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Is It Legal to Kill a Raccoon in Florida? (2026)
Is it legal to kill a raccoon in Florida? Yes — under specific rules. Here's what FWC law says about hunting, trapping, poisons, and nuisance raccoons
Yes, it is legal to kill a raccoon in Florida — but only under specific circumstances and with the right licenses or permits.
Florida doesn't give property owners a blanket right to shoot or trap raccoons whenever they want. Raccoons are classified as furbearing animals under Florida law, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) sets firm rules on how, when, and by whom they can be killed or removed.
Get it wrong and you could face fines or wildlife violation charges. Get it right and you have real legal options for protecting your property.
This guide covers exactly what Florida law allows in 2026.
Key Takeaways
Killing raccoons is legal in Florida under specific conditions. Hunting season, nuisance permits, and property protection rules all create lawful pathways.
Raccoons are classified as furbearing animals by FWC. They are not endangered, but they are regulated and cannot be killed freely without cause or license.
A hunting license is required to hunt raccoons. No license, no legal kill — even on your own private property in most cases.
Trapping raccoons is legal year-round with no bag limits. But trap type matters — steel leg-hold traps and dog-proof traps are prohibited without FWC authorization.
Poisons are illegal without a permit. Using poison to kill raccoons without FWC authorization is a wildlife violation.
Nuisance raccoons on your property can be killed. But specific rules and often a permit apply depending on the method used.
Relocating live raccoons is restricted. It is illegal to transport live wild-caught raccoons within, into, or from Florida without FWC authorization.
How Florida classifies raccoons
Raccoons in Florida are classified as furbearing animals under Florida Administrative Code. This means they fall under FWC wildlife regulations, even though they are not listed as endangered or threatened.
This classification matters because it means:
You cannot kill a raccoon at will, even on your own property
Hunting raccoons requires a valid Florida hunting license
Trapping raccoons for commercial purposes requires a furbearer trapping license
Certain methods of killing are prohibited entirely without FWC authorization
Raccoons are also classified as Class III wildlife in Florida, which covers native species that are neither particularly dangerous nor protected at the highest level. This is relevant if you're thinking about keeping one as a pet — not just removing one from your yard.
When is it legal to kill a raccoon in Florida?
There are three main legal scenarios where killing a raccoon in Florida is permitted.
1. During hunting season
Raccoon hunting is legal in Florida during the open furbearer season. The 2025-26 season runs from October through February, though exact dates can vary. A valid Florida hunting license is required.
Key rules for hunting raccoons in Florida:
Raccoons and opossums may be taken by gun during daytime and nighttime hours
Night hunting is allowed, but only using .22-caliber rimfire firearms (not .22 magnums) or single-shot .410-gauge shotguns with shot no larger than size 6
Hunting raccoons using lights from moving vehicles, vessels, or animals is prohibited
Air guns are permitted for taking raccoons
On private lands with landowner permission and a valid license, raccoons may be harvested with no closed season and no bag limits — treating them similarly to invasive nuisance species.
2. As nuisance wildlife on your property
If a raccoon is causing damage to crops, property, or livestock, Florida law provides additional options outside of standard hunting season.
The FWC issues a Gun and Light at Night Permit that authorizes a landowner or their designee to take depredating wildlife — including raccoons — at night with a gun and light. This permit is free but requires a hunting license. It does not supersede local gun laws or court injunctions.
You do not need this permit for daytime removal during hunting season with a valid license.
3. Trapping (year-round)
Raccoons may be trapped statewide year-round with no bag limits. However, trap type is strictly regulated.
Legal traps for raccoons:
Live traps
Snares (including power snares)
Prohibited without FWC authorization:
Steel leg-hold traps
Dog-proof raccoon traps
Body-grip (conibear) traps
Live traps and snares must be checked every 24 hours by law. A furbearer trapping license is required if you are trapping for commercial purposes or selling pelts.
Is it legal to poison raccoons in Florida?
No. Using poison to kill raccoons is illegal in Florida without a specific FWC permit.
Body-gripping traps and poisons may only be used under FWC authorization. A permit may be granted in exceptional cases — such as scientific research or situations where poisoning is the only feasible control method — but this is not a routine permission granted to homeowners.
Do not use poison to deal with a raccoon problem. It is a wildlife violation and can also harm pets, other wildlife, and children.
Can you shoot a raccoon on your property in Florida?
This depends on the situation.
If it is hunting season and you have a valid Florida hunting license, you can shoot a raccoon on your private property. Outside of hunting season, shooting a raccoon requires a specific justification and often a permit.
