Home/DIY: What Is Legal

Can You Remove Nuisance Wildlife Yourself in Louisiana?

LDWF's own advice is that you do not always need a professional. Here is what Louisiana lets a homeowner do alone, what it does not, and the safety steps that matter if you try.

What animals can I remove without a permit?

LDWF says homeowners can live trap and release an animal themselves, and points to Louisiana Administrative Code Title 76 for the rules on doing that without a permit. However, there are specific exceptions. NWCOs are permitted to handle most species except deer, bears, migratory birds, and alligators. Those four go through other routes: alligators, for example, are handled by LDWF-licensed nuisance alligator hunters.

There are also specific rules for "outlaw quadrupeds," which include feral hogs, coyotes, and armadillos. Licensed hunters may take these animals year-round during legal shooting hours. Landowners or their designees may also take these animals at night on private property, but they must follow additional regulations, such as notifying the sheriff’s office of the parish in which the property is located 24 hours in advance. Similarly, nutrias and beavers causing damage to your property may be removed by landowners or their designees during daylight hours without a special permit.

What situations require a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator?

For an animal in the attic, under the house or in the walls, most people end up calling a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator. There are more than 100 permitted NWCOs located across the state. These operators are not employees of LDWF or the State of Louisiana; they are private individuals who have obtained a permit to work.

To become a NWCO, an individual must possess a valid Louisiana trapping license and a valid Louisiana basic hunting license. They must also be at least 18 years of age and achieve a minimum score of 80 percent on the LDWF NWCO examination. The examination covers wildlife biology and behavior, nuisance animal control methods, and relevant laws and regulations. Permits are renewed every year, renewal needs annual reporting and a felony background check, so it is worth asking to see a current one.

What are the rules for live trapping and releasing?

If you choose to live trap an animal yourself, you must adhere to specific guidelines to ensure the safety of both the animal and yourself. LDWF advises that it is often easier to get an animal into a trap than to get one out, so extreme caution is required. You should wear heavy leather gloves when handling trapped animals. When releasing the animal, always stand behind the trap and point the open end toward a clear area.

LDWF advises releasing trapped animals at least five miles from where they were trapped to prevent their return. Additionally, you should avoid trapping in the spring and early summer, which are breeding seasons for most wildlife. Removing adult animals during these months may result in orphaning young animals, which could die if left in an attic or under a house, leading to decay and additional issues. LDWF does not loan or rent traps, but they are available from some parish animal control offices or can be purchased at hardware stores and lawn and garden centers.

How do I handle rabies risks and bites?

Rabies is a serious concern when dealing with certain mammals. LDWF notes that certain mammals, including bats and skunks, may be infected with rabies and can transmit it to humans. Rabies is fatal to humans if not treated before symptoms develop. If you are bitten by a trapped animal, do not release the animal if it hasn’t already been released. You should contact the state public health veterinarian at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) for instructions on having the animal tested for rabies and contact your doctor.

If you have already released the animal and cannot immediately recapture it, you should still contact the state public health veterinarian and your doctor. Animals that appear healthy may still be sick, so do not rely on visual inspection to determine health status.

How can I prevent wildlife from entering my home?

LDWF recommends making sure there is no food for wildlife available around your home. Never feed wild animals, do not leave pet food out at night, and secure trash can lids and compost heaps. You should also eliminate areas that can possibly be used by wildlife as shelter.

Seal any holes that may give wildlife access to your attic or the interior of your home. Some species of bats can fit through holes the size of a dime, so thorough sealing is important. Keeping your home well-maintained is imperative for keeping nuisance animals out. For mobile homes, install skirting to prevent animals from going underneath, and use chicken wire or lattice under raised houses. Keeping grass mowed eliminates cover for wildlife, and eliminating piles of wood or debris removes potential shelter.

Questions people ask

Does LDWF remove nuisance wildlife for free?

No. LDWF does not remove nuisance wildlife. Instead, it permits individuals, known as Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators, to provide these services for a fee.

How far away should I release a trapped animal?

LDWF advises releasing trapped animals at least five miles from where they were trapped to prevent their return.

What license do I need to become a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator?

You must possess a valid Louisiana trapping license and a valid Louisiana basic hunting license. If controlling non-protected reptile and/or amphibian species, you must also possess a valid Louisiana Basic Fishing license.

Can I sell a beaver I trapped on my property?

You may not sell any nuisance beaver or nutria trapped or shot outside open trapping season. You must have an LDWF trapping license to sell or pelt nuisance beavers or nutrias taken during open trapping season.