A raccoon tearing through your trash, a squirrel nesting in your attic, or a skunk under your deck — these are common problems for Maryland homeowners. The instinct is to handle it yourself, fast. But before you set a trap or call a neighbor with a truck, you need to know that Maryland has specific laws governing how wildlife can be removed, by whom, and what happens afterward.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service oversees these rules under the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The DNR sets rules and policies that protect wildlife resources and regulate human actions. Some situations give you more flexibility than you might expect — others require a licensed professional or carry serious legal consequences if you get it wrong.
This guide walks you through every layer of Maryland’s wildlife removal framework: which animals you can handle yourself, which require a permit or a pro, how trapping works legally, and what penalties apply when the rules are broken.
Can You Remove Wildlife Yourself in Maryland?
The short answer is: sometimes, but not always. Some nuisance wildlife control actions you want to take will require a permit or use of a professional nuisance wildlife control operator licensed by DNR; however, many do not. The determining factors are the species involved, the method you plan to use, and whether the problem is on your own property.
Maryland law draws a clear line between landowners acting on their own land and commercial operators charging fees for removal services. Any person desiring to possess, import, export, breed, raise, protect, rehabilitate, hunt, kill, trap, capture, purchase, or sell any wildlife native to Maryland shall first obtain a permit or license from the Department. That broad language sounds restrictive, but specific exemptions exist for property owners dealing with damage on their own land.
Non-lethal deterrents — such as fencing, exclusion netting, motion-activated sprinklers, and habitat modification — are generally available to any homeowner without a permit. Residential properties might employ non-lethal methods such as fencing, chemical repellents, or visual and auditory deterrents. These should always be your first step before considering trapping or removal.
Pro Tip: Before attempting any removal, call the Maryland Nuisance Wildlife Hotline at 1-877-463-6497. DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service and the USDA jointly staff this line and can tell you exactly which permit, if any, applies to your situation — often in a single phone call.
Which Animals Can Be Removed Without a Permit in Maryland?
Maryland gives property owners meaningful flexibility for several common nuisance species, provided the damage is occurring on their own land. A landowner permit is required to trap chipmunks, opossums, porcupines, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, tree squirrels, and woodchucks in Maryland. That permit, however, is free and easy to obtain.
If the damage you seek to control is on your own property, you may apply for a free Landowner Permit by contacting the USDA Wildlife Services at 1-877-463-6497. This permit is issued over the phone, making it one of the most accessible wildlife management tools available to Maryland residents.
A handful of species fall outside the permit requirement entirely. A permit is not required for a landowner to hunt or trap a coyote, fox, or skunk that is damaging or destroying the personal or real property of the landowner on their land. This depredation exemption applies only on the landowner’s own property. Similarly, a hunting license and furbearer permit are not required to hunt nutria and woodchucks except in Baltimore County, where a hunting license is required to hunt woodchucks. Nutria and woodchucks may be hunted throughout the year, including Sundays.
Groundhogs (woodchucks) fall into a relatively open category. No permit is required to trap a groundhog. However, what you do with the animal after capture is still regulated — see the relocation section below for the critical details.
Important Note: Landowner exemptions apply only on property you own or legally occupy. They do not extend to a neighbor’s yard, public land, or any property where you do not hold ownership or a lease.
Which Animals Require a Licensed Wildlife Removal Professional in Maryland?
Several species in Maryland are protected under state or federal law and cannot be handled by the average homeowner under any circumstances. Attempting removal without proper authority — even with good intentions — can trigger criminal penalties.
Bats are among the most regulated animals in the state. All companies that do nuisance bat work in the state of Maryland must have a Wildlife Damage Control Operator’s permit from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, including pesticide applicators licensed by the state. The seasonal timing of bat work is equally strict. You cannot kill, trap, or remove bats during their maternity season from May through August when mothers are raising babies. Professional wildlife experts must perform exclusions using one-way doors that let bats leave but not return. Large colonies face additional review: bat colonies containing more than 10 adults, whether or not young are present, require prior approval from the Service to be excluded from buildings from March 1 to August 31.
