(a) Federally listed threatened or endangered species will require federal permits or federal authority, in addition to a state permit. Trap problem wildlife without a recreational trapping license. The WCO certificate does not permit the intentional trapping, killing, or control of domestic animals, such as cats or dogs. If your pet is bitten, follow the same cleansing procedure and contact your veterinarian. The Townsend mole (shown here), like all moles have broad front feet, the toes of which terminate in stout claws faced outward for digging. All trapped domestic animals must be released immediately on-site. A person must have the permission of the property owner to dispose of an animal on their property. 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. An infraction for Unclassified Wildlife is cited in the Revised Code of Washington State as RCW 77.15.160 Check out Revised Code of Washington. Information on species range and distribution, number of individuals, population trends . Trip the trap by using a pen or pencil, sticking an end through the side of the cage and pushing down on the treadle. 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. Contact your physician and the local health department immediately. 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. 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. Permanently separating the nursing female from her young would likely cause the offspring to starve to death. (69) "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. 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. An injection of sodium pentobarbital or other pharmaceutical. Coyote sightings often increase in winter and spring when they are more active. Species means any group of animals classified as a species or subspecies as commonly accepted by the scientific community. Raccoons often use culverts as a safe way to cross under roads. Due to the strength and aggressiveness of badgers, it is recommended that a professional trapper trap them. In wooded areas, they often rest in trees. If it is necessary to have it remain open, put an electronically activated opener on your pets collar. To prevent raccoons and other animals from accessing birds in their night roosts, equip poultry houses with well-fitted doors and secure locking mechanisms. This includes Eastern gray squirrels, Eastern cottontail rabbits, raccoons, and opossums. When there is no immediate threat to human health, safety, or property, a WCO should consider not excluding bats from a structure from mid-October through April, because of the potential for bats to be hibernating, or from mid-May through mid-September, because of the potential for flightless offspring. Owner A person who has a legal right to commercial crops, livestock, or other private property that was damaged during a wildlife interaction. Single or double-door type, 3 x 3 x 10 in. Because their hind legs are longer than the front legs, raccoons have a hunched appearance when they walk or run. All non-target or threatened or endangered species should be released unharmed upon discovery, if possible. See notes. A captured animal should not remain in the trap longer than necessary. Wire fences will need to have a mesh size that is no wider than 3 inches to keep young raccoons out. Raccoons can be seen throughout the year, except during extremely cold periods. Before trapping an animal, you need to know what you are going to do with it after the animal has been captured. A Special Trapping Permit (STP) allows a person to use a specific body-gripping to help mitigate damage caused by certain species of wildlife. (e) Landowners are encouraged to allow general season hunting and trapping on their property to help minimize damage potential and concerns. Dont give raccoons access to garbage:Keep your garbage can lid on tight by securing it with rope, chain, bungee cords, or weights. Due to the weight and dangers associated with suitcase traps, it is recommended that only people experienced with these traps use them. Pass the Washington State Recreational Trapper Education Exam (visit. Trapping activity by an individual in a nuisance wildlife situation must comply, where applicable, with the requirements under WAC 220-417-030 and adhere to RCW 77.36.030 & 77.15.190. Act of Damaging Private property is in the process of being damaged by wildlife. The hide, skin, viscera, head, or bones of wildlife;(ii) The skinned carcass of a furbearer;(iii) Squirrels, hares (rabbits), grouse, or ptarmigan; however, you may not use the breast meat of grouse and ptar- migan as animal food or bait;(iv) Unclassified wildlife. 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. Only a female with young or an animal holed up during a cold spell will use the same den for any length of time. of Fish and Wildlife's list of State Endangered, Threatened, Sensitive, and Candidate species, as well as species listed (or proposed) by the U.S. Animals that are released may harm or be harmed by resident animals (e.g., by territorial disputes, disease transmission, gene-pool disruptions, etc.). Cage traps can be purchased from hardware stores, farm supply centers, and over the Internet (search for "Live Traps" and "Cage Traps"). Point the opening of the trap toward escape cover, so the animal can see and move toward it. or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Providing evidence of the individual being employed in the wildlife abatement field for a minimum of two (2) years, Providing a written statement verifying the individual is currently working with a certified WCO and has done so for a minimum of two years, OR. The mountain beaver will search for an opening to go through and enter the trap. In addition, most are not available to, or do not appeal to, the do-it-yourselfer. Tainted meat, eggs placed in a nest, marshmallows, cotton balls (they resemble eggs and have eye appeal). Usually observed at night, they are occasionally seen during the day eating or napping in a tree or searching elsewhere for food. It is best to use a larger trap than used on rabbits. Corn, carrot greens, sweet apples, cattail roots. 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. Sift dirt onto the bottom of the cage to cover the wire bottom. It isnt fair to the animals already living there to release another competitor into their home range. Living with wildlife: Moles Figure 1. The information on this page deals only with the use of cage traps used to capture mammals. Reverse this procedure when attempting to capture a diurnal (active during daylight) animal. Place the trap along an active trail or where nutria are seen. A WCO may not harass, control, or kill the following classified game animals: black bear, cougar, moose, deer, or elk. Like squirrels, raccoons can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees and descend trees headfirst. A trap placed on a floating raft will effectively catch nutria, but pre-baiting is necessary. Trapping and relocating a raccoon several miles away seems an appealing method of resolving a conflict because it is perceived as giving the problem animal a second chance in a new home. Main reception for WDFW is (360) 902-2200 Licensing questions can be directed to the Licensing Division or you may call (360) 902-2464 or email at licensing@dfw.wa.gov. When used properly, cage traps can offer non-lethal solutions to conflicts. 