Nuisance Wildlife Control Training Manual

Chapter One Introduction

This training manual has three goals:

• to help you learn the best practices for nuisance wildlife control,

• to guide you to useful information sources, and

• to help you pass a state certification test so you'll qualify for a nuisance wildlife control license.

Learning objectives

• List four of the issues addressed by the "best practices" approach.
• Name at least two reasons why an animal would be considered "nuisance wildlife".
• Explain what attracts wildlife to a particular site. Can you sum it up in two words?
• How might a client's feelings about wildlife influence the way you approach that job? Give one example of when you might not be able to follow a customer's request.

Higher, deeper, further... Optional activities to explore other perspectives about the topic.

• Check a few websites that relate to wildlife damage management, such as the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management.

• Review the websites of a wildlife rehabilitation group, a trapping organization, and an animal welfare organization. How do their perspectives about the control of nuisance wildlife differ from your own? Consider joining and participating in their activities.

• Develop a presentation for a local school class to explain what a NWCO does at work. (You don’t have to actually present it, just consider how you’d describe your job to a six-year-old).

• Get to know other NWCOs. Join your state wildlife control association, or sign up for a listserve, or attend meetings and conferences.

Review questions

Optional. Answering these questions should help you decide if you learned the material well enough.

1. To qualify as a nuisance, an animal must

a. take up residence in someone's attic

b. damage a crop (agricultural, fish stocks, forestry, nursery)

c. cause an accident

d. attack a child

e. it depends on the species and the situation

2. Animals often enter human environments to fulfill basic survival needs. What do they seek?

a. food and shelter

b. mates

c. cable TV

d. protection from diseases

3. When providing wildlife control services, you are always required to do exactly what your customer requests. (Circle answer.)

True

False

4. What's a best practice?

a. it's a method that's cheap and fast

b. a way to solve a nuisance problem that doesn't hurt the wildlife

c. the simple, single solution for all the problems you'll encounter

d. an effective way to solve a nuisance problem that minimizes the risks to people and the environment

5. NWCOs who use the best practices approach to solving nuisance wildlife problems think about:

a. safety, wildlife rehabilitation, finding a quick-fix for the problem, and the DEC's goals for its wildlife programs

b. the humane treatment of wildlife, whether the method is practical, safety issues, and landowner rights

c. legal and ethical concerns, and how much this method will help increase the deer herd

d. costs, fur trapping, human safety, and getting rid of as many of the animals as you can to make sure the problem doesn't happen to the neighbors

6. You may partner with another professional to finish a job because

a. you don't have the proper equipment, but your roofer friend does

b. you're not as comfortable handling that species

c. it's your busiest season, and you don't have the time to spare for the building repair or clean-up services your customer needs

d. any of the above

Answers

1. e
2. a
3. false. In some cases, you must follow the directions of the health department.
4. d
5. b
6. d

Handbook Contents

Introduction

• Understanding Nuisance Wildlife
• The Business Side

Needs of People and wildlife

• Six Questions NWCOs must ask

Federal Laws and Regulations

• New York State Wildlife Control Laws
• Local Regulations for Wildlife Control

Safety Risks for Customers

• Job Risks
• Safety Gear
• Carcass Disposal
• Wildlife Diseases

Best Practices for Wildlife Control

• Assess the Situation
• Choose Management Options
• Tools and Techniques
• Preventing Problems
• Evaluating Success

Professionalism Resources for NWCOs

Disclaimer

This manual was written as a guide to train nuisance wildlife control operators in New York State. Laws and regulations may differ in your state. Always consult local and state laws before implementing wildlife damage management activities.

Contact Information

Contact your local Extension Office

Resources

Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
National Wildlife Control Operator's Association
Wildlife Control

Acknowledgments

We thank the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for contributing this information.

Produced by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the NYS Integrated Pest Management Program.