Squirrel Legal Status
Because legal status, trapping restrictions, and other information about squirrels change, contact your local Animal Evictor office for updates.
The Western gray squirrel is classified as a threatened species and cannot be hunted, trapped, or killed. The red squirrel, Douglas squirrel, and Northern flying squirrel are protected species and can be trapped or killed only in emergency situations when they are damaging crops or domestic animals. A special permit is required in such situations. However most nuisance squirrels in the Puget sound area are Eastern Gray Squirrels.
The Eastern gray squirrel and Eastern fox squirrel are unclassified and may be trapped or killed year-round as long as you have a hunting license. In such cases, no special trapping permit is necessary for the use of live traps. However, a special trapping permit is required for the use of all traps other than live traps
It is unlawful to release a squirrel anywhere within the state, other than on the property where it was legally trapped, without a permit to do so.
The Western gray squirrel is classified as a threatened species and cannot be hunted, trapped, or killed. The red squirrel, Douglas squirrel, and Northern flying squirrel are protected species and can be trapped or killed only in emergency situations when they are damaging crops or domestic animals. A special permit is required in such situations. However most nuisance squirrels in the Puget sound area are Eastern Gray Squirrels.
The Eastern gray squirrel and Eastern fox squirrel are unclassified and may be trapped or killed year-round as long as you have a hunting license. In such cases, no special trapping permit is necessary for the use of live traps. However, a special trapping permit is required for the use of all traps other than live traps
It is unlawful to release a squirrel anywhere within the state, other than on the property where it was legally trapped, without a permit to do so.
This information was provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Russell Link, and Michael Holmquist
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