Raccoons are a fact of life in Rhode Island. Whether one has torn apart your garden, raided your garbage cans, or taken up residence in your attic, the question of what you can legally do about it is not always straightforward. The short answer is yes — but only under specific circumstances and using specific methods.
Rhode Island law draws a clear line between lawful removal and illegal killing. Cross that line and you risk fines, loss of hunting or trapping privileges, and potential criminal liability. This guide walks you through exactly what the state permits, what it forbids, and how to handle a raccoon problem without running afoul of the law.
Are Raccoons Protected in Rhode Island?
Yes — raccoons carry legal protection under Rhode Island state law. In Rhode Island, raccoons are classified as protected furbearers under Rhode Island General Law (RIGL 20-16-2). That classification means you cannot simply shoot or trap one whenever you feel like it.
Being a protected furbearer does not mean raccoons are off-limits entirely. It means the state regulates how, when, and why they can be taken. No person shall hunt, pursue, shoot, or trap furbearing mammals in Rhode Island except in accordance with rules and regulations governing seasons, bag limits, and methods of taking adopted by the director of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM)…