How to euthanize problem porcupines in Massachusetts | Porcupine

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Massachusetts > Animal is gnawing bark and clipping twigs from trees and shrubs > Porcupine

You can effectively capture porcupines using size 2 or 3, steel, foot-hold traps. Set the trap near an active porcupine den, used trail or the damage site and bait a small enclosed space with a saltwater-soaked piece of leather or wood, salt mixed with cooking oil or vegetable pieces such as carrot, turnip, etc. Use caution setting and baiting traps to avoid trapping other animals. Trapped porcupines should be humanely killed using a small caliber pistol or rifle.

Problem porcupines can also be shot with small caliber firearms. Consult state regulations and local firearms ordinances.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

Regulations for Massachusetts

Relocation of Wildlife No person shall transport any fish or wildlife species in Massachusetts. Exceptions to transporting and liberating wildlife in Massachusetts include: (a) Permitted Massachusetts wildlife rehabilitators may transport within Massachusetts and liberate rehabilitated wildlife; (b) a permitted Massachusetts problem animal control agent may liberate problem animals at the site of capture, or may transport within Massachusetts such animals to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or for the purposes of euthanasia.
Killing of Wildlife by Owner or Tenant of Land Under Mass.General Law 131, Section 37, a property owner or tenant of land may hunt or take by other means, except by poison or snare, any mammal which he finds damaging his property, provided that such killing is not contrary to any federal law or regulation. Animals killed under this law, must be reported to authorities within 24 hours.
Trap Types Restricted in Massachusetts A person shall not use, set, place, maintain, manufacture or possess any trap for the purpose of capturing furbearing mammals, except for common type mouse and rat traps, nets, and box or cage type traps, as otherwise permitted by law. A box or cage type trap is one that confines the whole animal without grasping any part of the animal, including Hancock or Bailey's type live trap for beavers. Other than nets and common type mouse or rat traps, traps designed to capture and hold a furbearing mammal by gripping the mammal's body, or body part are prohibited, including steel jaw leghold traps, padded leghold traps, and snares.
Legal, Regulated Hunting The use of legal, regulated, hunting by licensed hunters can be useful for reducing local wildlife populations and can help reduce nuisance problems in Massachusetts. You can allow hunters on to your property, provide a place for them to park to access nearby forest, and/or give them permission to hunt within 500 feet of your residence. Please also keep in mind that each town may have additional by-laws that restrict hunting and the discharge of firearms.

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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