Species: Raccoon

Protection Level

Raccoons Procyon lotor are found in every county in Virginia. The raccoon is an exceptional generalist and an excellent climber that has been quite successful living near humans. These nocturnal species are often deemed as pests due to their ability to adapt to human environments.

Identification
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Legal
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In Virginia raccoons like bobcats are classified as both a game species and a fur-bearer species §29.1-100. Typically being classified as a game species and fur-bearer species indicates the species can not be hunted or trapped outside of the defined hunting season. Unlike bobcats, there is a continuous open season to trap raccoon within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth and in the counties of Arlington, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Henrico, James City, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Roanoke and York (4VAC15-210-51). At no time outside of the hunting season can a raccoon be hunted. While there is an open trapping season on raccoons a landowner should use lethal alternatives only after all non-lethal controls have been exhausted. As with all wildlife it is illegal to relocate raccoons to any area other than the property it was caught on.

In Virginia it is illegal to

• destroy or molest the dens or young of a raccoon § 29.1-521,
• set a trap where it would be likely to injure persons, dogs, stock or fowl § 29.1-521,
• not visit all traps once each day and remove all animals caught § 29.1-521,
• transport, release, or relocate a raccoon anywhere other than the property it was caught on 4VAC15-30-50, and
• poison any animal (including raccoon) other than rats and mice on your property 4VAC15-40-50.

In Virginia it is legal to

• trap raccoon on your property outside of the trapping season within the incorporated limits of any city or town and in the counties of Arlington, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Henrico, James City, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Roanoke and York (4VAC15-210-51).

Management Options
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Other Sources

Controlling Raccoon Damage, Texas Cooperative Extension

Best practices for nuisance wildlife control operators in New York State

Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife, Maryland Cooperative Extension (need to scroll to appropriate species)

Raccoons, Urban Wildlife Damage Control, Kansas Cooperative Extension

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage-1994

Life History
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Life History information can be found at the Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service Web page.

Raccoon

Disease
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There are many diseases that wildlife species are capable of carrying and transferring to humans (zoonotic diseases). While all zoonotic diseases are a serious threat to humans this website will only address those that are a concern for Virginia residents.

Rabies

Raccoon Roundworm Baylisascaris Procyonis