Scenarios where shooting may be legal:
During open hunting season with a valid license
With a Gun and Light at Night Permit for crop/livestock depredation
With a nuisance wildlife depredation permit issued by FWC
Scenarios where shooting is not straightforwardly legal:
Outside hunting season without a permit
In a residential neighborhood where local firearm discharge ordinances apply
Using prohibited firearms for nighttime hunting (e.g., .22 magnum, semi-automatic rifle at night)
Always check local municipal or county ordinances. Even if FWC rules allow a firearm, your city or county may prohibit discharging weapons in residential areas.
Can you relocate a raccoon in Florida?
Trapping and relocating raccoons is more restricted than most people think.
It is illegal to transport live wild-caught raccoons within, into, or from the state of Florida without FWC authorization. This means you generally cannot trap a raccoon and release it somewhere else — doing so is a wildlife violation.
If you trap a raccoon, the legal options are:
Release it on the same property where it was trapped
Euthanize it using a legal method
Contact a licensed wildlife control operator who can handle it legally
This rule exists primarily to prevent the spread of rabies and other wildlife diseases. Raccoons in Florida have a high rate of rabies exposure, and moving them between locations creates public health risk.
What methods are prohibited?
To summarize what you cannot do legally when dealing with raccoons in Florida:
Method | Legal Status |
Poison | Illegal without FWC permit |
Steel leg-hold traps | Illegal without FWC authorization |
Dog-proof raccoon traps | Illegal without FWC authorization |
Body-grip (conibear) traps | Illegal without FWC authorization |
Hunting with lights from a moving vehicle | Illegal |
Night hunting with .22 magnum | Illegal |
Transporting live raccoons to another location | Illegal without FWC authorization |
Feeding raccoons to create a public nuisance | Illegal under FWC rules |
When should you call a professional?
If you are dealing with raccoons in your attic, crawl space, or yard repeatedly, the safest and most legally straightforward option is hiring a licensed wildlife control operator.
Licensed operators in Florida can:
Legally trap and remove raccoons under their own permits
Use FWC-authorized equipment you cannot use yourself
Handle disposal or euthanasia legally
Seal entry points to prevent re-entry
Look for operators licensed by the FWC and insured. Unlicensed removal services operate outside the law and leave you with no recourse if something goes wrong.
Raccoons and rabies in Florida
Raccoons are one of the most common carriers of rabies in Florida. This is relevant not just for health reasons but for legal ones.
If a raccoon is behaving erratically, approaching humans, active in daylight, or showing signs of illness, contact your county animal control or the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922. A rabid or injured animal may be handled differently under Florida law than a healthy nuisance animal.
Do not handle a raccoon you suspect is rabid. Report it and let authorities respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to kill a raccoon in Florida?
Yes, under specific conditions. You may kill raccoons legally during hunting season with a valid Florida hunting license, or under a nuisance wildlife permit from the FWC if raccoons are causing property or livestock damage.
Do you need a license to kill raccoons in Florida?
Yes. A Florida hunting license is required to hunt raccoons. If you are trapping for commercial purposes or selling pelts, a furbearer trapping license is also required.
Can you shoot a raccoon on your property in Florida?
During hunting season with a valid license, yes. Outside hunting season, you generally need a nuisance wildlife permit from FWC. Local ordinances on firearm discharge in residential areas also apply.
Is it illegal to trap and relocate raccoons in Florida?
Yes. Transporting live wild-caught raccoons within, into, or from Florida is illegal without FWC authorization. Raccoons trapped on your property must be released on-site or euthanized.
Can you use poison to kill raccoons in Florida?
No. Using poison to kill raccoons is illegal in Florida without a specific FWC permit. It is a wildlife violation and poses serious risks to pets and other wildlife.
What traps are legal for raccoons in Florida?
Live traps and snares (including power snares) are legal. Steel leg-hold traps, dog-proof raccoon traps, and body-grip traps are prohibited without FWC authorization. All traps must be checked every 24 hours.
Who do I call about a nuisance raccoon in Florida?
Contact the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922, your county animal control office, or a licensed wildlife control operator. For a potentially rabid animal, contact animal control immediately.
Florida gives property owners real legal options for dealing with raccoons, but those options come with specific rules around licenses, trap types, timing, and methods. When in doubt, call a licensed wildlife control operator or contact the FWC directly. Acting outside those rules — even with good intentions — can result in fines and wildlife violations.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Wildlife regulations are subject to change. Always verify current rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at myfwc.com before taking action. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
