangerous. For more information about these environmentally and economically destructive species, visit the Aquatic invasive species page. or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Typically these individuals are referred to as Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs), and there are many WCOs throughout the state. All employees in a wildlife/pest control company that trap or control wildlife are required to be certified as a WCO. Set the trap in the vicinity of an animal kill or a travel way to and from cover. For these reasons, it is important that all precautions described throughout this handout are carefully followed. Small marshmallows (resemble eggs), tainted meat, sardines, bacon, canned fish. Not all wildlife create conflicts. Overlap and securely wire all seams on top to prevent raccoons from forcing their way in by using their weight and claws. Hence, it is more effective to make the site less attractive to raccoons than it is to routinely trap them. All non-target or threatened or endangered species should be released unharmed upon discovery, if possible. Contact your WDFW Regional Office for a current list of wildlife rehabilitators. It is best to use a larger trap than used on rabbits. Put food in secure compost containers and clean up barbecue areas:Dont put food of any kind in open compost piles; instead, use a securely covered compost structure or a commercially available raccoon-proof composter to prevent attracting raccoons and getting exposed to their droppings. Therefore, WDFW does not recommend, encourage, or condone drowning as a method of euthanasia of live-captured nuisance wildlife. For flying squirrels, set the trap inside a structure and near the animal's point of entry. Trap when the weather is mild and check the trap early in the morning. The hide, skin, viscera, head, or bones of wildlife; (ii) The skinned carcass of a furbearer; (iii) Squirrels, hares (rabbits), grouse, and ptarmigan; however, you may not use the breast meat of grouse and ptar- migan as animal food or bait; (iv) Unclassified wildlife. Before trapping an animal, you need to know what you are going to do with it after the animal has been captured. Trapped animals expend energy that is normally used to cope with winter conditions and they may die soon after. Because legal status, trapping restrictions, and other information about raccoons change, contact yourWDFW Regional Officefor updates. (d) The department may make agreements with landowners to prevent private property damage by wildlife. Make all connections flush and secure to keep mice, rats, and other mammals out. Failure of a WCO or recreational trapper to identify their traps is a misdemeanor. Carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO2) supplied to a chamber from a compressed gas cylinder (small and medium sized animals). [1998 c 190 15.] (67) "Unclassified wildlife" means wildlife existing in Washington in a wild state that have not been classified as big game, game animals, game birds, predatory birds, protected wildlife, endangered wildlife, or deleterious exotic wildlife. Note:Raccoon droppings may carry a parasite that can be fatal to humans. While shooting an animal may sound extreme, in many cases it is the best available method because of its quickness, and it may cause the least amount of stress and pain to the animal. Under the guidelines, drowning, live burial, and freezing live animals are considered inhumane and unacceptable. In addition, most are not available to, or do not appeal to, the do-it-yourselfer. Orphaned wildlife must be cared for by licensed professionals. In such cases, no permit is necessary for the use of live (cage) traps. Raccoons will eat almost anything, but are particularly fond of creatures found in waterclams, crayfish, frogs, fish, and snails. The average life span of a raccoon in the wild is 2 to 3 years; captive raccoons have lived 13. FBI Director Christopher Wray has said that the bureau believes Covid-19 "most likely" originated in a "Chinese government-controlled lab". Set the trap in the animal's line of travel. Piece of apple, sweet potato, or whatever is being eaten in the area. Killing wildlife to address private property damage is subject to all other state and federal laws including, but not limited to, Titles, (1) It is unlawful to kill protected wildlife or endangered species (as defined in RCW. If the animal is to be euthanized, decide who, and if necessary, how it will be done. The Townsend mole (shown here), like all moles have broad front feet, the toes of which terminate in stout claws faced outward for digging. Species included in the definition of "wildlife" vary from state to state and determination of whether a species is "wildlife" for the purposes of this compact shall be based on local law. Unclassified Wildlife Ticket Attorney Lacey. Except mice and rat snap-traps, quick-kill traps and other live holding traps should be left to professionals and individuals who meet state requirements and are authorized to use these traps under permit. This includes Eastern gray squirrels, Eastern cottontail rabbits, raccoons, and opossums. It is unlawful to release wildlife anywhere within the state, other than on the property where it was legally trapped, without a permit to do so (RCW 77.15.250). More than 289,000 invasive European green crabs were removed from Washington waters in 2022. (b) It is unlawful to take crows or magpies in violation of requirements published in Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R. The skunk will search for an opening to go through and go into the trap. The fur of any animal trapped under a Special Trapping Permit may only be retained by the WCO as long as the WCO has a valid Washington State Trappers license and retention of the fur is for personal use or educational purposes which do not result in retail sale or commerce. Species marked AIS are aquatic invasive species. Enclose poultry (chickens, ducks, and turkeys) in a secure outdoor pen and house:Raccoons will eat poultry and their eggs if they can get to them. 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