The attached text applies to nuisance wildlife control people and wildlife rehabilitators. 

Note:  Passages regarding raccoons are italicized.  No other person/s may legally take or possess a live wild raccoon, or transport a live wild raccoon in Michigan.  The importation of a live raccoon (captive or wild) has been unlawful for several decades (Information provided by MDNR Law Enforcement Division).

All Damage and Nuisance Control Permits

5.51 Damage and nuisance animal control permit, issuance.
(7) Effective February 1, 2000, live raccoons captured under a damage and nuisance animal control permit shall be possessed and released only as follows:

1. Raccoons, if released, shall be released only in the same county where captured and if held in captivity shall be isolated in a manner to prevent physical contact with animals not originating from the same county. Each cage shall be tagged by the permittee with the county of origin and date of capture.
   
   
2. Cages and areas used to hold raccoons for release shall be constructed of materials that can be effectively disinfected.
   
   
3. If a raccoon has come into physical contact with a raccoon originating from another or unknown county of origin, both raccoons shall be isolated from physical contact with other raccoons and humanely euthanized within 24 hours of exposure.

History: Eff. Mar. 31, 1989; Am. 21, 1990, Eff. Dec. 15, 1990; Am. 2, 1996, Eff. Apr. 1, 1996; Am. 1, 2000, Eff. Feb. 1, 2000.

All Rehabilitation Permits

5.74a Animals of special concern, possession, transportation and disposal.
Sec. 5.74a. Animals of special concern are as follows:

(2) Skunks and bats of special concern – all wild skunks and bats. Live skunks and bats shall not be possessed.

(3) Raccoons of special concern – all wild raccoons. Live raccoons may be possessed and released only as follows:

1. Raccoons shall be released only in the same county where captured and shall be isolated in a manner to prevent physical contact with animals not originating from the same county. Each cage shall be tagged by the permittee with the county of origin and date of capture.
   
   
2. Cages and areas used to hold raccoons for release shall be constructed of materials that can be effectively disinfected.
   
   
3. If the capture point of a raccoon cannot be positively confirmed to be from a particular county, the raccoon shall be isolated from physical contact with other raccoons and humanely euthanized within 24 hours of receipt. If a raccoon has come into physical contact with a raccoon originating from another or unknown county of origin, both raccoons shall be isolated from physical contact with other raccoons and humanely euthanized within 24 hours of exposure.

History: Am. 11, 2003, Eff. June 8, 2003.

This page is maintained by The Michigan Department of Natural Resources