Wildlife Removal Laws in Missouri: What Property Owners Need to Know

Missouri is home to hundreds of wild species, and sooner or later, many of them end up somewhere you’d rather they didn’t — inside a wall, under a deck, or raiding a chicken coop. When that happens, most property owners immediately wonder what they’re legally allowed to do about it.

The answer isn’t always straightforward. Missouri’s wildlife removal laws draw a firm line between animals you can handle on your own and those that require a professional or a special permit. Getting that line wrong can cost you hundreds of dollars in fines or put you on the wrong side of a misdemeanor charge. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to handle nuisance wildlife legally and effectively in Missouri.

Can You Remove Wildlife Yourself in Missouri?

The short answer is yes — but only under specific conditions. The Wildlife Code of Missouri protects all of the state’s wildlife, but the Code also provides for the taking of wildlife during prescribed hunting and trapping seasons and when wildlife is causing damage to property under 3 CSR 10-4.130, Owner May Protect Property; Public Safety.

If wildlife is damaging your property, you or your representative — such as a relative, friend, neighbor, or someone you hire — may shoot or trap most damage-causing wildlife out of season and without a permit to prevent further damage. That’s a meaningful right for property owners, but it comes with important conditions.

Control action may be taken only on your property. Wildlife you take under this provision may not be used in any way, and you must report it to the Department within 24 hours, then dispose of it in accordance with Department instructions.

Important Note: Always check with your local city or county authorities before using traps or firearms for wildlife removal. Local ordinances may impose stricter rules than state law, particularly in urban and suburban areas.

The ownership of and title to all wildlife within the state, whether resident, migratory, or imported, dead or alive, is declared to be in the state of Missouri. That foundational principle is why even “nuisance” animals aren’t simply yours to do with as you please — Missouri law governs how they’re handled from start to finish.

Which Animals Can Be Removed Without a Permit in Missouri?

Missouri gives property owners fairly broad authority to deal with common nuisance wildlife without obtaining a special permit, provided the animals are actively causing property damage. Trapping is an effective tool to remove nuisance animals from an area. According to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, property owners may trap nuisance wildlife anytime during the year or may use furbearer trappers who may trap during the established furbearer season.

Animals you can generally remove without a permit when they are causing damage include:

• Raccoons
• Opossums
• Groundhogs (woodchucks)
• Squirrels
• Skunks
• Moles and voles
• Muskrats
• Coyotes
• Foxes
• Rabbits
• Feral hogs (which may be eliminated at any time due to their invasive status)

Because they are nonnative, destructive, and dangerous, feral hogs should be eliminated from Missouri. This makes feral hogs one of the few species where removal is actively encouraged rather than simply permitted.

Pro Tip: Even when no permit is required, you must still follow legal trap types and check intervals. Skipping those steps — even for a common species like a raccoon — can expose you to penalties under Missouri trapping regulations.

For deer causing documented crop or property damage, the rules are different. Deer damage depredation permits are available from the MDC for landowners with documented wildlife damage. These permits are issued by local conservation agents and allow landowners to shoot a specified number of depredating deer out of season. These permits should be used only after other damage prevention and control methods have been attempted.

Which Animals Require a Licensed Wildlife Removal Professional in Missouri?

Certain species in Missouri fall outside the property-damage exception and cannot be shot or trapped by a private citizen without additional authorization. Wildlife you may not shoot or trap under the property-damage provision are migratory birds, white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, turkeys, black bears, mountain lions, and any endangered species. For conflicts with these species, contact your local county conservation agent or nearest MDC office.

Bats deserve special attention. Disturbing bat hibernation sites in caves can result in hefty fines and legal trouble. Missouri law strictly protects these bats because their numbers have dropped dramatically over the years. Several bat species found in Missouri carry federal protections as well. Northern long-eared bats roost under loose bark and in tree cavities throughout Missouri’s forests. White-nose syndrome has devastated their populations, leading to federal threatened status and strict legal protections.

Bald eagles are another species where even indirect interference carries serious risk. Once nearly extinct, bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback thanks to strict protection laws. Federal regulations prohibit anyone from possessing eagle feathers, nests, or eggs without special permits. Even picking up a fallen feather from the ground can land you in legal hot water.

Migratory birds as a class are governed by federal law in addition to state rules. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 prohibits the removal of all listed species or their parts — feathers, eggs, nests, etc. — from such property. However, in extreme circumstances, a federal permit might be obtained for the relocation of listed species.

