Raccoons are everywhere in Delaware — raiding trash cans in Wilmington, nesting in attics across Dover, and tearing up corn crops in Sussex County. If one has become a problem on your property, your first question is probably whether you can legally do anything about it, including killing it.
The short answer is yes, but only under specific conditions. Delaware law draws a clear line between lawful control and illegal killing, and crossing that line can result in fines and other penalties. This guide walks you through exactly what the state permits, when a license is required, and what your alternatives are.
Are Raccoons Protected in Delaware?
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are classified as furbearers under Delaware law and are managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. That classification means they receive legal protections — you cannot simply shoot or kill one at will, regardless of how much damage it is causing.
Delaware’s recognized furbearers include beavers, eastern coyotes, gray fox, mink, muskrats, nutria, opossums, raccoons, red fox, river otters, skunks, and weasels. Like many other species, furbearers must be managed in a sustainable and ecologically sound manner to ensure healthy populations throughout Delaware.
Without a permit from the state of Delaware, it is illegal to possess or sell a live raccoon. No live raccoons shall be sold or possessed in this state or transported into this state for any purpose without a permit from the Division. That protection extends to how you handle nuisance animals — the law governs both possession and lethal control.
Important Note: Raccoons are a known rabies vector species in Delaware. If you are bitten or scratched, seek medical attention immediately and contact the Delaware Division of Public Health at (302) 744-4995 for guidance.
When Can You Legally Kill a Raccoon in Delaware?
Delaware law allows lethal control of raccoons in several distinct situations. Understanding which scenario applies to your property determines what steps you need to take before acting.
During open hunting or trapping season: Any person may trap, hunt with dogs, or otherwise take raccoons from any lands during the period as defined by Departmental regulations. For the 2025–2026 season, raccoon and opossum hunting ran from November 1, 2025 through March 7, 2026, with the season closed during November Youth/Non-Ambulatory and General Firearm/Shotgun deer seasons, and special hours of 7 p.m. to midnight during December and January deer seasons.
In incorporated cities and towns causing damage: Within the limits of residential or commercial areas of incorporated cities or towns, or within residential or commercial structures, raccoons may be controlled (killed) without a permit when they are causing damage. Methods used to control raccoons must be consistent with the laws of this state and the regulations of the Department, and only live traps may be used (without a depredation permit) outside of established trapping seasons.
On certain private lands year-round: Raccoons may be hunted and trapped any time of the year on private land in New Castle and Kent Counties east of Route 13, from Federal School Lane (near the Ommelanden Range in New Castle County) south to the St. Jones River in Kent County. This is a notable exception that gives landowners in those specific corridors more flexibility than the rest of the state.
Outside these scenarios, killing a raccoon without a permit is generally not permitted. If you are unsure which category your situation falls into, contact the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife at 302-735-3600 before taking any action.
Legal Methods for Killing Raccoons in Delaware
Even when lethal control is permitted, Delaware restricts the methods you may use. Not every tool or technique is lawful, and using a prohibited method — even on a nuisance animal — can expose you to penalties.
Raccoons may be trapped and taken in accordance with the regulations of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and as otherwise expressly provided. Firearms are permitted during open hunting seasons, with one notable allowance: a .22 caliber rimfire pistol may be used to hunt raccoons and opossums. This is an exception to the general rule that hunting requires a longbow or shotgun.
Hunting at night — defined as one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise — is generally prohibited, except that frogs, raccoons, and opossum may be hunted at night using a handheld light. That makes night hunting with a light a legal option during open season, which is worth knowing since raccoons are primarily nocturnal animals.
- Shotguns (10 gauge or smaller) are the standard lawful firearm for hunting
- A .22 caliber rimfire pistol is specifically authorized for raccoons and opossums
- A handheld light may be used for night hunting during open season
- Night vision or infrared devices are prohibited under Delaware law
- Poison, explosives, and deadfall traps are not permitted for raccoon control
Pro Tip: Always carry your hunting license and a valid ID when hunting raccoons in Delaware. Hunters must have these documents on their person at all times while in the field.
For a broader look at how neighboring states handle similar situations, see how the rules compare in Maryland and Virginia.
Trapping Raccoons in Delaware: Rules and Restrictions
Trapping is often the most practical option for homeowners dealing with a nuisance raccoon, but Delaware imposes specific equipment and placement rules that you must follow.
Raccoons may be trapped in season statewide with foothold traps, including foot-encapsulating style traps, cable restraints, or box traps operated to confine but not harm the entrapped animal. The trap opening of box and cage traps may not exceed 195 square inches. This size restriction is written directly into state code and applies statewide.
The trapping season varies by county. Raccoon may be trapped from December 1 through March 10 (March 20 on embanked meadows) in New Castle County, and from December 15 through March 15 in Kent and Sussex counties. The season is open throughout the year on private land, except on Sundays, in eastern New Castle and Kent counties.
If you plan to trap outside of the regulated season in a residential or commercial area where damage is occurring, methods used to control said animals must be consistent with the laws of this state and the regulations of the Department, and only live traps may be used (without a depredation permit) outside of established trapping seasons.
Additional practical trapping guidance from WildlifeHelp.org recommends using a cage or box trap at least 10 inches by 12 inches by 32 inches, anchoring it securely, and baiting it with sweet fruit, marshmallows, or jelly to reduce the chance of catching non-target animals.
