Are Badgers Protected in Wisconsin? Laws, Penalties, and Problem Animals

Yes, badgers are protected in Wisconsin. State law lists the badger as a protected wild animal with no open hunting or trapping season, which means no one may take, trap, kill, transport, or possess a badger or its carcass at any time unless state or federal law specifically authorizes it.1Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Nuisance, Urban and Damaging Wildlife – Section: Badgers

What “Protected” Means Here

Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 10.02 designates the badger as a protected wild animal.2Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 10.02 The badger is also classified as a fur-bearing animal under Wisconsin Statutes 29.001(30), a category that includes otters, beavers, mink, raccoons, and foxes.3Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 29.001 – Definitions The combination gives the Department of Natural Resources authority to manage the species while barring the public from taking one.

Protected is not the same as endangered. Badgers are not on Wisconsin’s endangered or threatened species list, and the American badger is not listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.4U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (ECOS). Species Profile for American Badger (Taxidea taxus) The population is stable; the protection reflects the policy choice that there is no legal way for the public to hunt or trap them.

No Open Season, No License

Deer have a season. Turkeys have a season. Badgers do not. NR 10.02 effectively creates a permanent closed season by listing the badger among species that may not be taken at any time.2Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 10.02 No license, stamp, or permit sold to the public authorizes hunting or trapping a badger during any part of the year.

Penalties for Killing or Trapping a Badger

Illegally taking a badger triggers more than one consequence. Wisconsin Statutes 29.971(3) sets a forfeiture of up to $1,000 for unlawfully taking game or a fur-bearing animal.5Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 29.971 – Penalties The state may also bring a separate civil action for damages. For fur-bearing animals not individually named in the damages schedule, that amount is $17.50 per animal under Wisconsin Statutes 29.977(1)(m). A court may revoke hunting and trapping licenses, and a wild animal protection surcharge can be added on top.

Possessing a Live Badger

You cannot keep a badger as a pet. Wisconsin Statutes 169.04 prohibits possessing a live wild animal unless the animal was legally obtained and the person holds the required license or approval.6Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 169.04 – Possession of Live Wild Animals A narrow exception allows temporary possession of up to 24 hours for the purpose of transporting the animal to a veterinarian or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, or relocating it to a more appropriate location. Holding the animal longer than 24 hours requires DNR approval.

Badgers Causing Problems on Your Property

Badgers burrow after ground squirrels, moles, and voles, and their dens leave noticeable dirt mounds. Because of the protected status, you cannot trap or kill a nuisance badger yourself. The DNR recommends applying non-lethal deterrents consistently, twice a day for at least a week:1Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Nuisance, Urban and Damaging Wildlife – Section: Badgers

  • Remove food sources by controlling or repelling prey animals like chipmunks, ground squirrels, moles, and voles, and by clearing ant mounds and ground-level hives.
  • Eliminate prey habitat: old stumps, wood piles, rock piles, and spilled bird seed. Fill holes that harbor prey.
  • Use smell deterrents. Dryer sheets or pet feces placed into den entrance holes twice a day can push a badger to move on.
  • Add lighting around buildings. Badgers are nocturnal and prefer dark cover.
  • Add noise. A radio, wind chimes, or clapping and yelling when you spot one usually works, since badgers avoid confrontation with humans.
  • Use water. Motion-activated sprinklers or a hose are effective.

Badgers are often just passing through. If consistent deterrence fails and the animal is causing significant damage, call the DNR rather than taking action yourself.

Sick, Injured, or Suspected Poaching

Do not handle a sick or injured badger. The jaws are powerful and an injured animal is unpredictable. Report the animal to the DNR’s Wildlife Switchboard at 608-267-0866 or DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov, or contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.7Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife Health – Section: Report Sick or Dead Wildlife The 24-hour transport exception in Chapter 169 lets you move the animal to a veterinarian or rehabilitator within that window.6Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 169.04 – Possession of Live Wild Animals

To report someone illegally killing, trapping, or possessing a badger, call or text the DNR Violation Hotline at 1-800-847-9367, or submit a report online.8Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Report a Violation The hotline runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and reports are confidential. Include the location, time, a description of what you saw, and any identifying information about the people involved.