The National Wildlife Control Training Program
For those of you not familiar with this project, let me provide a little background. Regrettably, most states lack even rudimentary training requirements for the licensing of wildlife control operators (WCO). Part of the reason for this situation is the dearth of training materials and the fact that state wildlife agencies, already underfunded and overworked, don't have the resources to create a program let alone administer it. Our program seeks to correct that. We have created a training program designed to provide beginning WCOs the fundamentals of the trade.
We will provide this training in multiple ways, including print (book forthcoming in January, 2011), online (January 2011) and in person if states desire that. This training will also be open to businesses wishing to train new workers.
The training consists of two main parts. First is the core modules. Core modules are what we believe every WCO should know regardless of where they live. It's written in a manner that makes it suitable for WCOs regardless of their respective state laws.
Part 2 consists of species modules. Each species module will address the biology, damage, and control methods related to that particular species. We anticipate that states or individuals can select which species they want to learn about. This allows individuals to learn about species that they are allowed to control. The exam at the end will cover the modules that were selected.
In addition, states that wish to work with us, can edit the species modules so that only those techniques permitted in their state are discussed. Biology and range information can also be adjusted to reflect the specific facts in that respective state. These state specific training materials can then be printed and/or provided on-line. States won't have to bear the costs of hosting or modification of materials as the user can bear the full price. What is that price? We don't know at the moment because we are still preparing the document for publication. But we anticipate the on-line training (which will have additional training resources than what can be provided by the book) to be less than 200 dollars which will include the cost of the exam. Of course, advanced training modules will be provided in the future. If you are interested in providing advanced training, please contact me. We want to work with you.
Here is an outline of the National Wildlife Control Training Program
Part 1 WCO Core Training Modules
1. Principles of Wildlife Damage Management – Introduction to principles, definition of concepts, best practices concepts,.
2. Physical Safety - The section on physical safety (like ladder safety) and expand on details related to working in the field dealing with animal capture and certain control techniques.
3. Wildlife Diseases – We discuss personal safety, personal protection equipment, common diseases, and the meaning and problems of zoonotic diseases.
4. Site Inspection – The process and theory of on-site investigation of wildlife damage complaints.
5. Overview of wildlife control methods - The overview of control methods prepares technicians for the control techniques they fill find in the species specific information.
6. Animal Handling—Treatment and capture of free-ranging and trapped animals. .
7. Euthanasia & Carcass Disposal—Killing methods and options for the disposition of carcasses.
8. Business Practices – Overview of standard business practices. This is NOT a how to run you business.
9. Legal and Ethical Issues – The importance of following federal, state and local laws. Demonstration of values, business and personal ethics, the ethical treatment of wildlife (animals in general) in the media.
PART 2 Species Modules
Raccoon
Skunk
Bat
Beaver
Squirrels
Etc.
We are excited about this new development. Stay tuned or even better, stop by and see us at NWCOA's convention in New Orleans Jan 13 and following.
Stephen Vantassel, Project Coordinator, CWCP, ACP
Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
School of Natural Resources
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
414 Hardin Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0974 U.S.A.
phone: 402-472-8961
fax: 402-472-2946
email: svantassel2@unl.edu
web site: http://icwdm.org
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
New Bait?
For if it is true, it would be good news as new baits are always valuable.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Noises in the Wall
From time to time, I get requests to identify the cause of noises in people's walls. The problem, besides my being miles from the location of the problem is that noise by itself is a very poor diagnostic tool for identifying wildlife damage. It's like going to your doctor and saying you have pain in your knee. It only tells him that you have a problem not what the problem is as it could be strain from basketball, arthritis to cancer etc.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Noise can only be heard when you are around. Saying you hear the noise in the morning doesn't necessarily help if you are gone all day at work. The point being you could only hear it in the morning or at night because you are otherwise, unavailable.
2. Noises of a consistent repetitive (over days) nature are typically mechanical. Animals are not clocks. While they may make noises at similar times of the day, daylight and weather are constantly changing so their noises will also change. If it doesn't then think mechanical.
I suggest visiting http://icwdm.org read our literature on how to inspect your home. Takes about 45 minutes to take the course. It's free. Then you will have some basic skills on how to id this problem.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
From time to time, I get requests to identify the cause of noises in people's walls. The problem, besides my being miles from the location of the problem is that noise by itself is a very poor diagnostic tool for identifying wildlife damage. It's like going to your doctor and saying you have pain in your knee. It only tells him that you have a problem not what the problem is as it could be strain from basketball, arthritis to cancer etc.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Noise can only be heard when you are around. Saying you hear the noise in the morning doesn't necessarily help if you are gone all day at work. The point being you could only hear it in the morning or at night because you are otherwise, unavailable.