Important Note: Trapping on Sundays is prohibited across most of Delaware. Plan your trapping schedule accordingly to avoid violations.
For comparison on how trapping rules differ in other Mid-Atlantic states, see our coverage of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Can You Relocate a Raccoon Instead of Killing It in Delaware?
Relocation sounds like a humane middle ground, but Delaware imposes real restrictions on where and how you can release a trapped raccoon. Simply driving it to the nearest park and releasing it is not legal.
Wildlife that are relocated must be released in suitable habitat, preferably within 10 miles of the capture location. Wildlife are not to be released in an area close to human dwellings or businesses, which would result in a transfer of, rather than a solution to, the nuisance problem. Wildlife shall not be released within the city limits of any city, State Wildlife Area, State Park property, or National Wildlife Refuge. Landowner permission is required before any wildlife are released onto a new location.
These rules exist for good reason. Releasing a raccoon into an unfamiliar territory puts it under significant stress and can spread disease to other wildlife populations. Raccoons are also a primary vector for rabies in Delaware, so improper relocation carries public health implications beyond just the individual animal.
There is also a practical concern: raccoons have strong homing instincts and may return to your property even after relocation, particularly if they have established a den or food source there. Exclusion — sealing entry points and removing attractants — is often more effective as a long-term solution than relocation alone.
| Relocation Rule | Delaware Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum distance from capture | Preferably within 10 miles |
| Release near homes or businesses | Not permitted |
| Release in State Parks or Wildlife Areas | Not permitted |
| Release on private land | Landowner permission required |
| Release in city limits | Not permitted |
Hiring a Licensed Wildlife Control Operator in Delaware
If you are not comfortable handling a raccoon problem yourself — or if the situation involves an attic infestation, a large number of animals, or potential rabies exposure — hiring a licensed professional is a smart option.
Delaware issues annual licenses to private professionals to conduct nuisance wildlife work for the public in Delaware. These licensed professionals and businesses can work with homeowners and individuals to help resolve wildlife conflict. The website wildlifehelp.org includes a list of licensed wildlife control operators.
The DNREC Division of Wildlife permits certified Nuisance Wildlife Control contractors to trap and remove protected wildlife causing property damage or presenting health risks. These operators are trained to handle raccoons humanely, in full compliance with state law, and can also address the structural repairs and sanitation cleanup that often follow a raccoon infestation.
To become certified, contractors must pay a certification fee and meet DNREC’s training requirements. Those wishing to become a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator or to conduct nuisance wildlife work in Delaware as part of their business can apply for a license. For more information, contact Ryan Harris, DNREC Wildlife Damage Biologist, at ryan.harris@delaware.gov or 302-735-8683.
Before hiring any company, verify that they hold a valid nuisance wildlife permit from the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Unlicensed operators may not follow state relocation and disposal rules, which could leave you liable.
See how professional wildlife control works in other states: Ohio, Georgia, and Florida each have their own licensing frameworks worth comparing.
Local Ordinances That May Override State Law in Delaware
State law sets the floor for raccoon control in Delaware, but it does not prevent cities, towns, and counties from adding their own restrictions on top of it. If you live in an incorporated municipality, you may face additional rules that are stricter than what DNREC allows statewide.
Common local restrictions include discharge-of-firearms ordinances that prohibit shooting within city or town limits regardless of the target species. Even if state law permits you to shoot a nuisance raccoon during open season, a local ordinance banning firearm discharge in residential areas would take precedence within that jurisdiction.
Certain counties, cities, and towns may have separate regulations regarding the ownership and control of these animals. This applies not just to ownership but to nuisance control methods as well. Before using any lethal method in an urban or suburban setting, check with your local municipality — Wilmington, Dover, Newark, and Middletown all have their own codes that may affect what is permissible on your property.
Sussex County and its beach communities also have seasonal considerations. If you are dealing with a raccoon problem near a state park or wildlife refuge boundary, additional federal and state restrictions may apply. Wildlife shall not be released within the city limits of any city, State Wildlife Area, State Park property, or National Wildlife Refuge. This rule affects both where you can release trapped animals and, in some cases, where trapping itself is regulated.
Pro Tip: Contact your local city or county code enforcement office before using any firearm or lethal trap for raccoon control in a residential area. A quick phone call can prevent a costly violation.
You can also review the roadkill laws in Delaware for related information on how the state handles other wildlife encounters on public roads. For a broader look at raccoon laws across the region, see our guides for North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
What to Do If You Are Unsure
Delaware’s raccoon laws involve multiple overlapping rules — state statute, DNREC regulations, county-specific seasons, and local ordinances. When in doubt, the safest path is to contact DNREC directly before taking any action.
- DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife: 302-735-3600
- DNREC Wildlife Damage Biologist: 302-735-8683
- Delaware Division of Public Health (rabies exposure): (302) 744-4995
- Delaware Department of Agriculture (livestock/pet exposure): (302) 698-4630
- DNREC Natural Resources Police (emergency): 800-523-3336
You can also find a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator through WildlifeHelp.org, which is presented by government wildlife management agencies as a trusted source for legal and responsible wildlife control advice. For those dealing with raccoon problems in neighboring states, our guides for Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana cover the relevant rules in detail.