Or keep your cans in tight-fitting bins, a shed, or a garage. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Foxes Gulls Mice Moles Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) Pigeon or rock dove (Columba livia) Rabbit, Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) Raccoons (Procyon lotor) Snakes (e) Landowners are encouraged to allow general season hunting and trapping on their property to help minimize damage potential and concerns. Raccoons also eat insects, slugs, dead animals, birds and bird eggs, as well as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Unclassified wildlife: Taking unclassified wildlife in violation of any department rule by killing, hunting, taking, holding, possessing, or maliciously injuring or harming wildlife that is not classified as big game, game animals, game birds, protected wildlife, or endangered wildlife. The use of chemicals is allowed only with a Pesticide/SPI License issued by the Washington Department of Agriculture. Place bait in a hole dug under the rear of the trap. Modify the sides so the otters can't escape. Typically these individuals are referred to as Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs), and there are many WCOs throughout the state. Opinions also depend on what will be killedpeople are often less upset if it's a mouse or a snake that is killed, and more upset if it is a raccoon or a beaver. Common or scientific name Category - Any - Alternatively, place a plastic laundry basket over the hole and cut out an opening just large enough to insert the door of a trap into the basket cut-out. Mountain beavers are very prone to hypothermia, so wrap the trap with black plastic or burlap and cover it with soil. Set the trap near an active burrow with signs of recent diggings. For more information about these environmentally and economically destructive species, visit the Aquatic invasive species page. 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). Typically, migratory birds and other federally protected species are the responsibility of the USDA Wildlife Services, and WCOs should refer customers to them if the customers complaint involves these species. Do you want to talk to a Issaquah Unclassified Wildlife lawyer? Body-gripping traps are illegal in Washington, but certain of these traps may be authorized through the issuance of a Special Trapping Permit (STP; see definition). We've got your back. Hunters and trappers participating in harvesting wildlife under this section must comply with provisions of each permit. A short line of bait leading to the entrance of the trap will increase capture success. This permit is only valid for 30 days and requires a report within 10 days of the permit expiration, regardless of trapping success. Tracks may appear as smudge marks on the side of a house where a raccoon shimmies up and down a downspout or utility pipe. Finally, if a place in the wild or an urban green space is perfect for raccoons, raccoons are probably already there. Animals that are released may harm or be harmed by resident animals (e.g., by territorial disputes, disease transmission, gene-pool disruptions, etc.). Hence, it is more effective to make the site less attractive to raccoons than it is to routinely trap them. Do you want to talk to a Tacoma Unclassified Wildlife lawyer? 12 x 12 x 36 in., Appropriate times to trap an animal in or around a home or property include emergency situations, the removal of a targeted problem animal, or when trapping is the only practical solution. Lock the pet door at night. However, roundworm eggs shed in raccoon droppings can cause mild to serious illness in other animals and humans. Unroasted peanuts, sunflower seeds, grain, popcorn, apple slices. (a) Predatory birds other than crows and magpies (as defined in RCW. Flush the wound liberally with tap water. Box traps designed specifically for trapping skunks are available, or a cover can be made out of a dark-colored blanket, plywood, or cardboard fastened with bungee cords. The following list of animals known from Washington is complete for resident and transient vertebrates and several groups of invertebrates, including odonates, branchipods, tiger beetles, butterflies, . The Department of Fish & Wildlife is authorized to classify wildlife as game, as endangered or protected species, or as a predatory bird consistent with RCW 77.08.010 and 77.12.020. 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. national and state ranks are assigned to each taxon. Dont give raccoons access to garbage:Keep your garbage can lid on tight by securing it with rope, chain, bungee cords, or weights. Raccoons are a common sight in much of Washington, often drawn to urban areas by food supplied by humans. To protect yourself, always wear gloves when handling the trap. Wild Animal Those species of the class Mammalia whose members exist in Washington in a wild state. The unclassified wildlife would be the examples you gave below such as rats, starlings etc.). All WCOs are responsible for knowing the expiration date of their Certificate and applying to WDFW for renewal (email. Place the trap near cover where rabbits feed or rest, or where they gain entry under a fence. Free strategy session. Under the guidelines, drowning, live