Yes, you can kill raccoons in Rhode Island, but only under specific legal circumstances. Raccoons are protected furbearers, but state law allows killing them as nuisance animals on your own property using legal means.
Legal Ways to Kill Raccoons in Rhode Island
1. As a Nuisance Animal on Your Property
You may kill raccoons that are:
- Killing or attempting to kill domestic animals or livestock
- Destroying agricultural crops or fruit trees
- Creating a potential health hazard
This applies only to property owners on their own property.
2. During Hunting Season with License
- Raccoons are legal to hunt with specific seasons (January-February)
- You must have a valid RI State Hunting License
- Raccoon hunting rules:
- May be taken with a gun when accompanied by a dog
- Night hunting restrictions apply (no rifle larger than 22-caliber rimfire, no shotgun shells larger than #4 shot)
- Cannot hunt at night with lights other than kerosene lantern or flashlight with ≤6 cells
- Cannot take raccoons using light from a motor vehicle
Important Restrictions
Prohibited Methods
Firearm Discharge Restrictions
- Cannot discharge a firearm within 500 feet of any occupied dwelling without the owner’s permission
- Cannot hunt on private property without owner permission
Reporting Requirements
- If you kill a furbearer under nuisance circumstances, you must report it to the Division of Fish and Wildlife
- The carcass must be made available to the Division and cannot be kept by the property owner
Bottom Line
You can legally kill raccoons in Rhode Island if you’re a property owner dealing with nuisance animals damaging property or livestock, or if you’re hunting during legal season with proper licensing. However, you must use legal methods, comply with firearm discharge zones, and follow reporting requirements for nuisance kills.
SOURCES:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/RhodeIsland/comments/jpliov/til_its_legal_to_own_a_raccoon_in_rhode_island/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-20/chapter-20-16/section-20-16-4/
