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It is a state requirement that all wildlife be controlled in as humane a manner as possible! Unnecessarily cruel methods of control are illegal and are punishable by law!
Please be advised that chemical control by itself is not a solution to pest wildlife problems, but as part of an integrated pest management program,
chemicals can be useful tools.
These products are registered by the Indiana state chemist office and
have legal use in Indiana; inclusion of these products on
this web site does not constitute endorsement from
USDA APHIS WS, IDNR OR OISC.
To view specific recommendations click here.
If it is necessary to dispose of a wild animal, the state of Indiana requires that it be done in one of the following manners:
Please consult with your local DNR Conservation Officer before choosing a method! All methods may not be available in all areas!
- Shooting (With proper firearm and in rural areas only)
- Euthanasia by injection (administered by veterinarian)*
- Euthanasia by gas chamber (administered by local animal control office or nuisance wildlife professional)*
*These methods may incur a fee.
Carcass Disposal
- Incineration
- Bury at least four feet below ground and away from bodies of water.
- Rendering
- Composting
For more information check with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health
If the animal is to be relocated, you must have the permission of the landowner or property manager, (including federal, state and county properties such as parks, forests, etc.) to release the wild animal on their property.
It is suggested that you take the animal at least 10 miles away, and stay within your county limits when releasing wildlife. Check with your DNR Conservation Officer for specific release guidelines.
If you release the animal back onto your own property, be sure that you have fixed all of the animal's entrances to your property so that you do not immediately repeat the problem.
Birds
Starlings, House or English Sparrows and Pigeons are not restricted species.
All other birds are protected under state or federal guidelines. Simplified guidelines follow:
Songbirds (ex. Cardinal, Blue Jay, Robin, etc.) Swallows (ex. Martin, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, etc.), Blackbirds* ( ex. Crow, Cowbird, Grackle, etc.), Woodpeckers (ex. Downy, Hairy, Pileated, Sapsucker, etc.), Waterfowl (ex. Canada Geese, Mallard, etc.), Shore birds (ex. Great Blue Heron, Crane, Seagull, etc.), and Raptors (ex. Hawk, Owl, Falcon, Eagle, Vultures etc.) are protected by state or federal laws. No disposal or possession of these birds is allowed without proper permit. Check Laws and Regulations Section: Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Control suggestions are: harassment techniques, eliminating or protecting food source, trimming and netting trees, barriers, mylar tape, and high pressure water hoses.
See specific species for detailed control information.
* "Brown-headed cowbirds, common grackles, red-winged blackbirds, rusty blackbirds, and Brewer's blackbirds may be taken (disposed of) if the birds are committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife; or are concentrated in numbers and in a manner which constitutes a health hazard or nuisance..." [Excerpted from the Fish and Wildlife Administrative Rules, Department of Fish and Wildlife.]
Mammals
Groundhogs, Chipmunks, Red and Thirteen-Lined Ground squirrels, Moles, and certain bat species* (see specific species for detailed information) are not restricted species. All other mammals are required to be handled in a specified manner.
* Positively identify the species of bat in question before implementing any control method.
Furbearers
Raccoon*, Opossum, Skunk, Red and Gray Fox, and Coyote have a hunting season. Check with your local DNR Conservation Officer for hunting regulations and seasons. When they become a nuisance, it is legal to trap, release, relocate (relocation requires permission from land owner or property manager; this includes federal, state, and county properties), or dispose of these animals (according to the disposal guidelines). It is necessary to report any action to your local DNR Conservation Officer within 72 hours of trapping, releasing, relocating or disposing. Other suggestions are: eliminating or protecting food sources, fencing, trapping, noise, and light.
See specific species for detailed control information.
* Before trapping you must ask your local DNR Conservation Officer for raccoon release, relocation or disposal instructions. Not all areas have the same guidelines.
Woodland Game
Wild Turkey, Gray and Fox Squirrel, Ruffed Grouse and Deer have hunting seasons. Check with your local DNR Conservation Officer for hunting regulations and seasons.
When these become a nuisance, some suggestions are:
Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse:
- harassment techniques, eliminating or protecting food sources
Gray and Fox Squirrel:
- barriers, eliminating or protecting food sources, legal repellents, and trapping (You must report the taking of the animal to your local DNR Conservation Officer within 72 hours.)
Deer:
- harassment, fencing, eliminating or protecting food sources, legal repellents, legal harvest in rural areas only (Contact your local DNR Conservation Officer for hunting regulations and seasons.)
Upland Game:
Pheasant, Quail, and Rabbit have hunting seasons. Check with your local DNR Conservation Officer for hunting regulations and seasons.
When these become a nuisance, some suggestions are:
Pheasant and Quail:
- harassment, eliminating or protecting food sources, fencing
Rabbit:
- fencing, eliminating or protecting food sources, trapping (Contact your local DNR Conservation Officer before any action. It is necessary to get a permit or verbal permission.)
Other:
Crows have a hunting season. Check with your local DNR Conservation Officer for hunting regulations and seasons. When these become a nuisance, some suggestions are: harassment techniques, eliminating or protecting food sources, netting and trimming trees, and shooting (in permitted areas).
Frogs have a hunting season. Check with your local DNR Conservation Officer for hunting and trapping regulations and seasons. When these become a nuisance, talk to your local District Wildlife Biologist or DNR Conservation Officer to get a permit.
Nuisance wildlife that are legal to trap, including raccoons, Gray and Fox squirrels, opossums, coyotes, fox, muskrats, and beavers (before trapping rabbits you must contact your local DNR Conservation Officer, should remain in a trap less than 12 hours. Always check traps throughout the day. In city limits, use cage traps only. No body gripping traps are allowed, unless you live in a rural area. Make sure to check ordinances and your local DNR Conservation Officer for laws and regulations regarding the use of any snares and Conibear traps.
Before releasing any trapped wild animal into a new location, make sure that you have permission of the property owner or manager. This includes privately owned and managed properties, such as rural farmlands or woodlands, and public owned and managed properties such as city, county, state or federally managed lands.
Suggestions:
- Any wild animal in a cage trap will be scared, threatened, and showing lots of teeth. Cover the cage trap with an old blanket, making sure you make a slit in the cloth so you can push the cage handle through (doing this during initial trap setup will minimize the possibility of being bitten!). This will help keep the wild animal calm while you transport it to a new, more appropriate location.
- Do not transport a wild animal inside any vehicle! A pickup truck, with or without a cap, is the safest mode of transport (and the easiest to clean up, should your captive decide to leave you a "going away gift"!).
A hunting license is required to hunt wild animals in season. Check with your local DNR Conservation Officer for information on hunting seasons, licenses, and laws and regulations. Any poaching (illegal trapping or killing of wildlife) can be reported to 1-800-TIP-IDNR or click here.
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