Best practices
for nuisance wildlife control operators in New York State

New York State DEC     Cornell Cooperative Extension     NYS Integrated Pest Management Program   
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The following list is not comprehensive, but should give you a sense of what’s readily available. Inclusion does not indicate an endorsement nor does omission indicate disapproval by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation or Cornell University. This list was last updated 6/03.

ORGANIZATIONS (whose mission includes nuisance wildlife control activities)

Federal agencies:

United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services Unit (USDA-APHIS-WS)
Richard Chipman, State Director 1930 Route 9, Castleton NY 12033-9653 phone: (518) 477-4837 • fax: (518) 477-4899 Email: Richard.B.Chipman@aphis.usda.gov

www.aphis.usda.gov/ws 

Formerly known as the “Animal Damage Control Unit.” Provides advice, particularly about Canada geese and roosting crows and blackbirds. Their website includes fact sheets on specific tools, such as low-powered lasers and the electronic guard, among other topics.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Federal Permit Office United States Department of Interior Contact: Nadine Fleming, P.O. Box 799 Hadley, MA 01035-0779 (413) 253-8643 • www.fws.gov

International organizations:

International Assoc. of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Furbearer Resources Technical Work Group 444 N. Capitol St. NW, Suite 544 Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 624-7890 • www.furbearermgmt.org  Conducts research on best management practices for trapping furbearers, which includes some nuisance species

National organizations:

The Fund for Animals
Urban Wildlife Office, PO Box 3665, Amity Station New Haven, CT 06525 (203) 389-4411 • www.fund.org 

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L Street, NW, Washington DC 20037 (202) 452-1100 • www.hsus.org

National Animal Control Association (NACA)
P.O. Box 480851, Kansas City MO, 64148. (800) 828-6474 • e-mail: naca@interserv.com www.nacanet.org  Publishes NACA News and NACA Training Guide. Operates the NACA Training Academy.

National Animal Damage Control Association (NADCA)
Mr. Ron Jones, Treasurer, NADCA, Route 1, Box 37 Shell Lake, WI 54871 Publishes a monthly newsletter, The Probe.

National Trappers Association (NTA)
PO Box 3667, Bloomington IL 61702-3667 (309) 829-242 • fax: (309) 829-7615 www.nationaltrappers.com  Offers liability insurance to members. Publishes Trapper and Predator Caller and American Trapper.

National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA)
1832 North Brazil Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46219 (317) 895-9060 • www.nwcoa.com  local chapter: region 7 (NY, MA, NH, CT, RI, VT, ME). Don LaFountain, CWCP, director: (413) 586-0890

The Wildlife Society
Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-2144 (301) 897-9770 • Fax: (301) 530-2471 Email: TWS@wildlife.org  • www.wildlife.org  Sponsors the Wildlife Damage Management Working Group.

Northeast regional organizations:

Northeast Association of Wildlife Damage Biologists (NEAWDB) Tim Algeo, President, P.O. Box 108 Worchester VT 05682 (802) 223-8690 Publishes quarterly Technical Notes newsletter.

Northeast Wildlife Damage Management Cooperative
Contact: Paul Curtis, pdc1@cornell.edu , or Gary San Julian, jgs9@psu.edu 
A partnership of universities and federal and state agencies from CT, DE, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VI, and West Virginia. Jointly run by Cornell University and Penn State University.

Wildlife Damage Control Center
Rutgers University, Snyder Research and Extension Farm,
Pittstown, NJ (908) 730-9419 • fax: (908) 735-8290

Wildlife Damage Management Program (Cornell)
(see listing under “state organization”)

State agencies:

NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Division of Animal Industry 1 Winners Circle, Albany, NY 12235
www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AI/AIHome.html 
Dr. John Huntley, Director. (800) 554-4501 ext. 73502

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC):
Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources, Bureau of Wildlife
: 625 Broadway, Albany, NY
12233-4750 (518) 402-8919 • fax: (518) 402-9027. Email: fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us 
www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/index.html  For a list of regional offices, see Appendix D

Wildlife Damage Management Unit: (518) 402-8924

Bureau of Pesticides Management: (518) 402-8760

There are many relevant resources on the DEC website, www.dec.state.ny.us, such as:

NYS Department of Health (DOH):

Rabies Lab: Wadsworth Center, PO Box 509, Albany NY 12201-0509 (518) 869-4527 • www.wadsworth.org/rabies 

