Beaver Legal Status
Because beavers’ legal status, trapping restrictions, and other information change, contact your local wildlife office for updates.
The beaver is classified as a furbearer. A trapping license and open season are required to trap or shoot a beaver.
It is unlawful to release a beaver anywhere within the state, other than on the property where it was legally trapped, without a permit to do so
To remove or modify a beaver dam you must have a Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA)—a permit issued by WDFW for work that will use, obstruct, change, or divert the bed or flow of state waters. A permit application can be obtained from your WDFW Regional Office or from the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) web page.
In emergency situations (when an immediate threat to property or life exists), verbal approval from WDFW can be obtained for work necessary to solve the problem. A 24-hour hotline (360) 902-2537 is available for emergency calls during nonworking hours. During normal hours, contact your nearest WDFW Regional Office.
The beaver is classified as a furbearer. A trapping license and open season are required to trap or shoot a beaver.
It is unlawful to release a beaver anywhere within the state, other than on the property where it was legally trapped, without a permit to do so
To remove or modify a beaver dam you must have a Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA)—a permit issued by WDFW for work that will use, obstruct, change, or divert the bed or flow of state waters. A permit application can be obtained from your WDFW Regional Office or from the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) web page.
In emergency situations (when an immediate threat to property or life exists), verbal approval from WDFW can be obtained for work necessary to solve the problem. A 24-hour hotline (360) 902-2537 is available for emergency calls during nonworking hours. During normal hours, contact your nearest WDFW Regional Office.
This information was provide by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Russell Link, and Michael Holmquist
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