Raccoons are a common source of frustration for Nevada homeowners, farmers, and property managers. Whether one has been raiding your trash cans in Reno, nesting in your attic in Las Vegas, or damaging crops in rural Elko County, the question of what you can legally do about it matters — and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Nevada law gives you more flexibility with raccoons than many people expect, but it also comes with real restrictions around trapping, relocation, and discharge of firearms. Getting those details wrong can mean fines, confiscated equipment, or worse. This guide walks you through exactly what Nevada law permits, what it prohibits, and what your best options are depending on your situation.
Are Raccoons Protected in Nevada?
The common raccoon (Procyon lotor) is not a protected species under Nevada state law. Nevada has a group of game species classified as “unprotected,” meaning no hunting license is required to take them — and raccoons fall into this category, alongside ground squirrels, coyotes, badgers, skunks, black-tailed jackrabbits, European starlings, and house sparrows.
That said, “unprotected” does not mean “no rules apply.” It is important to properly identify the problem wildlife, as many animals in Nevada are protected during all or part of the year. Raccoons are not among the protected species, but other animals you might encounter during a raccoon control effort — such as migratory birds or the pygmy rabbit — are. There are a few animals in Nevada that have either federal or state-protected status under the Endangered Species Act, including the pygmy rabbit, which has state “Species of Special Concern” status and may not be hunted, trapped, killed, or harassed…