chipmunks are not legal to shoot right?

[thundrst]

I always thought it was illegal to shoot them. never really looked into it though. Seems like a lot of people are doing it anyway. Does anyone know for sure where/if/when it is leagal? (like property protection etc.) If you can send a link or a reference, that would be great. Just curious. Thanks, John H.

[captjimtc]

Here's an old link from the icefishing section...

http://www.icefishingmichigan.com/fo...ad.php?p=70634

[Bountyhunter]

It is legal with a small game license all year. But then I suppose you would have to wear orange and all of that junk. I'd love to quote something from the DNR site, but you just don't do that with dial-up. I know it is legal though. It is also legal to kill red squirrel, possum, woodchuck, and some other things like that.

Property damage though? I'm not sure what the rules are on that, if any.? They sure are destructive. At one time they were in our basement and shed. I think the shed foundation actually cracked. Needless to say, I haven't seen one for a while. Thats how I came up with the name "Bountyhunter".

[raisinrat]

I would like to know when they became fair game? That is news to me.

[ih772]

It has been in the hunting guide for many many years.

[raisinrat]

O never mind just found the info I am looking for didn't know I can take shrew also.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dn...s_234682_7.pdf
"Non-Protected Mammals
Non-protected mammals may be taken, at any time, for any reason, by any method, without the need for a Scientific
Collector’s Permit or any other authorization from the DNR. Live-traps and kill-traps are permissible methods of
collecting non-protected mammals. Non-protected mammals include shrews, voles, chipmunks, moles, and mice. Live
traps, small enough in design to capture these species, may be used without Department authorization. Currently the least
shrew and the prairie vole are State listed threatened or endangered species. These animals are protected and must be
immediately released if captured. In Michigan specific types of non-protected mammals include the: Arctic shrew,
masked shrew, smoky shrew, pygmy shrew, water shrew, short-tailed shrew, eastern mole, star-nosed mole, eastern
chipmunk, least chipmunk, white-footed mouse, deer mouse, meadow jumping mouse, woodland jumping mouse, house
mouse, southern red-backed vole, meadow vole, woodland vole, southern bog lemming, Norway rat, and porcupine."

[Talntedmrgreen]

13 lined ground squirrels are legal...not sure about chipmunks, as they are a different species.


Chipmunk:


There is a difference and the 13 stripers are a bit larger. Both seem to be just as much of a nuisance.

From the guide...
The following small game species may be taken year-round with any valid hunting license* except within state park and recreation areas from April 1 to September 14:

• opossum
• porcupine
• red squirrel
• skunk
• thirteen-lined ground squirrel
• woodchuck
• weasel

The following species may be taken with a firearm year-round with any valid hunting license except within state park and recreation areas from April 1 to September 14:

• English (house) sparrow
• European starling
• feral pigeon (rock dove)

*No license is required for a resident, resident's spouse or resident's children to hunt small game on the enclosed farmlands where they live.

Clear as mud?

[Talntedmrgreen]

raisinrat is all over it...I didn't realize they were even LESS protected than the critters in the guide. I like that resource, thanks!

[raisinrat]

Originally Posted by Talntedmrgreen

raisinrat is all over it...I didn't realize they were even LESS protected than the critters in the guide. I like that resource, thanks!

It reads to me tho that those listed in my above post is by trap only not by weapon.

[ENCORE]

Originally Posted by raisinrat

O never mind just found the info I am looking for didn't know I can take shrew also.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dn...s_234682_7.pdf
"Non-Protected Mammals
Non-protected mammals may be taken, at any time, for any reason, by any method, without the need for a Scientific
Collector’s Permit or any other authorization from the DNR. Live-traps and kill-traps are permissible methods of
collecting non-protected mammals. Non-protected mammals include shrews, voles, chipmunks, moles, and mice. Live
traps, small enough in design to capture these species, may be used without Department authorization. Currently the least
shrew and the prairie vole are State listed threatened or endangered species. These animals are protected and must be
immediately released if captured. In Michigan specific types of non-protected mammals include the: Arctic shrew,
masked shrew, smoky shrew, pygmy shrew, water shrew, short-tailed shrew, eastern mole, star-nosed mole, eastern
chipmunk, least chipmunk, white-footed mouse, deer mouse, meadow jumping mouse, woodland jumping mouse, house
mouse, southern red-backed vole, meadow vole, woodland vole, southern bog lemming, Norway rat, and porcupine."

It states by any method. Then it goes on further to say that kill traps and live traps are also legal methods.

[raisinrat]

this is a huge gray area no matter how we slice it tho. I am not sure I would ever shot any of these buggers cause I think they are pretty cool. And it would be pretty hard to clean them and get meat of them. The context of my link is for scientific collection. So it isn't for hunting.

[ih772]

What is so "gray" about it? It is pretty clear that you can take them at any time, for any reason, by any method.

[ENCORE]

Originally Posted by raisinrat

this is a huge gray area no matter how we slice it tho. I am not sure I would ever shot any of these buggers cause I think they are pretty cool. And it would be pretty hard to clean them and get meat of them. The context of my link is for scientific collection. So it isn't for hunting.

So, reading it like you have and you only consider it "for scientific collection", does that mean that its illegal to trap a mouse or a rat??? You're keying in on something that is only part of what's written. The first sentence says it all. If you're still unsure, post the question in the law forum......

Now, you've obviously never had chipmonks get into your garage, shed or any number of machines or equipment. Once you do, YOU WILL declare open season on them. And believe me, YOU WILL.

[RDS-1025]

Originally Posted by ENCORE

Now, you've obviously never had chipmonks get into your garage, shed or any number of machines or equipment. Once you do, YOU WILL declare open season on them. And believe me, YOU WILL.

Lets not forget watching you plant your garden in the spring, and then digging up every seed you plant within hours of planting them.

[thundrst]

Thanks everyone. I guess I was wrong. I just assumed that anything not in the hunting guide book was off limits. I didn't even think of mice & rats & other "unprotected species". Good to know.