Nuisance Wildlife

Beaver, coyote, muskrat, nutria, opossum, raccoon, squirrel, striped skunk and nongame wildlife other than migratory birds, bats, and endangered species that are causing damage to personal property may be taken during daylight hours or trapped the entire year. Bats that have bitten or otherwise potentially exposed a human, pet or livestock to rabies may be killed provided that they are submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health for rabies testing. Rodenticides may be used to control mice and rats, but poisons or chemicals may not be used to kill any other animal. English sparrows, blackbirds, starlings and crows committing damage to agriculture crops and personal property may be taken without a permit.

A Depredation Permit is required to trap nuisance game animals other than beaver, coyote, muskrat, nutria, opossum, raccoon, squirrel, and striped skunk outside of the trapping season. A Depredation Permit is required to shoot any nuisance wildlife at night. Landowners or their designees with Depredation Permits may use any trapping method legal for use in the fur-trapping season. Conibear or comparable body-gripping traps with jaw spreads of up to 10 inches may be used inside buildings. Cage-style live traps may be used. Traps set in the outdoors must be marked in accordance with Code 10.07. Firearms may be used at day or night if specifically approved by the Commission employee issuing the Depredation Permit. Depredation Permits may be obtained from Commission Wildlife Officers or Wildlife Biologists. Please contact your nearest regional office for more information. Those wishing to take bobcat, coyote, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, red fox or striped skunk that are causing problems on private lands outside of cities or towns may do so in accordance with a Predator Control Permit issued by the Commission.

Live traps: Nuisance animals, other than bear or alligator, may also be removed by landowners (or their designees) at any time without a Depredation Permit with the use of live traps. Trapping in towns must be in compliance with municipal ordinances. Live captured nuisance wildlife must be released unharmed on private land with landowner permission in the county of capture or adjacent to the county of capture outside a municipalities boundaries within 24 hours. Live traps must have the trapper’s name and address or his vehicle operator ’s license number or the current vehicle license number registered to the trap user.