Can You Kill Raccoons in North Dakota? Laws, Methods, and Your Rights
August 5, 2026
Raccoons are resourceful, adaptable animals that thrive across North Dakota — from the wooded river corridors of the Missouri to the farmsteads of the Red River Valley. When one starts raiding your chicken coop, tearing into your trash, or taking up residence in your attic, the question quickly shifts from curiosity to urgency: can you actually kill a raccoon in North Dakota, and what are the rules?
The short answer is yes, but the details matter. North Dakota law treats raccoons as furbearers with regulated seasons, specific legal methods, and licensing requirements that vary depending on your situation. Getting those details wrong can mean fines or the loss of your hunting and trapping privileges. This guide walks you through everything you need to know — from the animal’s legal status to what happens if you want to relocate one instead.
Are Raccoons Protected in North Dakota?
Raccoons are not protected in the sense that they are endangered or off-limits to take. Under North Dakota law, raccoons are classified as furbearers, a category that also includes mink, muskrats, weasels, wolverines, otters, beavers, badgers, coyotes, bobcats, and foxes. That classification means they are managed wildlife — not unregulated pests — and taking them outside of legal frameworks can result in penalties.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department lists raccoons as a statewide furbearer species, meaning their range covers the entire state. Because they are managed wildlife, no person may hunt, shoot, trap, or take any furbearer in North Dakota except during the open or lawful season established under state law. That said, North Dakota’s raccoon seasons are generous compared to many other states, and there are additional provisions for property owners dealing with nuisance animals.
One thing North Dakota law is clear about: a person may not keep a skunk or raccoon in captivity. So even if you trap a live raccoon, keeping it as a pet is not an option. Skunks and raccoons may not be imported into the state for any purpose, either. If you want to learn more about other wildlife regulations that apply in the state, the venomous animals in North Dakota guide covers additional species-specific rules worth knowing.
When Can You Legally Kill a Raccoon in North Dakota?
North Dakota offers broad legal windows for taking raccoons, and the 2025–2026 proclamation issued by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department reflects that. Pursuant to North Dakota law and upon the recommendation of the Game and Fish Director, an open season in 2025 and 2026 was declared on the harvest of certain game species, including raccoons, to be taken with archery equipment, trapping equipment, firearms, or raptors.
Hunting hours for raccoon with firearms, archery equipment, and dogs run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day, though beaver and raccoon may also be taken at any hour of the day under specific nighttime provisions outlined in the proclamation. This means raccoon hunting in North Dakota is not limited to daylight hours, which is significant given that raccoons are primarily nocturnal animals.
Beaver and raccoon may be taken at any hour of the day while hunting on foot, with the aid of artificial light, night vision, thermal vision, or infrared light with a power source of not more than 6 volts. The artificial light must produce a red, green, or amber color, except when taking a raccoon that is treed or at bay. This provision makes nighttime hunting practical and legal under the right conditions.
Pro Tip: Always verify the current season dates directly with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Small Game Proclamation before heading out, as dates and rules are set annually by gubernatorial proclamation and can change from year to year.
Legal Methods for Killing Raccoons in North Dakota
North Dakota allows several methods for legally taking raccoons, giving hunters and property owners meaningful flexibility. Only firearms no smaller than .410 caliber nor larger than 10 gauge, loaded with shot and capable of holding no more than three shells, legal archery equipment, and raptors may be used, except as otherwise specified in the proclamation.
The nighttime provision adds another layer of practical options. When using a flashlight with a power source of not over six volts, it is illegal to use a rifle or handgun capable of firing a shell larger than a twenty-two caliber long rifle shell, or a shotgun larger than .410 gauge. This is an important restriction to understand if you plan to hunt raccoons at night — your firearm choice must comply with the light-use rules.
Dogs are also a legal and traditional tool for raccoon hunting in North Dakota. Hunting raccoon with dogs is permitted within the same legal hours as firearms and archery equipment. Using dogs to tree raccoons and then dispatching them is a well-established practice in the state. For context on other regulated hunting seasons in North Dakota, see the pheasant hunting season in North Dakota page, which covers a similarly structured set of rules.
| Method | Legal for Raccoon? | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun (.410 to 10 gauge, shot only) | Yes | Max 3-shell capacity; shot loads only |
| Rimfire (.22 LR or smaller) | Yes (nighttime with light) | Only when using artificial light of 6V or less |
| Archery equipment | Yes | Legal archery equipment as defined by proclamation |
| Dogs (hounds) | Yes | Within legal hunting hours |
| Traps / Cable devices | Yes | Subject to trapping season rules and licensing |
| Raptors (falconry) | Yes | Requires appropriate falconry licensing |
Trapping Raccoons in North Dakota: Rules and Restrictions
Trapping is one of the most common methods used to deal with nuisance raccoons in North Dakota, particularly around farm buildings, grain storage, and residential areas. North Dakota allows hunting and trapping of various furbearers including raccoon, with season dates and licensing requirements that vary by species. Trapping raccoons requires a furbearer license, and the rules around trap types, placement, and check intervals are taken seriously by the state.
Cable devices (snares) are legal for certain species but must meet specific construction requirements. Trappers must follow regulations regarding trap checks, trap placement distances from roads and buildings, and identification of traps. Body-gripping traps have size restrictions depending on where they are used.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, along with the North Dakota Fur Takers Association, recommends that all traps be visually inspected and all captured animals be removed at no greater than 48-hour intervals, and that rubber gloves be worn for skinning and handling of all furbearers. This 48-hour check recommendation is a welfare and disease-prevention standard — raccoons are a known rabies vector species, and prompt handling reduces risk.
