Wildlife Removal Laws in Tennessee: What Property Owners Need to Know
May 12, 2026
A raccoon tears through your attic insulation, a skunk takes up residence under your deck, or a groundhog tunnels through your garden — and your first instinct is to deal with it yourself. Before you grab a trap or call the first pest control company you find, you need to understand that Tennessee has a specific legal framework governing exactly what you can and cannot do when it comes to wildlife removal.
Getting this wrong does not just mean an unsuccessful removal. It can mean criminal charges, significant fines, and a revoked permit if you are a professional. This guide breaks down the wildlife removal laws in Tennessee section by section so you know your rights, your limits, and your next steps.
Can You Remove Wildlife Yourself in Tennessee?
The short answer is yes — but only under specific conditions and only for certain species. As a landowner or tenant, you can legally capture some species of nuisance wildlife without a permit if the animal is discovered to be causing damage. That qualifier matters: the animal must actually be causing damage to your property, not simply passing through your yard.
The legal authority for this comes directly from state statute. Tennessee Code Annotated 70-4-115 states in part that the owner of lands may destroy any wild animals, wild birds, or wild fowl when such wild animals, wild birds, or wild fowl are destroying property upon such lands. However, this right is not unlimited.
Important Note: The right to remove wildlife yourself applies only when the animal is actively causing property damage. Simply not wanting wildlife on your land does not give you legal authority to trap or kill it without a permit.
Because of the large number of human-animal interactions, the TWRA cannot assist landowners with capturing nuisance wildlife. Wildlife Officers typically do not trap or remove nuisance wildlife but will provide technical assistance to landowners. In other words, do not expect the state to send someone out to handle the problem for you — the responsibility falls on you to act within the law or hire a permitted professional.
One important seasonal caution: once an animal is captured, you must release or euthanize the animal on your property. Be careful capturing animals in the spring, as young animals may be involved. Capturing a mother animal and leaving dependent young behind creates both a welfare problem and potential legal exposure. You can learn more about how Tennessee regulates other human-animal interactions in the state’s hunting laws in Tennessee.
Which Animals Can Be Removed Without a Permit in Tennessee?
Tennessee law distinguishes between species that are protected and those that are not. The following species are not protected by law because they are non-native invasive populations with the potential to damage property, pose a human health risk, and have detrimental effects on native wildlife. These unprotected, non-native species — such as European starlings, English house sparrows, and feral pigeons — can generally be removed without a permit.
For native nuisance species that commonly cause property damage, landowners have more limited self-help options. Raccoons, opossums, coyotes, foxes, and skunks thrive in the urban environment and are among the most common nuisance complaints in Tennessee. As a property owner, you may trap these animals without a permit when they are actively damaging your property, but what you do with them afterward is tightly regulated (see the relocation section below).
| Animal | Permit Required to Trap? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | No (if causing damage) | Relocation requires WCTR permit |
| Opossum | No (if causing damage) | Must release or euthanize on-site |
| Skunk | No (if causing damage) | Unlawful importation is a misdemeanor |
| Coyote | No (if causing damage) | Check local ordinances for lethal methods |
| Fox | No (if causing damage) | Unlawful importation is a misdemeanor |
| Deer, Bear, Wild Turkey | Yes — always | Big game; TWRA officer permit required |
| Migratory birds | Federal permit required | Protected under Migratory Bird Treaty Act |
| Bats | Yes — ADC permit + TWRA approval | Exclusion requires pre-approval |
| Non-native invasive species | No | Not protected by state law |
Big game is a category where you have essentially no self-help authority. Any person, before destroying any big game under the conditions provided for in this section, is required to obtain a permit for destroying such big game. Such permit shall be issued by an officer of the wildlife resources agency. Big game is defined as deer, wild turkey, and bear.
Pro Tip: If you are unsure whether a species on your property is protected, contact the TWRA at Ask.TWRA@tn.gov or 615-781-6500 before taking any action. Misidentifying a protected species and removing it without authorization can result in criminal charges.
Which Animals Require a Licensed Wildlife Removal Professional in Tennessee?
Certain animals in Tennessee fall under protections that make DIY removal not just impractical, but illegal. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) serves as the primary authority for wildlife management and protection throughout the state. Operating under Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 70, TWRA develops and enforces regulations designed to conserve wildlife populations while balancing human needs.
The clearest example is bats. In the case of bats, TWRA requires that the operator obtain approval prior to any exclusion work. The information required consists of species, number, and if any young are present. This is a simple task of counting (estimating) the bats. You cannot simply seal up a bat colony in your attic without professional involvement and prior TWRA approval — doing so is illegal and can result in the death of protected animals.