burial, and freezing live animals are considered inhumane and unacceptable. Habitat conditions in the new area might not be suited to the animal being released. The raccoon is classified as both a furbearer and a game animal . It is permissible to kill unclassified wildlife, predatory birds, and game animals that are in the act of damaging commercial crops or attacking livestock or other domestic animals, under the following conditions: (a) Predatory birds other than crows and magpies (defined in RCW. larger, longer if a double-door trap is used. The fish and wildlife commission is authorized to classify wildlife as game, and/or as endangered species or protected wildlife, and/or as a predatory bird consistent with RCW, The conditions for killing wildlife vary, based primarily on the classification of the wildlife species, the imminent nature of the threat to damage private property, the type of private property damage, and the preventive and nonlethal methods employed by the person prior to the damage event. Commercial products that prevent climbing are available from farm supply centers and online from bird-control supply companies. Possess a minimum of two-years experience that demonstrates the knowledge and ability to control wildlife species causing conflict or property damage. Check yourlocal firearm ordinances). Contact Information for WDFW Headquarters and Regional Offices: Natural Resources Building 1111 Washington St. Tribal members operating under subsection (5) of this section are required to meet tribal hunting license, tag, and permit requirements. Mortality rates increase when animals are subjected to stress and trauma associated with capture, handling, transport, and being released into an unfamiliar territory. The SNAP list of alternatives is found at 40 CFR Part 82 subpart G with supplemental tables of alternatives available at (http://www.epa.gov/snap/). Raccoon populations can get quite large in urban areas, owing to hunting and trapping restrictions, few predators, and human-supplied food. A salt-soaked cloth, sponge, or piece of wood, also water softener tablets, sweet potatoes, apples, roasted peanuts. Multiple traps are not something most homeowners have on hand. The length is 3 to 5 inches, but this is usually broken into segments. However, a WCO may legally remove bats found in or immediately adjacent to a dwelling or other occupied building. Coyote sightings often increase in winter and spring when they are more active. A captured animal should not remain in the trap longer than necessary. Twenty-four-inch long aluminum or galvanized vent-pipe, available at most hardware stores, can serve as a premade barrier around a narrow support. Contact your physician and the local health department immediately. The person responsible for disposal of dead wildlife must dispose of it by burial, landfilling, incineration, composting, rendering, or another method approved (such as natural decomposition) that is not otherwise prohibited by federal, state, or local law or regulation. In such a case, the animal is evicted within its home range and because it is familiar with its surroundings, it can soon find suitable food and shelter. A trap that contained a sick animal should be washed, disinfected with a bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water and left on the trap for 20 minutes), and thoroughly rinsed after each capture so as to stop the spread of any potential disease. Tribes must be in compliance with the agreements including, but not limited to, adhering to reporting requirements, possession, and harvest restrictions. If it is necessary to have it remain open, put an electronically activated opener on your pets collar. Free strategy session. Usually observed at night, they are occasionally seen during the day eating or napping in a tree or searching elsewhere for food. Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) Eastern coyotes (Canis latrans var.) Conceal the cage trap well with grass or leaves. In such a case, release the female on site so she can tend to her young. (1) A big game hunting license is required to hunt for big game. However, despite the perception that live capture in cage traps is humane, animals often experience stress and physical damage during capture. Also, it rarely is a permanent solution if other animals are in the area, and food and/or shelter remain available to them. (See Evicting Animals from Buildings for exclusion techniques.). Hunting coyotes all year without lights is still legal, but with a valid big or small game license. Exfiltration means any unauthorized release of data from within an information system. When a conflict exists between humans and animals it is usually because the animal is only doing what it needs to do to survive. 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. 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. The kits remain with their mother in her home range through winter, and in early spring seek out their own territories. 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. The Townsend mole (shown here), like all moles have broad front feet, the toes of which terminate in stout claws faced outward for digging. Raccoons prefer forest areas near a stream or water source, but have adapted to various environments throughout Washington. 