Kentucky is home to a wide range of wildlife — from raccoons raiding attics in Louisville to groundhogs tunneling under sheds in Lexington. When an animal becomes a problem, your first instinct may be to handle it yourself. Before you set a trap or move an animal to a nearby park, you need to understand the rules that govern what you can and cannot do.
Wildlife in Kentucky is property of the state, managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). There are strict laws governing how, when, and by whom these animals can be handled, and violating those laws can result in significant fines. This guide walks you through every major rule you need to know before taking action on your property.
Can You Remove Wildlife Yourself in Kentucky?
The short answer is: sometimes, but with clear limits. Kentucky gives landowners more flexibility than many states, but that flexibility comes with specific conditions you must follow.
Resident landowners, their spouses, or dependent children who kill or trap wildlife causing damage to their lands or personal property are not required to have a hunting or trapping license. Tenants or their dependent children residing on those lands share the same privilege. This is one of the more homeowner-friendly provisions in the state code…