2. Noises of a consistent repetitive (over days) nature are typically mechanical. Animals are not clocks. While they may make noises at similar times of the day, daylight and weather are constantly changing so their noises will also change. If it doesn't then think mechanical.
I suggest visiting http://icwdm.org read our literature on how to inspect your home. Takes about 45 minutes to take the course. It's free. Then you will have some basic skills on how to id this problem.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Snapping Turtles
June is the month female snapping turtles leave the water and find a location to lay their eggs. She finds a spot that has enough sun, digs a hole, deposits the eggs, and then covers them with soil and even mud. Then she goes along her merry way. About 70 days later, depending on soil temperatures (warmer the eggs mature faster, cooler, eggs mature more slowly) the young turtles will emerge an seek water.
Despite how tough adult turtles are, (don't get bit by one), most turtle eggs never mature because they are depredated on by raccoons, skunks and other middle sized predators known as meso-predators. If you have found nest and you wish to protect the turtle eggs from predation, then you can lay a 1" wire mesh over the spot and anchor it down. This will prevent predators from digging them up.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP,
http://icwdm.org
June is the month female snapping turtles leave the water and find a location to lay their eggs. She finds a spot that has enough sun, digs a hole, deposits the eggs, and then covers them with soil and even mud. Then she goes along her merry way. About 70 days later, depending on soil temperatures (warmer the eggs mature faster, cooler, eggs mature more slowly) the young turtles will emerge an seek water.
Despite how tough adult turtles are, (don't get bit by one), most turtle eggs never mature because they are depredated on by raccoons, skunks and other middle sized predators known as meso-predators. If you have found nest and you wish to protect the turtle eggs from predation, then you can lay a 1" wire mesh over the spot and anchor it down. This will prevent predators from digging them up.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP,
http://icwdm.org
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Canada Goose Damage Management Workshop
In case you haven't heard, but Canada geese numbers have increased dramatically over the past 15 years. From a time when their future was a matter of concern, the actions of wildlife managers and changes in environmental policy combined to bring Canada geese numbers back to what they are today. Not to be outdone, but changes to the habitat, such as urban sprawl and the human propensity to have green grass on gentle slopes surrounding lakes, have created a veritable Garden of Eden for geese. All three elements are the answer to the question, "Why do we have so many geese?"
The School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln along with the National Wildlife Control Operators Association have combined to create a training program to educate people interested in managing conflicts with Canada geese. This workshop will provide hands-on training, demonstrations, and lecture to help students become familiar with the variety of tools, along with their limitations, presently available to control geese. No hype, just solid training so that you can resolve geese issues in your area.
If you would like to learn more or perhaps even participate, visit Goose Damage Management Workshop. Act fast, as the workshop will be taking place, June 29-July 1, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
In case you haven't heard, but Canada geese numbers have increased dramatically over the past 15 years. From a time when their future was a matter of concern, the actions of wildlife managers and changes in environmental policy combined to bring Canada geese numbers back to what they are today. Not to be outdone, but changes to the habitat, such as urban sprawl and the human propensity to have green grass on gentle slopes surrounding lakes, have created a veritable Garden of Eden for geese. All three elements are the answer to the question, "Why do we have so many geese?"
The School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln along with the National Wildlife Control Operators Association have combined to create a training program to educate people interested in managing conflicts with Canada geese. This workshop will provide hands-on training, demonstrations, and lecture to help students become familiar with the variety of tools, along with their limitations, presently available to control geese. No hype, just solid training so that you can resolve geese issues in your area.
If you would like to learn more or perhaps even participate, visit Goose Damage Management Workshop. Act fast, as the workshop will be taking place, June 29-July 1, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Identifying Scat
At the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management we receive a number of requests to identify scats that landowners have found on their property. Here are a few tips to help you to help us identify scats.
Be careful around scat. Don't touch it with your bare hands and stay upwind. Don't breath material from the scat, you don't want to expose yourself to any disease or infectious organisms.
1. Location, location, location. We need to know where you live as animals live in different places. If you reside in Massachusetts, it is highly unlikely that the scat would have been left by a wolf.
