Controlling Nuisance Mammals
Many of the mammals in Illinois are legally protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code. If you need help with mammal identification, visit our animal identification guide. The Directory of Illinois Wildlife provides information on how to prevent and solve problems with mammals.
If the mammal is a:
- White-tailed Deer
- Small Mammal (Mouse, Rat, Vole)
- Squirrel
- Rabbit
- Furbearer (Raccoon, Opossum, Skunk...)
- Woodchuck
- Bat
White-tailed Deer:
A permit is needed. Go to Controlling Nuisance White-tailed Deer for more information.
Small Mammal:
Most small mammals may be killed or removed without a permit. This group includes house mice, Norway rats, moles, voles, gophers, and shrews. Exceptions include the eastern woodrat and rice rat, which are listed as endangered or threatened species in Illinois. These two species may not be removed.
Squirrel:
Ground Squirrel
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels and eastern chipmunks may be removed without a permit. Franklin’s ground squirrels are listed as threatened in Illinois and may not be removed.
Tree Squirrel
Tree squirrels include gray squirrels, fox squirrels, red squirrels, and southern flying squirrels.
In urban or suburban areas, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recommends hiring a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator to remove tree squirrels that are damaging property or causing risks to human health or safety.
Landowners and tenants who want to remove tree squirrels themselves should contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist to see if they qualify for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit.
In rural areas, gray squirrels and fox squirrels may be taken during open hunting seasons. All Illinois hunting regulations must be followed. Red squirrels and southern flying squirrels are protected by continuous closed season (i.e. these species may not be taken under authority of a hunting license).
For more information on hunting regulations, visit the IDNR Licenses & Hunting site.
Rabbit
In urban or suburban areas, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recommends hiring a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator to remove rabbits that are causing substantial property damage. Landowners and tenants who want to remove rabbits themselves should contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist to see if they qualify for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit.
In rural areas, rabbits may be taken during open hunting seasons. All Illinois hunting regulations must be followed. For more information on hunting regulations, visit the IDNR Licenses & Hunting site.
Furbearer
Furbearers include raccoons, opossums, skunks, beavers, muskrats, coyotes, red foxes, gray foxes, mink, river otters, badgers, weasels, and bobcats.
In urban or suburban areas, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recommends hiring a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) to remove furbearers that are damaging property or causing risks to human health or safety.
Landowners and tenants who want to remove furbearers themselves should contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist to see if they qualify for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit.
In rural areas, the IDNR encourages removal of most furbearers during open hunting and trapping seasons whenever possible. Exceptions include river otter and bobcat. These two species are protected by continuous closed season (i.e. these species may not be taken under authority of a hunting or trapping license). All Illinois hunting regulations must be followed. For more information on hunting and trapping regulations, visit the IDNR Licenses & Hunting site.
For more information, download the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Hunting Digest.
Woodchuck
In urban or suburban areas, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recommends hiring a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) to remove woodchucks that are causing substantial property damage.
Landowners and tenants who want to remove woodchucks themselves should contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist to see if they qualify for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit.
In rural areas, woodchucks may be removed during open hunting and trapping seasons. All Illinois hunting regulations must be followed. For more information on hunting and trapping regulations, visit the IDNR Licenses & Hunting site.
For more information, download the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Hunting Digest.
Bat
Contact your local animal control agency or the Illinois Department of Public Health if you find a bat in the living quarters of your home and think people or pets might have been bitten.
Bats inside rooms will exit on their own. Close off the room and keep windows open and clear of obstructions overnight.
Removal of bat colonies from buildings is best done by a licensed professional with experience.
