More Animals Added To List MI Property Owners Can Kill Without Permit

MICHIGAN — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources added more animals to its nuisance list, which allows property owners to trap and kill wild animals without obtaining a permit.

The amendment added beavers, cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, ground squirrels, red squirrels, muskrats, opossums and weasels. Prior to the amendment, property owners could only trap and kill woodchucks, skunks, raccoons and coyotes on private property.

Property owners (or someone working for them) can only trap and kill the wild animal on their own property and only if that animal is causing immediate or imminent damage, according to the DNR amendment.

The amendment cites damage as "physical harm to forest products, roads, dams, buildings, orchards, apiaries, livestock and horticultural or agricultural crops."

In addition, property owners can only kill beavers and muskrats if their activities are causing flooding or blocking culverts.