Raccoons are one of the most common wildlife conflicts Massachusetts homeowners face. Whether one has moved into your attic, raided your trash for the third night in a row, or is threatening your chickens, your first instinct might be to get rid of it permanently. But before you act, you need to know exactly what state law allows — and what can land you in serious trouble.
The short answer is yes, you can kill raccoons in Massachusetts under specific circumstances. However, the rules around when, how, and who can legally do it are more layered than most people expect. This guide walks through every relevant regulation so you can handle your raccoon problem without running afoul of Massachusetts law.
Are Raccoons Protected in Massachusetts?
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are not a protected species under Massachusetts law. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, also known as MassWildlife, oversees wildlife management in the state and has established rules and regulations for trapping and removing wildlife that must be followed. Raccoons fall into the category of fur-bearing mammals that are subject to regulated hunting and trapping seasons — not species that are off-limits year-round.
That said, “not protected” does not mean “no rules apply.” Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 131, Section 37, gives property owners the right to use lawful means to destroy wildlife in the act of causing damage or threatening personal safety. Landowners may only destroy wildlife actually causing damage or posing immediate threats. No one may randomly destroy wildlife simply because it is on their property…