Destructive Wildlife - Gun and Light at Night Permit

Purpose

The Gun and Light at Night Permit allows farmers, ranchers and others to use a gun and light at night to take (kill) certain wildlife that are causing damage to crops and/or livestock on land that they own or with the written permission of the landowner.

Wild hog, coyote, armadillo, black or Norway rat, and house mouse, may be taken with a gun and light during non-daylight hours without a permit.

This permit allows...

  1. The permit holder and assistants to use a gun and light at night to take (kill) certain wildlife that are causing destruction of crops and/or livestock.
  2. The landowner - or the permit holder with written permission of the landowner - to take certain wildlife with a gun and light at night on their land.
  3. To take certain wildlife that are causing damage only in the immediate area where the damage to crops and/or livestock is taking place.
  4. The taking (killing) of the selected wildlife causing damage: beaver, bobcat, fox, possum, rabbit, raccoon, or skunk.
  5. Under special restrictions, deer causing damage to crops can be harassed (scared) with a gun and light at night under this permit when authorized.
  6. Both the permit and written permission of the landowner, if applicable, must accompany each person while using a gun and light at night under the terms of the permit.
  7. In many cases the method of taking the wildlife causing damage under this permit is limited to using a rimfire rifle.
  8. Before engaging in the permitted activities you must call 1-888-404-3922 to inform the Commission of the date and time of the planned permitted activity.

This permit does NOT allow...

  1. The discharge of firearms in areas not allowed by state law or court injunctions/orders.
  2. The possession of firearms by individuals not allowed by state law or court injunctions/orders.
  3. Anyone without a valid hunting license to engage in the permitted activities unless exempt from license requirements.
  4. A fee to be charged to anyone to participate in the permitted activities.
  5. The sale of any wildlife or parts of wildlife taken under this permit.
  6. The taking of wildlife:
    1. not listed on the permit,
    2. not on the property listed on the permit, or
    3. away from the immediate area where the damage to crops and/or livestock is taking place.
  7. The permit holder to be under the age of 18.

To apply for this permit, you will need...

  1. Name, date of birth and driver's license or state identification number of the permit holder.
  2. Address and contact telephone number of the permit holder and landowner.
  3. The location of the property, including the Parcel ID. You will find the Parcel ID on your property tax bill; or it is available from your County Property Appraiser's Office.

How to apply for this permit

  1. Click on the "Apply for Gun & Light Permit" button below.
  2. This will take you to a login screen. If you have not applied for an FWC permit before, click on "Register." Enter the requested information and create your username and password.
  3. Enter your username and password.
  4. Enter the requested information.

Apply for Gun & Light Permit

Top of page



FWC Facts:
A cockroach will live nine days without its head, before it starves to death.

Learn More at AskFWC