Timing restrictions for certain species, like bats during maternity season, require professional understanding of wildlife biology and legal requirements. Bat maternity season typically runs from May through August, during which exclusion work is prohibited to prevent entrapment of flightless young.
Beyond bats, any situation involving the following categories of animals requires a licensed Animal Damage Control (ADC) operator:
- State or federally threatened and endangered species
- Migratory birds protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (hawks, owls, songbirds, waterfowl)
- Bears, deer, and wild turkey when lethal removal is necessary
- Any situation where the removal method itself poses a risk to non-target species
The taking, killing, and/or illegal possession of hawks, owls, songbirds, endangered species, or any other species for which a season is not set is prohibited. This means that even if a hawk is raiding your chicken coop, you cannot legally trap or kill it without a federal depredation permit — a process that requires working through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Wildlife control professionals have training in animal behavior, safe handling techniques, and proper equipment use. This expertise reduces risks to both humans and animals during removal operations. For animals like those with claws — including raccoons, opossums, and foxes — professional handling also reduces your personal injury risk significantly. For broader context on how wildlife is classified and regulated at the federal level, see United States laws on exotic pets.
Trapping Rules and Legal Methods in Tennessee
If you are trapping nuisance wildlife yourself, Tennessee law imposes specific rules on how that trapping must be conducted. You may purchase a live box trap at most garden supply or home improvement stores. Live cage traps are the standard tool for property owners dealing with smaller nuisance animals like raccoons, opossums, and squirrels.
For licensed professionals using foothold or body-grip traps, the TWRA sets specific size and placement requirements. Steel foothold traps used for water sets must have an exterior jaw measurement of nine inches or less measured at the hinge of the trap. Steel foothold traps used for ground sets must have an exterior jaw measurement of seven inches or less measured at the hinge of the trap.
Key Insight: Tennessee requires written landowner permission to trap on private property. State wildlife laws require hunters and trappers to obtain permission from landowners to hunt or trap on private property. It is advisable to get written permission to hunt and is required to trap.
ADC permit holders operating professionally face additional trap management obligations. Animal Damage Control operators are mandated by law to check each trap within 36 hours. Leaving a trapped animal unattended beyond this window is a violation. Additionally, all traps, cages, and other tools left unattended by the permit holder must be clearly marked with the permit holder’s name, address, and permit number.
Certain methods are categorically prohibited regardless of who is performing the removal. No permit holder may use control methods which may pose a threat to the health and safety of humans, domestic animals, or other non-target wildlife. This rules out poisons, fumigants not approved for wildlife use, and any trapping method that indiscriminately captures non-target animals. For a broader look at how wildlife organizations advocate for humane removal standards, that resource provides useful context.
Can You Relocate Wildlife in Tennessee?
This is one of the most misunderstood areas of Tennessee wildlife law. Many property owners assume that catching an animal in a live trap and releasing it somewhere else is a harmless, legal option. In Tennessee, it is not that simple.
Before any person in the State of Tennessee may capture, transport, and release any live wildlife species within the state, he or she must first obtain a Wildlife Capture, Transport and Release (WCTR) Permit, except as otherwise provided, from the Executive Director of the Wildlife Resources Agency.
The WCTR permit system is also limited in scope. The term “wildlife,” for the purpose of these regulations, is defined as red fox, gray fox, raccoon, and bobwhite quail. These are the only species that may be captured, transported, and released pursuant to the WCTR Permit. This means that for most other species, relocation by a private individual — even with a permit — is simply not an authorized option.
Geographic restrictions apply even when relocation is permitted. Wildlife captured, transported, and released must be released only in the same county or adjacent county where captured. You cannot legally drive a trapped raccoon to a distant wildlife area in another part of the state and release it there.
The release of wildlife, captured under the provisions of this rule, onto private wildlife preserves is specifically prohibited. This closes a loophole that might otherwise allow landowners to dump nuisance animals onto managed private land.
If you trap a live animal and are not sure what to do next, the TWRA provides a clear path forward. If you trap a live wild animal, you may contact any of the Animal Damage Control permit holders. This is NOT a free service. TWRA recommends you contact several permit holders for estimates before hiring. The Wildlife Conservation Society and Defenders of Wildlife also offer educational resources on why improper relocation harms both animals and local ecosystems.
Common Mistake: Many Tennessee property owners believe that releasing a trapped animal “far away” is a humane solution. In practice, relocated animals are often disoriented, unable to find food or shelter, and may die within days. It also spreads disease to new areas and is illegal without proper permits.
