Can I trap and relocate problem beavers? in Delaware | Beaver

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Can I trap and relocate problem beavers?

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Live trap for removal of Beaver

The live trapping and translocation of beaver is generally not recommended and illegal in many states. Relocated beavers rarely stay in the area they are released and could cause problems in other areas. Survival of relocated beavers is often low, since they are unfamiliar with food resources and the best habitats are already occupied by other beavers who defend their territories. Lastly, moving beaver in the fall, affects their ability to develop an adequate food cache for the winter, potentially resulting in starvation.

Therefore, live trapping and translocation is generally a poor solution for resolving human-beaver conflicts.. Live traps suitable for capturing beavers are expensive, cumbersome to use, and require professional expertise. In most states, any trap used is required to be checked daily.

Nuisance Beaver

Beavers may be hunted or trapped from December 1 through March 20, landowners (or their agents) may take up to eight beavers from their property without a permit, provided the beavers are causing crop or property damage. Landowners must comply with all state and local firearms ordinances, and trappings regulations.

The Division receives an annual allocation of funding for the removal of nuisance beavers. If you are experiencing damage caused by beavers and would like to have them removed please contact the Division at 302-735-3600.

State specific solution - Delaware - How to trap and relocate animals

Wildlife that are relocated must be released in suitable habitat, preferably within 10 miles of the capture location. Wildlife are not to be released in an area close to human dwellings or businesses, which would result in a transfer of, rather than a solution to, the nuisance problem. Wildlife shall NOT be released within the city limits of any city, State Wildlife Area, State Park property, or National Wildlife Refuge. Landowner permission is required before any wildlife are released onto a new location.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

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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