 | ||||||||||||||||
  |
| |||||||||||||||
Nuisance Wildlife Permits | ||||||
Nuisance WildlifeNuisance wildlife is wildlife that...
Who can take nuisance wildlife? Any person owning property may take nuisance wildlife on their property or they may authorize another person to take nuisance wildlife on their behalf. Persons responsible for government owned property are considered “property owners”. Nuisance wildlife trappers and property owners who have problems with animals are responsible for complying with the many laws that protect animals. Before removing an animal, please seek assistance in understanding these laws and your options for resolving the problem. You may want to have another individual take the nuisance animals for you. FWC does not license nuisance wildlife trappers, but does allow them to advertize their services on our web site. Consult the FWC's list of Nuisance Wildlife Trappers that Operate in Your County. Most trappers will charge a fee for their services. Nuisance wildlife trappers do not need to notify or obtain FWC authorization to take most destructive or nuisance wildlife from private property. All a nuisances wildlife trapper needs to take nuisance wildlife outdoors is the consent of the property owner. Likewise, property owners may take most nuisance wildlife on their own land without notifying or obtaining FWC authorization. Nuisance wildlife trappers attempting to trap in or under a structure should see “Nuisance Wildlife Trappers – Businesses” below. Are their wildlife that cannot be taken? Bobcats may be taken as nuisance wildlife only when the bobcat is causing or about to cause property damage, or when a bobcat is a threat to public safety. The taking of nuisance alligators; deer; bears; bats, most migratory birds, their nests or eggs; turkeys; bobwhite quail; or state-listed or federally listed species of special concern, threatened or endangered species is prohibited or may require additional permits. Additionally, anyone possessing or transporting live venomous reptiles or live reptiles of concern is required to have a License to Possess or Exhibit Venomous Reptiles and/or Reptiles of Concern. To report a nuisance alligator, call 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Permits for taking deer causing damage to commercial crops are available from FWC Regional offices. How can nuisance wildlife be taken? Nuisance wildlife may be taken using live traps or snares, or, where allowed, firearms during daylight hours. All traps and snares must be inspected at least once every 24 hours. The discharge of a firearm is prohibited in most cities and residential areas, check with local law enforcement. BB guns and pellet rifles are not allowed for taking wildlife. A permit issued by the FWC regional offices is required to use steel traps to take destructive mammals (excluding species prohibited by the FWC). A Gun and Light at Night Permit and a hunting license are required to use a firearm and a light at night to remove nuisance armadillo, beaver, bobcat, coyote, fox, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, or hog causing destruction of crops and/or livestock. What do I do with a nuisance animal after it is caught? Live-captured nuisance wildlife must be released legally or euthanized humanely within 24 hours of capture or trap inspection. Any non-target wildlife should be released immediately at the capture site. Unless prohibited by rabies alert or quarantine issued by County Health Department or County Animal Control, live captured nuisance wildlife may be transported only for the purpose of euthanasia or for legal release, Euthanasia guidelines can be found on the Report of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia. Only native species of wildlife may be released. Armadillos, coyotes and muscovy ducks are not native wildlife. Native nuisance wildlife may be released on the property of the landowner where captured provided the release site and capture site are located on one contiguous piece of property. Native nuisance wildlife may be released off the capture site if the release site is a minimum of 40 contiguous acres, located in the same county as the capture site, and the person releasing the nuisance wildlife has in their possession written permission from the landowner of the release site allowing release on their property. Nuisance wildlife may not be released on federal, state, county, local or private lands without written permission of the landowner. Feral hog trappers should see information below. Where and how is a carcass disposed? To dispose of carcasses, please keep these precautions in mind and follow these instructions. When handling dead birds or other wildlife, work outdoors and try to stay upwind of the carcass. When bagging the carcass, keep the open end of the bag away from your face. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling carcasses. Do not store carcasses in a cooler, freezer, or refrigerator used for human or animal food, and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Wash any clothing that comes into contact with the carcass with normal household detergent at normal temperatures. Disposal of dead animals: open up two heavy plastic trash bags. Avoid touching the carcass with your bare hands. Pick up the carcass using disposable gloves or plastic bags worn on your hands. Place the carcass in the first heavy plastic trash bag. Keep the open end of the bag pointed away from your face while tying securely. Next remove gloves or plastic bags from your hands by turning them inside out. Dispose of the gloves or plastic bags in the second heavy trash bag and place the first bag (containing the carcass) in the second bag, as well. Tie the second bag securely and place it in the garbage. If there are many carcasses to be disposed of, please first speak with your local waste management facility. Where can I buy traps and supplies? Many feed or home improvement stores will sell or rent animal traps. Some Animal Control offices will also lease traps for domestic animals. Nuisance Wildlife Trappers - BusinessesThe FWC does not license nuisance wildlife trappers. Nuisance wildlife trappers may voluntarily register to have their name and contact information added to the Wildlife Trapper List. Persons contacting FWC looking for help with nuisance wildlife are directed to the wildlife trapper list. Nuisance wildlife trappers (businesses) who want to remove mice, rats, squirrels, bats or pest birds should contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS) before doing that type of work. Trappers do not need a DOACS license to remove other nuisance wildlife outdoors such as bobcats, foxes, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, snakes, etc. For information about DOACS regulations or certification and licensing of pest control companies, visit the Division of Agriculture and Environmental Services (AES) website at www.flaes.org/ or contact the DOACS Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control at 850-921-4177. Nuisance alligator trappers The Commission contracts with private individuals (nuisance alligator trappers) to remove specific nuisance alligators. Only a licensed nuisance alligator trapper may capture or remove an alligator. Call 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) to report a nuisance alligator. Wild Hog Trappers Nuisance wildlife trappers that want to shoot or trap feral swine on private lands do not need to notify or obtain FWC authorization. Permission of the landowner is all that is required. Shooting is restricted to locations where legal and only during day light hours. Individuals trapping and transporting live feral swine in Florida must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS) as a Feral Swine Dealer (FSD). The registered FSD will receive an identification card that must be carried when moving feral swine. This permit is not required to transport dead hogs. Feral Swine Dealer Information location: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/pdf/Feral Swine Web Page.pdf If you have additional questions, please contact: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 407 South Calhoun Street, Room 331 Mayo Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0800 (850)410-0900. www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/ | ||||||
| ||||||
Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
|
|
