Best practices for nuisance wildlife control operators in New York State

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Chapter one: Introduction

What's this all about?

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 the state certification test so you'll qualify for a nuisance wildlife control license.

What's a "best practice"? It's an effective method for solving a nuisance wildlife problem that also minimizes risks to the environment and our health and well-being. This decision-making strategy balances concerns about safety; the humane treatment of wildlife; practicality; landowner rights; the protection of wildlife populations and habitats; and ethical, legal, financial, and aesthetic issues.

There is no "magic pill" for nuisance wildlife control. No single, simple remedy that can be relied upon to solve all of the problems you'll encounter. At times, you may even need a different solution for the "same" problem. Your favorite method for removing a raccoon from a chimney may not work at this particular house, for example, because the roof is too rotted to walk upon. One customer's definition of best practice may differ from another's, too. Often, effective long-term solutions involve the use of several best practices, such as a combination of removal and exclusion. So there's another reason to master many techniques and have a variety of tools available.

Best practices are based on the best available information, which includes scientific knowledge and the field experience of wildlife biologists and nuisance wildlife control operators (NWCOs). As we learn more and refine the tools and techniques of the trade, best practices just get better and better. That's why we urge you to keep learning throughout your career. For example, you may wish to join a professional organization that puts you in touch with other NWCOs, or read magazines and listserves.

From time to time, you may want to check this website, which will be updated more frequently than the printed manual. We recommend that you bookmark www.wildlifecontrol.info.

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