Zoonoses Program: ESP, Corning Tower, Rm 621, Albany NY 12237-0627 (518) 474-3186 http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/zoonoses/zoonoses.htm  

Bureau of Injury Prevention: Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237 (518) 473-1143

Bureau of Controlled Substances: (for information about securing a Certificate of Need for the use of syringes and needles): 30 Watervliet Ave., Albany NY 12206 • (518) 457-0160

State organizations:

Cornell Cooperative Extension Wildlife Damage Management Program
Dept. of Natural Resources, Cornell University Room 108 Fernow Hall, Ithaca NY 14853-3001 (607) 255-2835 Email: pdc1@cornell.edu  http://wildlifecontrol.info/ccewdmp/Default.htm
Affililated with:

New York State Animal Control Assoc. (NYSACA)
c/o Jack Woods, P.O. Box 885, Oswego, NY 13126 (315) 598-3606

New York State Integrated Pest Management Program (NYS IPM)
NYSAES, Geneva, NY 14456-0462 (315) 787-2353 or (800) 635-8356 fax: (315) 787-2360 • Email: nysipm@cornell.edu  http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/

New York State Trappers Association (NYSTA)
3594 Black Creek Road, Cold Brook, NY 13324 (315) 826-7823 • Fax: (518) 392-6190 Email: nytrapper@hotmail.com  www.fortunecity.com/marina/indiabasin/552/index.htm  Secretary and treasurer: Peter Bartholonew

New York State Wildlife Management Association (NYSWMA)
c/o Robert Meakin, 5721 Middle Rd, R2 Box 176, Munnsville NY 13409 (315) 495-5561
http://www.nyswma.org/

BOOKS/MANUALS/GUIDELINES
Available from libraries and bookstores:

Field guides are an indispensable tool for NWCOs. Select a few for whichever species you handle, such as field guides for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or animal tracks and signs. There are several excellent, well-known series such as those published by Peterson, Audubon, Stokes, and National Geographic. Pick your favorites. Here are a few lesser-known guides that may also interest you:

Other notable books:

from the NYS DEC (see website):

Beaver Damage Control Techniques Manual. 1997. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. (to order, see listing under “state agency.”)

from Cornell University: (Order from Resource Center, 7 Business & Technology Park, Ithaca, NY 14850. (607) 255-2090.  Email: resctr@cornell.edu)

from The Wildlife Society (see listing under “national organization”):

from other state agencies/organizations:

Controlling Deer Damage. F. R. Henderson and C. Lee. 1992. Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service.  

Field Guide to Wildlife Diseases: General Field Procedures and Diseases of Birds. M. Friend J. C. Franson, and E. A. Ciganovich, eds. 1999. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division Information and Technology Report; 1999-001.  

Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases in the Southeastern United States. W. R. Davidson and V. F. Nettles. 1988. Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Diseases Study. [Contact Field Manual, Dept. Of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602]

A Homeowner’s Guide to Northeastern Bats and Bat Problems. L. Williams-Whitmer and M. Brittingham. 1995. State College: Penn State University Cooperative Extension. 22 pp.

NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests: To order, contact NPMA at (800) 678-6722. • NTA Trapping Handbook: A Guide for Better Trapping. T. Krause. 1984.

Pest Control Technician Safety Manual. L. Pinto and S. Kraft. 2000. Pinto & Associates, Maryland.

Pocket Guide to the Humane Control of Wildlife in Cities and Towns. G. R. Hodge, ed. 1991. Humane Society of United States.

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage. S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, G. E. Larson, eds. 1994. Cooperative Extension Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska. Available online at http://wildlifedamage.unl.edu/  , as a two-volume book, and on CD.

Skunk Ecology and Damage Management Techniques for Homeowners. R. Olson and A. M. Lewis. 1999. University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension.

Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations, 5th ed. G. W. Bennett, J. M. Owens, and R. M. Corrigan. 1997. Purdue Univesity/Advenstar Communications.

Vertebrate Pest Handbook. Austin M. Frishman. 1999. To order, contact Advanstar Communications, Customer Service, 131 West 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802 or call (218) 723-9180.

Wild Neighbors: The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife. J. Hadidian, G. Hodge, and J. Grandy, eds. 1997. The Humane Society of the United States.

Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook. S. Vantassel and T. Olander. 1998. Wildlife Damage Control.

