Okla. Admin. Code § 800:25-37-5

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 800:25-37-5 - Procedures and guidelines

The following regulations for a NWCO permit shall be in effect to establish what species of wildlife may be taken under such a permit, the legal methods that may be used to control nuisance wildlife under such a permit, and the legal methods of disposal of nuisance wildlife under such permit.

(1) NWCO Permittees are only authorized to trap and relocate or euthanize the following wildlife species when such action is warranted by a valid nuisance wildlife complaint including, but not limited to: armadillo, badger, bats, beaver, bobcat, coyote, jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, red fox, gray fox, porcupine, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, raccoon, river otter, snakes, striped skunk, and weasel.

(2) Problems and complaints concerning deer, elk, turkey, bear, alligator, antelope, mountain lion, big horn sheep, endangered or threatened species and game birds will only be handled when specifically authorized in writing by the Director of the ODWC.

(3) The sale, trade, barter, gifting, or retention of any wildlife, or parts thereof, except coyotes and beavers, taken under authority of a NWCO permit is prohibited, except wildlife legally taken during established trapping seasons and in accordance with all other pertinent rules and laws not associated with NWCO rules may be sold or otherwise disposed of as provided by law.

(4) The sale, trade, barter, gifting or retention of beavers, coyotes, or parts thereof, taken under authority of a NWCO permitted is allowed with the proper documentation containing the taker's name and permit number.

(5) NWCO permittees must follow all state and federal laws that apply to the taking of wildlife with the exception of season dates and bag limits except as otherwise provided in this section.

(6) Only damage or nuisance complaints affecting humans and/or their property may be controlled. Complaints involving conflicts between two or more wildlife species are not valid nuisance wildlife complaints.

(7) All wildlife taken under a NWCO permit shall be taken and disposed of in a manner to ensure safe and effective handling and/or euthanasia. Euthanasia of a captured animal is to be performed under the guidelines adopted by the American Veterinary Medicine Association.

(8) Traps and other similar devices set by a NWCO shall be checked at least once every 24 hours and all animals removed. Traps must have the Operators name and NWCO permit number attached.

(9) The following are legal methods of control under a NWCO permit:

(A) box or live trap;

(B) smooth-jawed single spring or double springup to four coil offset steel leg-hold traps with a jaw spread of no more than eightand one half inches;

(C) body gripping style traps less than size 330, except size 330 may be used for water sets for beavers only;

(D) shooting where permitted by law or by city ordinance;

(E) snares which shall have a locking device that prevents the loop from closing to a circumference less than ten (10) inches if the snare is set on or just above ground level. If the snare is set in an attic or similar situation there is no loop restriction; and

(F) enclosed trigger traps.

(10) All trapping devices must be placed in a manner that will:

(A) minimize the risk of non-target animals;

(B) minimize the risk to public and pets; and

(C) every effort must be made for trapping devices to be out of the view of the general public when at all possible.

(D) signs must be posted in conspicuous places in order to inform the public that traps are in use.

(E) signs must have minimum dimensions of five inches by eight inches and the wording "TRAPS" must be included and be conspicuous on the signs and printed in letters at least two inches tall.

(11) Shooting with firearms shall be subject to all state, county and municipal restrictions and ordinances. Night shooting is allowed for nuisance beavers only under the following conditions:

(A) NWCO must notify the game warden(s) in the county where activity will occur twenty-four (24) hours prior to such activity;

(B) must be conducted in a safe manner to prevent injury to people, livestock and damage to personal property.

(12) When relocation is authorized, the NWCO may have the wildlife in possession for no more than 24 hours unless specifically authorized by the Department.

(13) Wildlife not euthanized, but is relocated, shall be released outside any city limit but not more than one county distant from the capture site and must be within the state of Oklahoma.

(14) Wildlife shall not be released on private land without written permission of the landowner or landowner designee.

(15) Wildlife shall not be released on public land without first obtaining written permission from the governmental entity owning or administering the release property.

(16) Captured wildlife that appears to be sick or diseased shall be euthanized rather than relocated. Burial or incineration of these carcasses is required.

Okla. Admin. Code § 800:25-37-5

Added at 19 Ok Reg 1526, eff 7-1-02; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2119, eff 7-1-08

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 23, August 17, 2015, eff. 9/1/2015

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 24, September 1, 2021, eff. 9/11/2021