Nuisance wildlife is wildlife that...
- causes (or is about to cause) property damage,
- presents a threat to public safety, or
- causes an annoyance within, under or upon a building.
Before removing an animal, please visit our Wildlife
Assistance website for help in understanding the laws
protecting wildlife and your options for resolving the
problem. Anyone transporting or possessing live venomous
reptiles is required to have a captive wildlife permit.
A FWC permit is required for take of any
state listed
species or any bird species protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
Specific permit requirements are explained
below.
Gun/Light at Night Permit
This permit authorizes a landowner or their
designee to take depredating wildlife (armadillo, beaver, bobcat,
coyote, fox, possum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, or hog) at night with
a gun and light. Under special restrictions, authorizes harassment
(scaring) deer causing damage to crops with a gun and light at
night.
Depredating Deer Permit
This permit authorizes the killing of deer that are causing
extreme damage to a crop where a Gun and Light at Night Permit is not
eliminating the depredation or is not feasible. Contact your
local FWC regional office to request a
Depredating Deer permit for temporary relief.
Steel Trap Permit
This permit
authorizes the holder to use padded jaw steel traps for the purpose
of taking destructive coyotes, fox, bobcats, beaver, and otter.
Protected Wildife Permit
Protected fish and wildlife include those species
listed as endangered, threatened or species of special
concern. Also included are
migratory birds and other species protected by FWC rules.
FWC rules prohibit activities that may have a negative effect on
protected fish and wildlife without a permit.
Mallard Control Permit
This permit authorizes a person in
possession of a copy of the Federal permit to lethally control and
trap feral mallards from May 1 through August 31 annually and to
destroy nests and eggs of feral mallards year-round. This is not a
hunting license.
Canada Goose Depredation Permit
This permit authorizes
landowners (and their employees and agents) to take birds and nests
to reduce depredation to commercial agricultural operations. It is
the permit holder's responsibility to understand and adhere to all
provisions set forth in the permit.
Wild Hog Trappers and Feral Swine Dealers
Hunting and trapping feral swine is not only a
popular sport in Florida but a useful tool in man's attempt to
control feral populations on private and state lands. Nuisance wildlife
trappers that want to shoot or trap feral swine on private
lands do not need 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. Read more
at:
Feral Swine Dealer Identification Cards for
Intrastate Movement 
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
Website: www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/.
Nuisance Wildlife Trappers - Businesses
The 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 Python
Trappers
Persons with Disabilities