La. Admin. Code tit. 76 § V-125

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section V-125 - Control of Nuisance Wild Quadrupeds

A. This rule applies only to the control of the wild quadrupeds listed below and only when they are conclusively proven to be creating a nuisance or causing damage to property. The burden of establishing that the animal in question is causing the property damage shall rest with the property owner.

B. The following wild quadrupeds may be taken year-round without permit by the property owner or his designee, with written landowner permission, but only by trapping or shooting during legal daylight hours:

1. coyote;

2. armadillo;

3. nutria;

4. beaver;

5. skunks; and

6. opossums.

C. Squirrels, rabbits, foxes, bobcats, mink, otter, muskrat, raccoons and any of the other species listed above may be trapped alive and relocated to suitable habitat without permit provided the following conditions are met.

1. Written permission is obtained from the property owner where the animals are to be released and such written permission is carried in possession while transport and release activities are taking place.

2. Animals are treated in a responsible and humane manner and released within 12 hours of capture.

D. Traps shall be set in such a manner that provides the trapped animal protection from harassment from dogs and other animals and direct sun exposure.

E. Nuisance animals listed above may be so controlled by the property owner or his designee with written landowner permission, to prevent further damage.

F. Property owners must comply with all additional local laws and/or municipal ordinances governing the shooting or trapping of wildlife or discharge of firearms.

G. No animal taken under this provision or parts thereof shall be sold. A valid trapping license is required to sell or pelt nuisance furbearers during the open trapping season.

H. No species taken under the provisions of this rule shall be kept in possession for a period of time exceeding 12 hours.

I. This Rule has no application to any species of bird as birds are the subject of other state and federal laws, rules and regulations.

J. Game animals, other than squirrels and rabbits, may only be taken by hunting during the open season under the conditions set forth under Title 56 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes and the rules and regulations of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

K. A permit may be issued to landowners or their designees to take white-tailed deer during the closed season when deer are causing substantial damage to commercial agricultural crops or orchards. Crops or orchards of less than 5 acres will not be considered for permits unless alternative exclusionary methods, including electric fencing, have been attempted and proven unsuccessful. Loss of 25 percent or more of the expected production or value of a crop must be documented by a Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry crop specialist or Louisiana State University Cooperative Extension Service agent. Emergency deer removal permits may be issued by Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Wildlife Division with approval by the Deer Program Manager and Enforcement Division. Landowners or their designees may take only the number of deer recommended by a Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist and specified on the permit. Only antlerless or unbranched antlered deer are legal for removal. All deer taken under this permit must be tagged in a manner specified on the permit before being moved from the site of the kill. Deer may only be taken during daylight hours and all deer meat will be salvaged and donated to a recipient or charitable organization approved by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Biological samples may be requested by Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists for research and health monitoring purposes.

La. Admin. Code tit. 76, § V-125

Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 28:2570 (December 2002), repromulgated LR 29:51 (January 2003), LR 35:703 (April 2009).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with the Louisiana Constitution, Article IX, Section 7, R.S. 56:1, R.S. 56:5, 56:6(10) and (15), R.S. 56:112 et seq.