Is it legal to trap squirrels?

[Captain Claptrap]

I'm having a bad time with squirrels on my feeder. I'd like to conibear them, but I cannot find anything for certain about trapping them.

https://georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/23GAHD.pdf

that doesn't say for sure but refers to this site: gohuntgeorgia.com ... which eventually leads here: https://georgiawildlife.com/regulations/trapping
My guess is its legal during regular squirrel season, but I'm particular about finding actual wording that spells it out legally.

Can someone point to an authoritative source about squirrel trapping please?

Also, I cannot find a way to search the forum. Am I missing it, or did they think that was no longer useful?

 

[crackerdave]

The only trapping I've seen is people live trapping them and using a caged squirrel to train a dog to tree them.

I would suggest a good pellet gun.

 

[GeorgiaBob]

I suspect - but you really need a real Georgia game official to answer this - I suspect that if you trap them and release them in the same general area (but away from your home) that you would avoid running afoul of most trapping regulations BUT there is probably some regs on how and where the tree rats can be released.

@Killmaster on here, or your local game warden, can probably steer you towards a safe and legal method.

 

[sportsman94]

I’m not an expert, but I believe you cannot legally trap squirrels in GA unless you have a nuisance control permit. General trapping is only for animals listed as furbearers or those animals listed as non game species (coyotes, beavers, armadillos, etc).

 

[Railroader]

Trapping them is illegal, but the hunting season came in the 15th of this month.

Shoot em.

 

[Throwback]

No
It is not legal to trap squirrels in Georgia as there is no legal trapping season for squirrels just like there is no legal season to trap deer or turkeys.

It is legal for a licensed nuisance wildlife trapper to trap them under permit when they are damaging property like houses etc because they can cause serious damage to a house.

 

[Captain Claptrap]

Guess I'll have to work some kind of chicken wire solution then. Thanks.

 

[ssramage]

If it's not legal, don't tell my boys.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Conibears are really too big for squirrels, honestly. Those big wharf rat traps that look like giant mouse traps would be a better choice for illegal squirrel trapping, anyway.

 

[1eyefishing]

How are they getting to the feeders.
A mixture of cayenne pepper and vaseline will learn them not to climb a pole or slide down a wire.
Entertaining for a minute, too.

 

[JustUs4All]

Is it legal to trap rats in Georgia? They are not listed among the fur bearing animals that may be trapped and the regs seem to say that only listed fur bearing animals may be trapped in Georgia.

If they may be trapped what should be done with the squirrels that trespass their way into the rat traps? If they must be released is there any regulation as to where and how they must be released?

 

[ryanh487]

It is 100% legal to trap rats. If you happen to accidentally catch squirrels and chipmunks more often than rats In a snap trap it is what it is.

 

[Waddams]

My uncle swore by a product called Tanglefoot. It was a non-hardening gel that came in a tube he'd squeeze along the edges of surfaces he wanted them to stay off. I've never used it, though. Have thought about trying it to keep the squirrels off my wife's bird feeders.

 

[mizzippi jb]

I have heard that a squirrelinator trap that can be purchased from the internet works great with black oil sunflower seeds in stated that it's legal to trap squirrels. But they'll die real quick when it's this hot.

 

[Throwback]

With my above caveat post—I can tell you they like traps baited with peanut butter and pecans too

 

[mizzippi jb]

Having read all of this.... If any of you need rid of squirrels by the legal method of a dog that will tree said squirrel and persons can dispatch with firearms, I could surely assist.

 

[NCHillbilly]

A despicable true outlaw would probably do something like this: https://survivalist101.com/squirrel-pole-snare-trap/

 

[antharper]

A despicable true outlaw would probably do something like this: https://survivalist101.com/squirrel-pole-snare-trap/

I may have to try that

 

[C.Killmaster]

They are getting into your attic, right? Call your local Game Management office and request a permit to trap squirrels that are causing damage to your home.

 

[crackerdave]

Super glue a pecan half to the trigger of a rat trap.