Black bears also require special handling. Black bears that are causing damage may be killed only with the permission of an agent of the department and by methods authorized by that agent, except that they may be killed without prior permission if they are attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or attacking humans. Black bears killed under this rule must be reported immediately to an agent of the department and the intact black bear carcass, including pelt, must be surrendered to the agent within 24 hours.

If you are dealing with any of these protected or specially regulated species, calling a licensed wildlife control operator is not just practical — it’s legally necessary. You can also learn more about wildlife organizations in Missouri that may offer guidance or referrals for protected species situations.

Trapping Rules and Legal Methods in Missouri

Missouri allows several trap types for nuisance wildlife control, but each comes with specific rules about placement, labeling, and check intervals. Traps are classified according to design and function and can be either lethal or nonlethal. Examples of nonlethal traps include live box traps or cage traps and foothold traps. Examples of lethal traps include body-gripping traps for beavers or muskrats, snap-traps for mice, rats, and voles, and harpoon and scissor traps for moles.

Key trapping rules from the Wildlife Code of Missouri include:

1. Daily trap checks: Wildlife must be removed or released from traps daily, except for colony and killing-type traps, which must be checked every 48 hours.
2. Trap labeling: Traps must be plainly labeled on durable material with the user’s full name and address or Conservation Number.
3. Placement restrictions near homes: Within communities having 10,000 or more inhabitants, only cage-type or foot-enclosing-type traps may be set within 150 feet of any residence or occupied building.
4. Roadway restrictions: Killing-type traps may not be set along public roadways, except underwater in permanent waters.
5. Path restrictions: Traps may not be set in paths made or used by people or domestic animals.

Cage traps are the most accessible option for most homeowners. You can purchase a cage-type trap at most hardware and garden-supply stores. However, more specialized traps require experience to use effectively and safely. Some situations are best resolved with a foothold or body-gripping trap. However, most people lack the special skill and experience needed to properly use these traps. If your situation calls for a foothold or body-gripping trap, call your local county conservation agent, who can likely provide the name of a local trapper who can assist you.

Key Insight: Missouri prohibits certain methods outright. Some control methods are strictly prohibited in Missouri, such as poisoning wildlife or using inhumane traps. Always verify that any method you plan to use is specifically permitted under the Wildlife Code before proceeding.

Fumigants are another option for burrowing species. Fumigants are poisonous gases most often used to control wildlife species that live in underground burrows. Several commercial fumigants are registered for certain species, such as groundhogs, and must be used according to label instructions and with caution. The Missouri Department of Conservation also notes that the AVMA classifies fumigants such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide as acceptable under some conditions. Drowning, however, is not a permitted method — the AVMA does not classify drowning as a humane method.

For information on how Missouri’s trapping framework compares to neighboring states, see the pet laws in Missouri overview, which covers additional regulatory context for animals in the state.

Can You Relocate Wildlife in Missouri?

Relocation might seem like the most humane option when you catch a raccoon or squirrel in a live trap, but Missouri’s official guidance strongly discourages it — and in many situations, it is outright prohibited.

After you trap a damage-causing animal, you must dispose of it properly. Although relocation may seem like a good idea, the MDC does not recommend it. Moving an animal can spread disease. The concerns go beyond disease transmission. A strange animal coming into an established local population of the same species can upset the local group’s social order and possibly its health. Further, a relocated animal does not know where to find food or other resources and may likely starve to death. Finally, moving the animal might simply create a problem for someone else at the new location.

Most federal, state, and local agencies prohibit the release of wildlife on lands they own or manage, including Department properties. That rules out releasing trapped animals at parks, conservation areas, or other public lands — a common misconception among well-meaning homeowners.

Missouri wildlife control guidance is direct on what to do instead: the MDC recommends killing the animal. The AVMA has established guidelines for the euthanasia of animals, both domestic and wild.

Common Mistake: Driving a trapped raccoon or squirrel to a park and releasing it may feel like the right thing to do, but it likely violates state regulations and can harm the animal. If you are not comfortable with euthanasia, hire a licensed wildlife control operator who can handle disposal legally and humanely.

Translocation is not recommended by Missouri wildlife authorities. Rather, release the animal on the site where it was captured or euthanize it. If you have questions about what constitutes lawful disposal, contact your local MDC office within the required 24-hour reporting window.

You may also find it helpful to review roadkill laws in Missouri for related guidance on how the state regulates the handling of wildlife carcasses found on public roads.