The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program offers a 16-hour course covering all aspects of fur harvest in North Dakota, including trapping. The course includes both classroom and hands-on learning activities including trap handling and setting, hound hunting, predator calling, fur handling, furbearer biology, fur harvester regulations, and ethics. First-time trappers are encouraged to complete this course before setting traps.
Important Note: Tampering with another person’s legally set trap is a serious offense. No person other than the individual who set the trap or snare, or that individual’s agent, may remove or tamper with a trap or snare legally set to take fur-bearing animals or unprotected wild animals, or remove the animal from such a trap.
For comparison on how neighboring states handle similar wildlife removal situations, the roadkill laws in North Dakota article covers related state-level wildlife possession rules that intersect with furbearer regulations.
Can You Relocate a Raccoon Instead of Killing It in North Dakota?
Relocation sounds like a humane alternative, but it carries its own legal complications in North Dakota. A person may not keep a skunk or raccoon in captivity under state law, which means keeping a live-trapped raccoon — even temporarily before transport — occupies a legal gray zone. The prohibition on captivity applies broadly and is not limited to long-term pet ownership.
No state has a blanket, no-restrictions-at-all permission for anyone to trap and relocate raccoons wherever they choose. States that permit relocation typically require a permit from the state fish and wildlife agency, restrict release to approved sites, impose minimum distance requirements from the capture location, and in many cases require that the trapper hold a wildlife control operator license or nuisance wildlife permit.
Some states allow property owners to trap and remove raccoons on their own land without a permit, but those exceptions typically require that the animal be released on the same property or euthanized. Transporting the animal off your property and releasing it elsewhere is where most people cross from legal to illegal. In North Dakota, given the captivity prohibition on raccoons, releasing a trapped animal on the same property is the safest interpretation for landowners acting without a professional license.
If you are unsure about your specific situation, contacting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department directly before trapping is the safest course of action. They can clarify what your permit status allows and whether relocation to another site is permissible in your case. For a look at how another state handles similar questions, the can you kill raccoons in North Carolina article offers a useful point of comparison.
Hiring a Licensed Wildlife Control Operator in North Dakota
If the legal complexity of trapping, relocating, or dispatching a raccoon feels like too much to navigate on your own, hiring a licensed wildlife control operator (WCO) is a practical solution. Nuisance wildlife control operators deal with conflicts between people and wildlife such as squirrels living in an attic or raccoons digging through the trash. Calling a licensed and insured professional gets the problem taken care of in compliance with state law.
The wildlife control operator license is a separate, more specialized credential from a standard trapping license. WCOs are trained and licensed to trap nuisance animals as a professional service. In states that require a WCO for raccoon removal, a standard trapping license held by a homeowner does not qualify. North Dakota follows a similar framework, meaning a WCO can take actions that a homeowner acting alone cannot.
A licensed WCO can assess the situation, determine the most appropriate legal method of removal, and handle disposal or euthanasia in compliance with state rules. Trapping is a wildlife management tool used by agencies to maintain a balance between people and wildlife. It helps reduce extreme fluctuations in wildlife population cycles and tempers large population die-offs due to disease outbreaks. Professionals also carry liability insurance, which matters if something goes wrong during removal near a home or livestock operation.
To find a licensed operator in your area, contact the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s furbearers page or ask your county extension office for referrals. If you are dealing with multiple wildlife concerns on your property, the when do snakes come out in North Dakota and types of bats in North Dakota pages cover other species that commonly prompt calls to wildlife control professionals.
Local Ordinances That May Override State Law in North Dakota
State law sets the floor for raccoon management in North Dakota, but it does not always set the ceiling. Cities and counties can layer additional restrictions on top of state regulations, particularly within municipal boundaries where discharging firearms is often prohibited.
Just because an animal is legal to deal with under state law does not mean the city you live in allows every method. Check with your local authorities. In Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and other population centers, local ordinances typically prohibit the discharge of firearms within city limits. This means that even if state law permits shooting a raccoon, your municipality may restrict you to live trapping only — and then you are back to the captivity and relocation questions discussed above.
Regulations set by the state legislature become state laws and must be modified through the legislative process. Regulations set by governor’s proclamation can be modified annually without having to go through the legislative process. Local ordinances add a third layer entirely, and they can be more restrictive than either. Before taking any action against a raccoon in a residential or urban setting, verify what your city or township allows.
Noise ordinances, discharge prohibitions, and nuisance animal codes all vary by municipality. Calling your city’s animal control office or police non-emergency line is a quick way to get a definitive answer for your address. For related local animal law questions in North Dakota, the rooster crowing laws in North Dakota and neighbors cat in my yard laws in North Dakota pages show how municipal rules can diverge significantly from state-level frameworks.
Key Takeaway: In rural North Dakota, you generally have broad legal authority to hunt and trap raccoons year-round with the right license and legal methods. In cities and towns, local discharge ordinances often limit your options to live trapping — and that requires careful attention to the captivity prohibition and relocation rules under state law. When in doubt, call the North Dakota Game and Fish Department or a licensed wildlife control operator before acting.
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are intelligent, adaptable animals that will keep returning to a food source as long as it is available. Killing or removing a problem animal is often only a short-term fix without also addressing what attracted it in the first place — unsecured trash, accessible chicken coops, or open compost. Pairing legal removal with habitat modification gives you the best chance of a lasting solution. For other wildlife-related legal questions in the region, the roadkill laws in South Dakota and pit bull laws in North Dakota pages offer additional context on how the state balances wildlife management with property rights.