Nuisance Wildlife

GENERAL NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTROL OPTIONS

Kentucky’s native wildlife and plants are crucial to healthy ecosystems that support human health, high quality of life, and a vibrant economy. As land uses change, wildlife adapts in an effort to survive. The presence of wildlife in residential or urban areas is normal and should not necessarily be considered a nuisance. However, loss of natural habitat, residential or commercial developments, and some adaptations of wildlife in response to these changes can result in damage to agricultural crops or other property.

Although the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources does not have the capacity to resolve nuisance or damage situations directly, we do make available 1) self-help technical resources on this webpage and 2) verbal guidance from our staff, if necessary, to help remedy these situations. To reach a staff member who can help further explain options after you review the information on this webpage, call 1-800-858-1549 or email Info.Center@ky.gov to describe your situation. For individuals or businesses who do not wish to resolve these situations themselves, Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (see link below for a searchable directory) who meet legal requirements and are licensed by the department to operate in Kentucky may be hired to provide hands-on assistance. Additional alternatives that apply to some of these nuisance or damage situations are also explained below.

BEING A NUISANCE?
Please get in touch with a licensed NWCO personnel if a coyote is habituated and appears threatening.

Resources by Species:

There are several options for landowners and farmers to resolve wildlife conflicts. Please click on a specific animal.

Bear
Beaver
Coyote
Deer
Vulture
Bats

Helpful Links:

Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
More about Agency Nuisance Species Plans
Trapping Authorization Pursuant to KRS 150.105
Need help to ID? Check Kentucky Afield's Nature Notebook: Kentucky's Vultures

Hire a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO)

Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators are individuals who are permitted by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Services to provide professional wildlife control assistance for a fee. Find a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator in your area now.

See detailed permit information if you are a current or prospective Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator.

Seek Assistance from a Fur Trapper

Landowners and farmers who have problems with furbearers (mink, muskrat, beaver, river otter, weasel, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, bobcat, coyote, or striped skunk) may request assistance from a fur trapper during the legal trapping season. Through this program, farmers and landowners benefit by solving nuisance problems at no cost and fur trappers benefit by gaining land access for trapping opportunities. Furbearer trapping season is open from mid-November to the end of February. Fur trappers are private individuals and are not employed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Services.

Landowners May Remove Wildlife or Designate an Individual to Assist

Per KRS 150.170, landowners may deal with nuisance wildlife through scare tactics, repellents, fencing and exclusion, or removal via shooting or trapping. Contact a KDFWR Law Enforcement Officer or Wildlife Biologist in your area for assistance.