Wildlife Pest Control Around Gardens and Homes. T. P. Salmon and R. E. Lickliter. 1984. University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications. (Contact: 6701 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA 94608-1239. 415-642-2431).

Wildlife Removal Handbook: A Guide for the Control and Capture of Wild Urban Animals. S. Vantassel. 1994. Wildlife Damage Control. (To order either title, see listing for Wildlife Damage Control under “magazines, journals, newsletters.”)

FACT SHEETS/BROCHURES

from Cornell University: • Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheets Series primary authors, Paul Curtis and Kristi Sullivan): some are online at http://wildlifecontrol.info/ccewdmp/ , otherwise, check with the Resource Center:

Evict and Exile Mice from Your Home J. Shultz, C. Koplinka-Loehr, K. Sharpe. 2000. New York State IPM Program. • IPM for Homes C. Koplinka-Loehr. 2000. New York State IPM Program.

Reducing Pesticide Exposure in the Home and Garden: Alternatives and Proper and Legal Use Resource Sheet. 1997. Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in NY State.

Resistance of Woody Ornamental Plants to Deer Damage. M. J. Fargione, P. D. Curtis, and M. E. Richmond. 1991. Home-Grounds-Garden Fact Sheet 800.00. Cornell Cooperative Extension.

from Pennsylvania State University:

• Wildlife Damage Control series (primary authors L. M. Williams-Whitmer and M. C. Brittingham):

• Integrated Pest Management for the Deer Tick. 1994.

from USDA-APHIS-WS (on their website, www.aphis.usda.gov/ws )

from other agencies and organizations:

Rabies Fact Sheet. 2000. New York State Department of Health. Publication 3010.

Skunk odor removal. T. Toburen. 2000. Paul W. Davis Systems, Inc. See: www.pdr-usa.com/misc/11.htm

 Snakes of New York (brochure). G. Johnson. 1994. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Urban wildlife fact sheet series. Fund for Animals. (especially the guidelines for choosing NWCOs?)

Wildlife Damage Management in Fruit Orchards. 1994

TECHNICAL ARTICLES/REPORTS/BIBLIOGRAPHIES

MAGAZINES/JOURNALS/NEWSLETTERS

American Trapper
National Trappers Association (NTA) PO Box 3667, Bloomington IL 61702-3667 (309) 829-242 • Fax: (309) 829-7615 www.nationaltrappers.com 

Fur-Fish-Game
2878 E. Main St. Columbus, OH 43209 (614) 231-9585 • Fax: (614) 231-5735 ffgservice@ameritech.net 

Furtaker Magazine
Fur Takers of America PO Box 18248 Louisville, KY 40261 www.furtakersofamerica.com 

Journal of Applied Ecology
Blackwell Science Ltd, Osney Mead Oxford OX2 0EL United Kingdom Phone: +44 1865 206206 • Fax: +44 1865 721205 Email: jnl.orders@blacksci.co.uk  www.blackwell-science.com/~cgilibjnlpage.asp?Journal=jappl&File=jappl 

Journal of Mammalogy
Allen Marketing & Management, 810 East 10th Street, P.O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-8897. phone (785) 843-1235 • fax (785) 843-1274 e-mail asm@allenpress.com  www.mammalsociety.org/pubjom/  published by The American Society of Mammalogists

Journal of Wildlife Management
www.wildlife.org/publications/index.cfm?tname=journal  published by The Wildlife Society

Pest Control Technology
4012 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113 (800) 456-0707 • www.pctonline.com/magazine 

Pest Control magazine
(888) 527-7008 • www.pestcontrolmag.com/pestcontrol/ 

The Probe
The University of Arizona School of Renewable Natural Resources Wildlife Damage Management 325 Biosciences East, Tucson, AZ 85721 (520) 621-7998 • Email: sullivan@ag.arizona.edu 

The Trapper and Predator Caller magazine
Circulation Dept. ABAU33; 700 E. State St., Iola WI, 54990-0001 (800) 258-0929 • www.krause.com/outdoors

Trapper’s World
PO Box 96, Galloway, OH 43119 (614) 878-6011

Wildlife Control Technology (W.C.T.) magazine
P.O. Box 480, Cortland IL, 60112 www.wctech.com 

Wildlife Damage Control Specialist Newsletter
Wildlife Damage Control (WDC), PMB 102, 340 Cooley St., Springfield, MA 01128 (413) 796-9916 • Fax: (413) 796-7819. E-mail: admin@wildlifedamagecontrol.com www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com 