12 x 12 x 36 in., When locating the trap, consider the possibility of young children approaching the trapped animal, theft of the trap, or damage to the trap by vandals.If setting a trap on concrete or another hard surface, place the trap on plywood or some other protective surface to prevent the animal from damaging its paws when trying to dig its way out. 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. 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. 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. Prevent raccoons from entering pet doors:Keep indoor pet food and any other food away from a pet door. It allows hunting for all classified wild animals, wild birds, and unclassified wildlife. All WCOs are responsible for knowing the expiration date of their Certificate and applying to WDFW for renewal (email. (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. When an animal is captured, move the trap to a quiet, protected spot and cover it with a tarp until time of release or euthanasia. It costs $35 for residents, $165 for non-residents, $15 for youth. The trap should be thoroughly concealed with a tarp or other material, and extra precautions need to be taken to eliminate human scent from the area of the trap. Look for tracks in sand, mud, or soft soil, also on deck railings, fire escapes, and other surfaces that raccoons use to gain access to structures. Signs of raccoon predation include the birds heads bitten off and left some distance away, only the birds crop being eaten, stuck birds pulled half-way through a fence, and nests in severe disarray. Trapped animals expend energy that is normally used to cope with winter conditions and they may die soon after. Raccoons also eat insects, slugs, dead animals, birds and bird eggs, as well as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Providing a letter of recommendation from a currently certified WCO or trapper stating the individual has two years experience. 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. Habitat conditions in the new area might not be suited to the animal being released. (If washing raccoon droppings from a roof, watch where the liquid matter is going.) Shooting is considered too hazardous in more populated areas, even if legal. Special Trapping Permit (STP) A permit that may be issued by WDFW, upon receipt of a complete and valid application that allows for the use of a specific body-gripping trap to capture a damage-causing wild animal. Often their solution to a conflict will involve setting several cage traps to make sure the entire family of animals is caughtor as many as possible at one time. Orphaned wildlife must be cared for by licensed professionals. Placing guide logs on either side of the path between the burrow opening and the trap will help funnel the animal into the trap. A WCO or property owner can obtain the current application for a STP by searching for Special Trapping Permit on the WDFW website (http://wdfw.wa.gov). If it is to be released on site, be ready to make all necessary construction repairs to ensure that the animal will not reenter the structure after being released. 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. Then, if someone else has to trap the animal, they will be dealing with a trap-smart animal, making its capture difficult. Individuals will eat together if a large amount of food is available in an area. For Douglas squirrels, see above. Fish Program may be contacted at fishpgm@dfw.wa.gov. Sharp, nonretractable claws and long digits make raccoons good climbers. Fence orchards and vegetable gardens:Raccoons can easily climb wood or wire fences, or bypass them by using overhanging limbs of trees or shrubs. Check yourlocal firearm ordinances). Understand the Washington Rules, called Washington Administrative Codes (WAC), which pertain to the wildlife work performed by WCOs. Twenty-four-inch long aluminum or galvanized vent-pipe, available at most hardware stores, can serve as a premade barrier around a narrow support. In such cases, no permit is necessary for the use of live (cage) traps. House cats have similar habits. Measurements represent minimum height, width, and length requirements. Note:Other killers of poultry include coyotes, foxes, skunks, feral cats, dogs, bobcats, opossums, weasels, eagles, hawks, owls, other poultry, and disease. The only three traps that may be authorized with this permit are a 1) Conibear-type trap submerged in water, 2) padded leg-hold trap, or 3) non-strangling foot snare. See Step 4 below for information on how to handle the dead animal. longer if a double-door trap is used. FBI Director Wray. Single- or double-door type, 5 x 5 x 16 in. While shooting can be effective in eliminating a single raccoon, it is generally limited to rural situations. Change the trap location or try different bait if it doesn't produce a catch within three days. To capture hares (jackrabbits) in open terrain, use a double-door trap with weighted doors to prevent escape. The best prevention against canine distemper is to have your dogs vaccinated and kept away from raccoons. Be "on call" the entire time a trap is set. Wrap it in paper towels and a baggie to muffle the volume. Raccoon roundworm does not usually cause a serious problem for raccoons. Set the trap near an active burrow with signs of recent diggings. Please see the definitions for Body-gripping Trap and STP at the beginning of this module. 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). Males have weighed in at over 60 pounds. Tracks may appear as smudge marks on the side of a house where a raccoon shimmies up and down a downspout or utility pipe. Not have within the last three (3) years more than one finding of paid or committed as a final disposition for an infraction under RCW 77.15 or a conviction for a fish and wildlife crime under RCW 77.15. Overlap and securely wire all seams on top to prevent raccoons from forcing their way in by using their weight and claws. Around humans, raccoons often eat garbage and pet food. To be eligible for WCO certification, applicants must: A Washington WCO Certificate allows a WCO to do the following: As a practice, whenever you have a question about a specific species or use of a specific trap, please refer to the WDFW website, call your regional WDFW office, call the Wildlife Customer Service desk in Olympia at (360) 902-2515, or email specialtrapping@dfw.wa.gov. The release of elk, bear, and other wildlife by professional wildlife managers to reintroduce or augment populations is a proven and valid technique for wildlife management. However, a special trapping permit is required for the use of all traps other than live traps (RCW 77.15.192,77.15.194). 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 . 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