Migratory birds — including songbirds, raptors, swallows, and most native species — are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The Migratory Bird Treaty Act is the primary legislation protecting native birds in the United States. It prohibits the “taking” of any native birds; “taking” can mean killing a wild bird or possessing parts of a wild bird, including feathers, nests, or eggs. This means you cannot legally move an active nest, even if a bird has built one in an inconvenient location on your property. It is illegal to transport, trap, or kill native non-game adult birds like Blue Jays or Mockingbirds without a permit.
A few introduced species are not covered by federal law. Introduced bird species like House Sparrows, European Starlings, Rock Pigeons, and Mute Swans are not protected by federal law. Mute Swans, though, retain protection under Maryland state law.
Bald eagles carry some of the heaviest protections of any animal in Maryland. Federal law protects these iconic birds under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, making it illegal to harm, disturb, or remove them. If one builds a nest near your home, you’ll need to contact wildlife officials immediately.
Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) are Maryland’s official state reptile and fully protected. Eastern box turtles have been Maryland’s official state reptile since 1993, and removing one from your property is illegal. Their populations have declined significantly due to habitat loss and road mortality, earning them protected status throughout the state. Many people don’t realize that even relocating a box turtle to a nearby park breaks the law.
Any species listed as endangered, threatened, or in need of conservation under COMAR 08.03.08 is also completely off-limits for private removal. The authority of a permit issued pursuant to this chapter does not allow the control of any species listed as endangered, threatened, or in need of conservation in COMAR 08.03.08.
Trapping Rules and Legal Methods in Maryland
Maryland’s trapping framework balances pest control needs against animal welfare and public safety. Whether you’re a landowner using a free permit or a licensed professional, specific rules govern which traps are legal, where they can be placed, and how they must be marked.
Trap placement restrictions are among the most important rules to know. It is illegal to set or maintain any foothold, body-gripping, or snare trap within 150 yards of a permanent human residence, though exceptions exist for wetland areas. Additionally, it is illegal to use, sell, possess, set, place, or maintain a snare trap in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. If you live in one of these densely populated counties, snare traps are simply not an option.
Trap identification is required by state law. Anyone who uses a snare, trap, or another similar device to capture wildlife must include their DNRid number either stamped on the device or affixed by metal tag. Any trap placed on private property that is owned or rented by the person placing the device is exempt from this requirement.
Prohibited trap types for wildlife damage control operators include toothed or serrated jaw traps. A wildlife damage control operator may not use toothed or serrated jaw traps. Destroying or disturbing furbearer dens is also prohibited under Maryland law.
Check intervals and transport are also regulated. Operators may not hold captured wildlife in captivity for longer than 24 hours under the authority of a damage control permit. Captured wildlife shall be transported in covered, secure containers to minimize stress to the animal and its exposure to the elements.
Trapper education applies to anyone pursuing furbearers under a Furbearer Permit. Before you can trap, you need to complete trapper education. Any person trapping or attempting to trap furbearers under the authority of a Furbearer Permit must first obtain a certificate of trapper education from the Department. Contact the Wildlife and Heritage Service at (410) 260-8540 to find trapper education courses held statewide.
Pro Tip: Written permission from the landowner is required before you trap or hunt on any property you don’t own — including publicly owned land. Always get this in writing before setting any device.
Can You Relocate Wildlife in Maryland?
Relocation sounds like the humane solution, but Maryland law places strict limits on where — and whether — you can move a captured animal. The rules vary significantly by species, and some animals cannot be relocated at all under state law.
The most important restriction involves rabies-vector species. Maryland regulations require that rabies-vector species — raccoons and skunks — be euthanized when they are live-trapped. The only exception is that the animal may be released on the property from which it was trapped. This is one of the most misunderstood rules in Maryland wildlife law. If you trap a raccoon in your backyard, you cannot legally drive it to a park or wooded area and release it. It must either be euthanized or released on-site.
For other species, relocation is possible but regulated. Once the nuisance wildlife has been captured, it must be promptly and humanely relocated to a suitable habitat where it can thrive without causing disturbances. Landowner permission is required before releasing any wildlife on a property that is not your own. The permission of the landowner or client is required to release wildlife on site as allowed.
