The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
is legislatively mandated to preserve, protect, and perpetuate wildlife.
They also have the responsibility to assure that individual animals
do not pose a threat to human safety or create unreasonable damage
to crops, livestock, or property.
The
expanding human population and the habitat alteration (or loss)
accompanying it are resulting in a progressive increase in the frequency
of wildlife/human conflicts. As a result, each year WDFW receives
thousands of calls from citizens seeking advice on how to deal with
unwanted wild animals. Although laws give citizens substantive latitude
to deal with problems, many are either unwilling or unable to handle
human/wildlife conflicts.
In addition
to its staff, WDFW call on the help of private citizens who have
skills and training in the capture and handling of many wildlife
species that commonly generate wildlife complaints. Typically these
individuals are referred to as "NWCOs" (nuisance wildlife control
operators) or simply "trappers." There are approximately 180 NWCOs
throughout the state. Although they must be licensed through WDFW,
and conform to its regulations, they are not state employees. They
operate as private enterprises and set their own fees.
Under the authority
of their permit, wildlife control operators are able to trap, capture,
and transport raccoons, opossums, skunks, etc. year-round. Wildlife
control operators do not handle issues involving deer, elk, cougar
or bear. Those situations still must be handled by Fish and Wildlife
Officers and require different services where conventional trapping/exclusion
techniques will not apply.
The WDFW
website and the WDFW
Regional Offices continue to provide technical advice and/or
informational pamphlets on request to citizens who are experiencing
wildlife problems. Wildlife control operators, however, provide
direct assistance to landowners who are willing to pay for the cost
of licensed and trained individuals to resolve their wildlife problems.
While many
conflicts can be solved with information about an animal's activities,
or by adopting a more tolerant stance or doing some repair work,
wildlife control operators are recommended for work that poses health
or safety hazards, or work that requires special trap setting skills
and knowledge of wildlife to minimize inhumane treatment of animals.
To find a wildlife
control operator, contact your WDFW
Regional Office for names of companies or individuals that specialize
in wildlife control work in your area. Some companies may also be
listed under "Pest Control" in your local phone directory. Be aware
of some pest control companies that advertise that they offer nuisance
wildlife control work. Inquire whether or not the company has a
nuisance wildlife control permit. It is unlawful to trap nuisance
wildlife on the property of another for a fee or other consideration
without a permit (WAC
232-12-086).
The wildlife
control business is a new industry and companies vary widely in
expertise and professionalism. How do you tell whom you're dealing
with?
- Does the
representative appear to be professional and care about their
work, the animals involved, and your concerns?
- Does the
person appear knowledgeable and take the time to explain not only
what the source of the problem is, but also its causes and potential
solutions?
- Is the person
licensed by the state, and bonded or insured against any incidental
damage that might occur?
- Is the person
willing to give you names and phone numbers of satisfied customers?
- Does the
person try to scare you with talk about wildlife diseases or dangerous
animals, or do they simply make you aware that you need to be
cautious when dealing with wildlife to avoid the risk of infection?
- Are the procedures
to be used simply and concisely explained? (Note: Under
permit, mandatory euthanization of certain species may be required
(see Trapping Wildlife on an explanation
on why). Call your WDFW
Regional Office for current requirements.)
- Does the
person have more than one recommendation to resolve the problem—including
nonlethal solutions?
- Does this
person's approach to the problem include making sure it does not
reoccur? This should include a discussion of needed structural
repairs or changes and ways you should alter your own habits (e.g.,
birdfeeder or trash maintenance).
- Is any part
of the work guaranteed? Although the kind of guarantee will vary
depending upon the species involved and the type of work being
performed, getting a guarantee suggests the person might be in
business long enough to back it.
- Does this
person offer a written contract? This is a must!
- Does the
person provide a variety of pricing options to fit your budget?
For example, can you share in the work by checking cage traps
to save trips to your home?
- Ask the
person who is responsible for checking the traps how often the
traps are to be checked. (The correct answer is that the traps
must be checked daily, including weekends and holidays. If you
must check the traps, then the trapper must be available to remove
the trapped animals.)
- Just because
a company charges a lot of money for its services doesn't necessarily
mean that it is better or more reputable than other companies.
Be cautious of low quotes; you often get what you pay for.
- Discuss the
situation with someone else and do the math to make your own estimate
of what you are going to pay per hour for the job. Consider the
following: How dangerous is the job? (Ladder work is always dangerous.)
How much travel and equipment is involved to resolve the problem?
(If the person has to travel 20 miles one-way to reach your location,
they will need to get paid for the time both ways.) Also consider
how expensive it is to live in your area, and what kind of warranty
or guarantee the company gives.
- Be wary of
a company that requires all the money up front. Any reputable
company should be satisfied with 50 percent down and the remaining
amount due upon completion of the job.
- Be in control
of all your negotiations and do not be pressured into buying the
service. If it just doesn't feel right, take your business elsewhere.
Adapted
from "Living with Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest"
Written by: Russell
Link, Urban Wildlife Biologist |