Hiring a Licensed Wildlife Control Operator in Tennessee
When the situation calls for a professional, Tennessee law requires that anyone charging a fee for wildlife removal hold a specific state-issued credential. Any person, company, or other entity desiring to destroy or otherwise control nuisance wildlife and charge a fee for such services must first obtain an Animal Damage Control Permit from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, except as otherwise provided.
Getting an ADC permit is not automatic. A permit will not be issued to any applicant that does not have a demonstrated knowledge of wildlife and wildlife control techniques as evidenced by training and/or experience. This requirement is designed to ensure that only qualified individuals are performing removal work.
Once hired, an ADC operator’s authority is specifically scoped to your property and your consent. Permit holders are authorized to control wildlife only with the written permission of the complainant and only on the premises of the complainant. They cannot extend their work to neighboring properties without separate authorization. Additionally, permit holders are required to provide adequate liability insurance.
After the job is done, ADC operators face ongoing reporting obligations. All permit holders are required to maintain complete records on all services provided under this section. The records shall include the complete name and address of the person for whom services have been performed, the types of control measures undertaken, and the species and number of animals taken.
There are also clear limits on what a licensed operator can do with animals they remove. Wildlife taken may not be sold, bartered, given away, or used for any purpose without prior approval of the TWRA. Animals taken must be disposed of in a manner that ensures humane handling or killing. Where desirable, animals may be relocated to areas approved by the TWRA.
One important note on pricing: if you hire an Animal Damage Control permit holder, there are no mandated charges set by the TWRA or USFWS. TWRA or USFWS does not regulate the business or practices. This means rates can vary significantly between operators, and you should always get multiple estimates. If you have a dispute with an ADC operator, you may contact your local Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Affairs Division of the Tennessee Department of Commerce. You can also explore related Tennessee animal law topics such as dog bite laws in Tennessee and neighbors’ cat in my yard laws in Tennessee for additional context on how the state handles human-animal conflicts.
Penalties for Illegal Wildlife Removal in Tennessee
Ignoring Tennessee’s wildlife removal laws is not a minor oversight. The state enforces these rules through a tiered penalty system that can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the species involved and the nature of the violation.
For violations involving the destruction of wildlife without proper authorization, a violation of Tennessee Code § 70-4-115 is a Class C misdemeanor. Class C misdemeanors in Tennessee carry penalties of up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $50.
More serious violations — particularly those involving the illegal buying, selling, or transfer of wildlife — carry significantly heavier consequences. A violation involving wildlife valued at five hundred dollars or more is a Class E felony. A Class E felony in Tennessee can result in up to six years in prison.
For violations involving big game species specifically, courts have the authority to go beyond standard criminal penalties. The court shall prohibit a convicted person, either a first or subsequent offender, from hunting, fishing, or trapping in this state for a period of one year. In addition, any court that convicts a person of killing or possessing a white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bear, or wild elk in violation of this title may order that person to pay restitution for the animal to the agency in the amount of not less than one thousand dollars per animal.
Possession of illegally taken wildlife carries its own separate liability. Any person who makes any use of or has in possession any wild animals, wild birds, wild fowl, or fish that have been caught, taken, killed, or destroyed contrary to any of the provisions of this title shall be equally liable under the provisions of this title for the penalties imposed against the person who originally took the animal. This means that even if you did not personally trap the animal, receiving or keeping it exposes you to the same penalties as the person who did.
For federally protected species, the consequences are even more severe. The legal consequences for harming, taking, or otherwise violating protections for endangered animals in Tennessee are serious and operate on two separate tracks: federal penalties under the ESA and state penalties under Tennessee law. Taking a species generally includes causing any harm to a federally protected animal or plant species. Any individual that knowingly takes a listed species can be fined up to $25,000 by the federal government for each violation or instance.
Important Note: Issuance of an ADC permit does not grant authority to control state and federal endangered and threatened species or other species specifically prohibited by the permit. Even licensed professionals must stay within their permitted species boundaries.
The clearest way to avoid penalties is to verify before you act. Contact the TWRA, consult a licensed ADC operator, and — when in doubt — treat any unfamiliar wild animal as protected until you confirm otherwise. For related state-level animal law topics, see dog leash laws in Tennessee, roadkill laws in Tennessee, and pit bull laws in Tennessee to understand how Tennessee regulates a broad range of animal-related situations.
Tennessee’s wildlife removal laws exist to protect both property owners and the state’s diverse wildlife populations. When you understand the rules — which animals you can handle yourself, which require a licensed professional, how trapping must be conducted, and what relocation actually requires — you are far better positioned to resolve wildlife conflicts legally, safely, and effectively. If you are ever uncertain about a specific situation, the TWRA is your first call: Ask.TWRA@tn.gov or 615-781-6500.