Hiring a Licensed Wildlife Control Operator in Missouri

Missouri takes a notably different approach to wildlife control operator licensing compared to many other states. Nuisance wildlife control operators in Missouri do not need a license or permit to deal with nuisance animals. Instead, they must sign an agreement with the Department of Conservation allowing their company name, number, and address to be made public.

While formal licensing is not required, operators who sign the MDC agreement are subject to specific recordkeeping and reporting obligations. They must keep a record of all animals caught. The record must include the number of animals caught, the location at which they were caught, the name of the customer, and where the animals were released or the method by which the animals were euthanized. An annual report must be submitted between January 1st and March 1st.

When choosing a wildlife control operator, look for these qualifications and practices:

• Signed MDC agreement (verifiable through the Department)
• Liability insurance and business registration
• Clear explanation of methods used and how animals will be disposed of
• Willingness to provide written records of the work performed
• Familiarity with local ordinances in addition to state law

The Department does not routinely provide cage-type traps. However, some local municipal animal-control agencies have traps to loan and may assist in setting and checking them. Also, local rental companies usually offer cage-type traps for rent. If your situation does not warrant hiring a full wildlife control company, these options can bridge the gap.

For complex situations involving protected species — bats in a structure, nesting birds, or a bear encounter — a professional is your safest and most legally sound option. It takes an experienced professional to safely and legally remove a colony of bats. Attempting to handle protected species without proper authority exposes you to significant legal risk.

You may also want to explore resources from the Defenders of Wildlife and the Wildlife Conservation Society for broader context on wildlife protection standards that inform how operators are expected to work.

Penalties for Illegal Wildlife Removal in Missouri

Missouri treats wildlife violations seriously, and the penalties reflect that. No wildlife shall be pursued, taken, killed, possessed, or disposed of except in the manner, to the extent, and at the time or times permitted by rules and regulations; any pursuit, taking, killing, possession, or disposition thereof, except as permitted, is prohibited.

Violating those rules carries real consequences under Missouri law. Except as provided otherwise, any person violating any of the provisions of sections 252.010 to 252.240 wherein other specific punishment is not provided, and any person violating any related rules and regulations relating to wildlife, shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Violating wildlife control laws in Missouri can result in legal consequences, fines, and penalties. The Missouri Department of Conservation takes these violations seriously to protect the state’s diverse wildlife population. Individuals found guilty of unlawfully trapping, relocating, or harming nuisance wildlife may face fines ranging from $100 to $1,000, depending on the severity of the offense. In some cases, intentional harm to protected species can lead to criminal charges, higher fines, and even jail time.

The table below summarizes the most common violation categories and their potential consequences:

Violation Type	Potential Penalty	Notes
Trapping without following legal trap rules	Class B misdemeanor; fines up to $1,000	Includes improper trap types, missing labels, skipped check intervals
Failing to report wildlife taken within 24 hours	Misdemeanor; fines apply	Required under 3 CSR 10-4.130
Removing or harming migratory birds	Federal violation; fines up to $15,000+ per offense	Governed by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in addition to state law
Harming endangered species	Criminal charges; substantial fines; possible jail time	Both state and federal Endangered Species Act apply
Illegal relocation of wildlife	Fines ranging from $100 to $1,000	Releasing on public lands is specifically prohibited
Using prohibited control methods (e.g., poison, inhumane traps)	Misdemeanor; fines and legal consequences	Some methods are banned regardless of species

Any person who fails to comply with or who violates this law or any such rules and regulations shall not acquire or enforce any title, ownership, or possessory right in any such wildlife. That means even if you catch an animal on your own property using your own trap, illegal handling strips you of any claim over it and exposes you to enforcement action.

Important Note: Missouri’s hunting and trapping regulations can change. Always verify current rules with the Missouri Department of Conservation before taking any action, particularly for species that may have recently gained or lost protected status.

Beyond fines and misdemeanor charges, repeat or egregious violations can result in the loss of hunting and trapping privileges, which affects your legal ability to manage wildlife on your own property going forward. The cost of getting it wrong far exceeds the cost of a quick call to your local MDC office or a licensed wildlife control operator.

For additional context on how Missouri regulates animals more broadly, see the guides on backyard chicken laws in Missouri, neighbor’s cat in your yard laws in Missouri, and hedgehog ownership laws in Missouri. If you are dealing with a species that may also carry disease implications, the brucellosis laws in Missouri page provides relevant regulatory background. You can also explore the wildlife organizations directory to find professional help or report a protected species sighting.