Here’s how Pennsylvania law generally treats chipmunks.
Here’s how Pennsylvania law generally treats chipmunks, squirrels and other wildlife control for pest control and wildlife control operators:
Protected Status
- In Pennsylvania, chipmunks (Tamias striatus) are considered a protected wild mammal under state wildlife regulations. They are not classified as a game animal or furbearer with a season. Consequently, they don’t have an open hunting/trapping season like deer or squirrels. This means you cannot legally hunt or kill them without proper authority outside specific exceptions. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/wildlife/discover-pa-wildlife/chipmunk?utm_source
Landowner Exceptions
- For private landowners, Pennsylvania law generally allows the property owner (or someone with the owner’s permission) to take wildlife that is causing or about to cause damage to property. This is a narrow exception to the general protection status. https://extension.psu.edu/chipmunks
Pest and Wildlife Control Operators
- If you’re acting as a pest control or wildlife control operator for hire (i.e., taking wildlife for someone else), Pennsylvania requires an operator permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). In addition, you need a valid wildlife business license through the state for any wildlife control services. This is necessary to legally take, harass, transport, release, or dispatch “designated wildlife” for another person. This permit is commonly referred to as a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator permit. https://regulations.justia.com/states/pennsylvania/title-58/part-iii/chapter-147/subchapter-t/section-147-721/?utm_source
- Without this proper permit and licensing, it would be unlawful to trap/kill chipmunks as part of any commercial wildlife control service. This is because they are protected mammals and your actions would constitute “taking wildlife” outside a landowner’s personal rights.
Methods and Regulations
- Even with the proper permit, the methods you use must comply with relevant Game Commission regulations (how traps are set, humane dispatch requirements, reporting, etc.). https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/pennsylvania/58-Pa-Code-SS-147-726?utm_source
Summary
- It is Illegal for a pest control and wildlife control operators to kill chipmunks commercially in PA without the proper permits and licensing. This is because pest control operators’ scope of services generally ceases at targets of mice/rats. In fact, they often do not offer wildlife control services and are not permitted and/or licensed for wildlife control services. Whereas, wildlife control operators must be licensed and permitted to provide such services.
- Chipmunks are protected wildlife that require specialized equipment and knowledge to control. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/wildlife/discover-pa-wildlife/chipmunk?utm_source
- Legal for a property owner (or agent with written authorization and proper permit) to take chipmunks that are causing damage https://extension.psu.edu/chipmunks
Check with the Pennsylvania Game Commission about the specific nuisance wildlife control operator permit requirements and any reporting and method restrictions. They set the legal framework for wildlife removal in the state of Pennsylvania. https://regulations.justia.com/states/pennsylvania/title-58/part-iii/chapter-147/subchapter-t/section-147-721/?utm_source