General wildlife-control information online
Missourians enjoy and benefit from wildlife–but if you've ever had woodpeckers in your siding or squirrels in your attic, you know that wildlife can sometimes cause damage. Use this page to find information and assistance on dealing with problem wildlife, as well as on how to prevent wildlife from becoming a problem.
MDC’s articles on nuisance wildlife help you learn how to deal with many species that can cause property damage. Before you take action, be so be sure to consult the Wildlife Code. There are many state regulations and local ordinances that restrict how to manage damage-causing animals. Contact your regional conservation office for more information about controlling or removing problem wildlife. The staff can put you in touch with experienced wildlife damage control contractors.
Prevent wildlife from becoming a problem
You can keep wildlife from becoming a problem by making your house, yard, garden or farm less attractive to them. Avoid leaving out pet or livestock food, stow your grill after using it and put garbage in secure containers. Fencing is often the best way to keep deer and rabbits out of your garden or orchard. Visit the Grow Native! website for information about deer- and rabbit-resistant plants.
You can discourage a variety of unwanted wildlife, including mice and snakes by keeping your yard mowed and free from debris, such as wood piles or rock piles, and maintaining your house and outbuildings, especially around eaves and foundations.
Specific wildlife control issues
If predators are menacing your livestock, check the Wildlife Code before taking any action on your own. While you can shoot or trap most nuisance animals, there are restriction for migratory birds, deer, turkey, bears, mountain lions and endangered species.
Some wildlife control efforts require special equipment and advice. Animals such as beaver, muskrat and otters are most commonly controlled by water-trapping techniques. Coyotes, foxes and bobcats may require more trapping expertise or special permits. Farmers experiencing deer damage to crops will need special advice and permits to reduce losses.
Feral hogs (any hog not conspicuously identified by ear tags or other marks and roaming freely on any land without the landowner’s permission) can spread disease and damage livestock, streams and wildlife. It is legal to kill feral hogs on your own property and on public lands where such hunting is allowed. Certain restrictions apply during fall deer and turkey season.
Browse by Subject
- Seasons and regulations
- Find out about specific seasons and hunting regulations
- Furbearers
- Information on Missouri's common furbearing animals
- Deer
- Look up deer hunting regulations and reports
- Turkey
- Find information about turkey hunting regulations and practices
- Waterfowl
- Section detailing waterfowl hunting and seasons
- Other game
- Information on other small game hunting