Chemical repellents and toxic substances are also off the table as removal tools. The use of chemical repellents or toxic substances for removal is strictly prohibited, as these methods can harm not only the targeted animal but also other wildlife and the environment.
For guidance on how relocation rules compare in neighboring states, see the wildlife removal laws in Virginia and wildlife removal laws in Pennsylvania guides on this site.
Hiring a Licensed Wildlife Control Operator in Maryland
When the situation involves a protected species, a large bat colony, or any animal you’re not legally permitted to handle yourself, hiring a licensed Wildlife Damage Control Operator (WDCO) is the right move — and in many cases, the only legal one.
Maryland’s WDCO permit system is administered by the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service. A “commercial wildlife damage control operator” means a person who charges a fee or receives compensation for providing wildlife damage control services. These professionals must pass an exam, submit an application and fee, and — if they handle bats — complete a bat informational affidavit. Turn-around time for complete new and renewal applications is 10 business days.
Licensed operators must carry their permit during all wildlife control work. A wildlife damage control operator shall have the permit in the permittee’s possession while conducting wildlife damage control operations. They are also subject to ongoing record-keeping obligations. Records should include: date of the complaint, name and address of the complainant, number and species of wildlife involved, type of damage caused by the wildlife, and method of disposition. An annual report must be filed with each permit renewal by December 31.
To find a licensed operator in your county, use the DNR’s Wildlife Damage Control Permit page, which includes a county-by-county list of operators available for hire. You can also call the nuisance wildlife hotline at 1-877-463-6497 for a referral.
One ethical constraint worth knowing: the sale, trade, barter, or transfer to another person of any live or dead wildlife acquired under the authority of a damage control permit is prohibited. A licensed operator cannot sell the animals they remove.
Key Insight: When comparing quotes from wildlife control companies, confirm the operator holds a current Maryland WDCO permit. Unlicensed operators put you at legal risk too — if work is performed illegally on your property, you may share liability for any violations.
If you’re dealing with wildlife issues in other parts of the Mid-Atlantic or Southeast, the wildlife removal laws in North Carolina and wildlife removal laws in New Jersey guides cover comparable regulatory frameworks.
Penalties for Illegal Wildlife Removal in Maryland
Maryland enforces its wildlife laws through the Natural Resources Police, and the consequences for violations range from civil fines to criminal prosecution, depending on the species and the nature of the offense.
Endangered and threatened species violations carry the harshest penalties under state law. Any person who violates the provisions of § 10-2A-05, fails to procure any permit required by that section, or violates the terms of any permit shall be fined not more than $1,000 or be imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. Law enforcement can also seize equipment used in the violation. Any Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer may conduct searches as provided by law, and execute a warrant to search for and seize any equipment, business records, merchandise, wildlife, or plants taken, used, or possessed in connection with a violation.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations fall under federal jurisdiction and carry their own separate penalties. According to the Maryland DNR’s Migratory Bird Treaty Act page, while the law is not often enforced, penalties are severe — up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $15,000. Equipment used to pursue, hunt, or trap can also be seized.
Bald eagle violations reach a different level entirely. Penalties for violations can include fines up to $100,000 and prison time. Federal prosecutions under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act are taken seriously by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enforcement agents.
General wildlife law violations — such as trapping without a permit, using prohibited trap types, or failing to check traps within the required interval — result in fines, citations, and potential permit revocation. Individuals found guilty of violating wildlife laws may face legal consequences such as monetary fines, suspension or revocation of permits or licenses, and even criminal charges in severe cases. Repeat offenders may experience escalated penalties, leading to more substantial fines or harsher legal actions.
Beyond fines, a federal wildlife conviction can result in loss of hunting and fishing privileges, revocation of professional permits, and a permanent federal record that complicates future licensing and employment.
The bottom line: the cost of doing it wrong far exceeds the cost of doing it right. Whether that means calling the DNR hotline, obtaining a free landowner permit, or hiring a licensed WDCO, Maryland gives you legal pathways for almost every nuisance wildlife situation — use them.
For a broader look at how wildlife removal laws vary across the country, explore the guides for Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, and Florida on this site.