Can I trap and relocate aggressive bears? in West Virginia | Black bear

West Virginia > Animal is behaving aggressively > Black bear

Can I trap and relocate aggressive bears?

  • It is only legal for trained, experienced professionals to trap, immobilize, and relocate bears.

    • The process is expensive, time-consuming, and can be dangerous if done improperly.

    • Relocation typically involves communication across several agencies. Bears usually are relocated 50-100 miles from the capture site to try to prevent their return

  • Call your local wildlife department with questions or concerns about aggressive bears.

  • Report any bear injuries to humans, pets, or livestock. If you or a pet are scratched or bitten by a bear, call your doctor or veterinarian immediately.

Assistance in West Virginia

Contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for a list of licensed Animal Damage Control agents in your area who can assist with animal removal, damage, damage prevention, and clean up.  Be aware that they charge for their services.  Your local Division of Natural Resources office can provide guidance regarding nuisance wildlife.  They can also provide you with a permit to remove or destroy certain animals, and advice on how to do so, if it is necessary or desirable for you to trap or shoot animals yourself.  Federally protected species require additional permits as noted if necessary.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources district offices:    

District 1       Farmington              304 825-6787

District 2       Romney                   304 822-3551                                                                                                                           

District 3       French Creek          304 924-6211

District 4       Beckely                   304 256-6947

District 5       Alum Creek             304 756-1023

District 6       Parkersburg            304 420-4550

Op Center    Elkins                      304 637-0245

Trapped animals must be humanely dispatched.  They may not be relocated without prior approval from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

Regulations for West Virginia

Trapping, Shooting, Keeping in Captivity, and Moving Wildlife

Trapping, Keeping in Captivity, and Moving Wildlife in West Virginia

In West Virginia, it is illegal to trap or shoot nuisance wild animals without a nuisance wildlife permit.  No permit is needed for game animals and furbearers during legal harvest seasons by hunting/trapping license holders using legal means.

It is illegal to keep wild animals in captivity.  It is illegal to move wild animals from one location to another without prior approval from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

 
While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities.

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