1b. Additionally, consider the habitat. Different animals live in different environments. Meadow and prairie voles are, you guessed it, found in grass lands not in the middle of the forest.
1.c. Positioning. Is the scat located along a trail? In the open, under a tree, near the water?
2. Length and width. People generally tell us the length of the scat, but they neglect to tell us the width. We need both.
3. Shape. Are the droppings, pellets, tubular, plops, pointed on one or both ends, twisted, segmented? Be detailed.
4. Can you identify any items in the scat? Hair, seeds?
5. Is there any white in the scat? Normally, we don't care about color because color is often a reflection of what the animal ate. White, however, is different because it normally signifies nitrogen which birds and lizards excrete.
I hope you find these questions helpful. Remember though, scat identification is an art as much as a science. But it is little more than a shot in the dark without all the necessary information.
For more information on scat identification visit Scat Identification
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
At the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management we receive a number of requests to identify scats that landowners have found on their property. Here are a few tips to help you to help us identify scats.
Be careful around scat. Don't touch it with your bare hands and stay upwind. Don't breath material from the scat, you don't want to expose yourself to any disease or infectious organisms.
1. Location, location, location. We need to know where you live as animals live in different places. If you reside in Massachusetts, it is highly unlikely that the scat would have been left by a wolf.
1b. Additionally, consider the habitat. Different animals live in different environments. Meadow and prairie voles are, you guessed it, found in grass lands not in the middle of the forest.
1.c. Positioning. Is the scat located along a trail? In the open, under a tree, near the water?
2. Length and width. People generally tell us the length of the scat, but they neglect to tell us the width. We need both.
3. Shape. Are the droppings, pellets, tubular, plops, pointed on one or both ends, twisted, segmented? Be detailed.
4. Can you identify any items in the scat? Hair, seeds?
5. Is there any white in the scat? Normally, we don't care about color because color is often a reflection of what the animal ate. White, however, is different because it normally signifies nitrogen which birds and lizards excrete.
I hope you find these questions helpful. Remember though, scat identification is an art as much as a science. But it is little more than a shot in the dark without all the necessary information.
For more information on scat identification visit Scat Identification
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Friday, April 30, 2010
Flying Bats
I recently received a question about how to prevent bats from flying around a house at night. It appeared that the bats frightened the residents and they wanted them to not be around anymore.
If this situation affects you, here are some strategies to employ to resolve the matter.
First, make sure that the bats are NOT living in your house. Obviously, if bats are living in your house, it is very likely that you will see them flying around. For tips on how to inspect your home visit Inspection Tips for free training.
Second, turn of lights as these attract and congregate insects that bats consume. Since turning off lights is not always practical, consider changing the light bulb to less attractive color such as yellow or add a motion sensor to the light.
Third, use alternative doors. It may be that bats are more active on one side of the house than others. Find out if they are loafing behind shudders or under overhangs. (Bats often rest to recover and digest their food before venturing out again). Prevent their access to loafing locations by netting, filling the gaps behind the shudders, or screening off overhangs. Remember netting and screening should be no larger than 1/4-inch weave.
Finally consider developing some toleration. Phobias can be overcome with education and help. The more you read about bats the more likely you will appreciate their remarkable abilities and importance to the eco-system. Who knows, you may even grow to like them.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
I recently received a question about how to prevent bats from flying around a house at night. It appeared that the bats frightened the residents and they wanted them to not be around anymore.
If this situation affects you, here are some strategies to employ to resolve the matter.
First, make sure that the bats are NOT living in your house. Obviously, if bats are living in your house, it is very likely that you will see them flying around. For tips on how to inspect your home visit Inspection Tips for free training.
Second, turn of lights as these attract and congregate insects that bats consume. Since turning off lights is not always practical, consider changing the light bulb to less attractive color such as yellow or add a motion sensor to the light.
Third, use alternative doors. It may be that bats are more active on one side of the house than others. Find out if they are loafing behind shudders or under overhangs. (Bats often rest to recover and digest their food before venturing out again). Prevent their access to loafing locations by netting, filling the gaps behind the shudders, or screening off overhangs. Remember netting and screening should be no larger than 1/4-inch weave.
Finally consider developing some toleration. Phobias can be overcome with education and help. The more you read about bats the more likely you will appreciate their remarkable abilities and importance to the eco-system. Who knows, you may even grow to like them.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
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