When there's a raccoon in the attic or an armadillo tearing up the yard, a lot of
Marietta homeowners reach for a store-bought trap and figure they'll handle it
themselves. Before you do, it's worth knowing what Georgia law actually allows,
because the rules around trapping and relocating wildlife are stricter than most
people expect.
Georgia regulates nuisance-wildlife trapping
In Georgia, capturing and handling nuisance wildlife is governed by the state's
Department of Natural Resources, and doing it as a service requires proper
nuisance-wildlife permitting. There are also rules about how animals can be handled
and what you're allowed to do with them once caught: you generally can't just trap
an animal and release it wherever you like. The specifics matter, and they're easy
to get wrong.
Why this trips people up
Relocation is the big one. It feels humane to drive a raccoon out to the woods and
let it go, but relocation is restricted, can be illegal depending on the situation,
and often isn't even humane (relocated animals frequently don't survive in
unfamiliar territory, and if it's a mother, her young are left behind to die in your
attic). Certain species carry additional protections, too. What seems like a simple
fix can put you on the wrong side of the rules.
The practical takeaway
For a one-off animal in the yard, homeowners have some options, but for anything
in your home, involving young, or involving a protected species like bats, this is
work for a licensed professional who knows Georgia's requirements and handles the
animals legally and humanely.
Marietta Wildlife Removal is fully licensed and insured for nuisance-wildlife work in Georgia,
so your problem gets solved the right way, and the legal way. Call (678) 693-3668 with
your wildlife question, 24/7.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and situations
vary. Check current Georgia DNR guidance for specifics.