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. Note: In order to properly check an animal for possible rabies, the animal must not be shot in the head; instead, aim for the lung area directly behind the front shoulder. Lethal control is rarely a long-term solution since other raccoons are likely to move in if food, water, or shelter remains available. It is best to use a larger trap than used on rabbits. Cantaloupe rind, ripe bananas, sweet potatoes. Single- or double-door type, 9 x 9 x 26 in. 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. Raccoons create toilet areasinside and outside structuresaway from the nesting area. Cage and box traps, suitcase-type live beaver traps, and common rat and mouse traps are not classified as body-gripping traps and do not require a STP. Raccoons used to a particular food source, type of shelter, or human activity will seek out familiar situations and surroundings. The best prevention against canine distemper is to have your dogs vaccinated and kept away from raccoons. 5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: 6 Sec. Cut the material with tin snips and file down any sharp edges. In addition, bats have excellent homing instincts, making moving bats unlikely to succeed. cage traps, foothold traps, and snares. Protected wildlife means wildlife designated by the. Enjoy a hunt of a different kind while remembering these ethical practices during the thrill of the chase. A raccoons dexterous paws make it possible for it to open various types of fasteners, latches, and containers. 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. (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-door type, 5 x 5 x 15 in. (e) An owner may kill an individual (one) black bear or cougar during the physical act of attacking livestock or domestic animals with or without an agreement or permit within a twelve-month period. 21.43. They include abandoned burrows dug by other mammals, areas in or under large rock piles and brush piles, hollow logs, and holes in trees. (c) Subject to subsection (7) of this section, the following list of wildlife species may be killed by the owner of the property, owner's immediate family member, agent of the owner, owner's documented employee, or licensed hunters/trappers in a lawful manner with the express permission of the private real property owner, when causing damage to private property: Raccoon, fox, bobcat, beaver, muskrat, mink, river otter, weasel, hare, and cottontail rabbits. Place the trap in the vicinity of damage or at the den entrance. If the doors do not work fast enough, place small stones or other weights on top of the door to make it drop faster. 2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 77.15.140: Unclassified fish or wildlife Unlawful taking Penalty. Territory of Guam, 1970 Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York Special edition of the Federal Register, containing a codification of documents of general applicability and . Corn, carrot greens, sweet apples, cattail roots. 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. It allows hunting for all classified wild animals, wild birds, and unclassified wildlife. Providing a letter of recommendation from a currently certified WCO or trapper stating the individual has two years experience. 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. See notes. Den sites also include wood duck nest-boxes, attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and abandoned vehicles. If a skunk is accidentally caught, use a long stick or other device to slowly cover the trap with a towel or blanket before moving it. To prevent tipping, secure side handles to metal or wooden stakes driven into the ground. Each WCO must identify their traps or devices by attaching a metal tag with the owners WDFW-assigned identification number (WILD ID or WCO number) or the name and address of the trapper legibly written in numbers or letters not less than one-eighth inch in height, or by inscribing the WDFW-assigned identification number or name and address of the WCO into the metal of the trap. (a) The fee for this license is thirty-five dollars for residents, one hundred sixty-five dollars for nonresidents, and fifteen dollars for youth. Dry or canned pet food, sardines, old meat, chicken entrails, bacon, fish, apples. Wildlife Control Operator A person who has successfully completed the training and obtained one or more levels of certification from WDFW to assist landowners to prevent or control problems caused by wildlife and charge a fee. The owner must notify the department within twenty-four hours of kill. If an animal needs to be trapped and you are uncomfortable or have no interest in doing the work yourself, contact a wildlife damage control company. Permanently separating the nursing female from her young would likely cause the offspring to starve to death. 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. Note: Skunks and opossums often take their time when leaving a cage trap. Reverse this procedure when attempting to capture a diurnal (active during daylight) animal. (Cats claws dont rotate and they have to back down trees.) 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