Wildlife Society Bulletin
www.wildlife.org/publications/index.cfm?tname=journal  Published by The Wildlife Society

Websites

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology:
An online encyclopedia and museum of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and more. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/ 

Bat Conservation International: www.batcon.org 

The Berryman Institute for Wildlife Damage Management: www.berrymaninstitute.org 

Best Management Practices for Trapping Coyotes in the Eastern United States: www.furbearermanagement.org 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov 

• Dobbins’ Products: www.trapperman.com  • Includes many videos, publications, trapping tips, and a way to find trapping mentors

International Hunter Education Association: www.ihea.com 

Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management: http://wildlifedamage.unl.edu/ 

Michigan Wildlife Diseases: www.dnr.state.mi.us/Wildlife/Division/RoseLake/Publications/Disease_Manual/default.html#index 

National Wildlife Health Center: www.nwhc.usgs.gov/

National Wildlife Research Center (USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services): www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/nwrc

Nebraska Cooperative Extension: www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/wildlife/index.htm 

NYS Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program: http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu

Penn State University Cooperative Extension: www.extension.psu.edu/ 

Pesticide Management Education Program (Cornell University): http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu 

USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services: www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/ 

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: www.ca.uky.edu/ces 

Utah State University Publications: www.ext.usu.edu/publica/natrpubs.htm#wildlife 

Wadsworth Center Rabies Laboratory: www.wadsworth.org/rabies 

Wildlife Damage Management Program (Cornell): http://wildlifecontrol.info/ccewdmp/Default.htm and www.wildlifecontrol.info

LISTSERVS  

Wildlife Society listservs (several). Go to their website and follow the directions to subscribe. www.wildlife.org/professional/listserv.htm

NWCOA, members only listserv. For information, see their website at www.nwcoa.com 

WILDLIFE_OPERATOR’S listserv Run by Wildlifepro, this is a general NWCO listserv. Go to their website and follow the directions to subscribe. http://www.wildlifepro.com/listserv/index.htm 

WILDLIFE HEALTH listserv Run by the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), a Science Center of the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, this list focuses on wildlife health issues.

To subscribe, send an e-mail message to listserver@relay.doit.wisc.edu  with the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE WildlifeHealth firstname lastname. Substitute your own first and last names in the spaces indicated. For more information about the list, contact Joshua Dein, Joshua_Dein@nbs.gov

SULLIVAN’S TRAP LINE A trapper’s forum. Go to their website and follow the directions to subscribe. www.sullivansline.com/tline/tlhome.htm

VIDEOS

• Bat-free Belfries: A Guide to Bat-Proofing. L. M. Willias-Whitmer and M. C. Brittingham. 1995. Pennsylvania State University.

• The Facts About Bats: Exploring Conflicts and Designing Solutions. (29 min.). 2002. Cornell Cooperative Extension.

• Suburban Deer Management: Voices, Views, Visions (28 min.). 1993. Cornell Cooperative Extension. 147VSDM. • Suburban Goose Management: Searching for Balance (28 min.). 1998. Cornell Cooperative Extension. 147VSGM. [see complementary manual, Managing Canada Geese in Urban Environments].

• Summertime Beaver Control. (1 hr. 37 min.). Charles and Paul Dobbins. Dobbins’ Products.

• Whitetails at the Crossroads. (30 min.). 1996. Cornell Cooperative Extension. 147VWC.

 COURSES/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES

• “Professional’s Corner” of the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management: http://wildlifedamage.unl.edu/ 

• Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference Offered in the fall of years ending in an odd number, such as 2003, 2005.

• Vertebrate Pest Conference Offered in the spring of years ending in an even number (2004, 2006), this conference is hosted by a different university each time. To receive info, fill out the mailing list form on this website: http://www.vpconference.org

• Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference Rotates around the 13 northeastern states, usually hosted by that state’s lead wildlife agency.

• WCT/NWCOA National Conference An annual conference

National Goose Control Academy An annual two-day workshop that includes classroom and field training. Contact Kirk La Pierre, (201) 933-9700 or (877) 667-6674, kirk@goosecontrol.com  or Tim Julien, (317) 895-9069, tjulien@iquest.com 

• New England Nuisance Wildlife Control Seminar offered in the spring by the CT NWCOA, in conjunction with their annual meeting

• NYS Wildlife Mgmt. Association Spring seminar held in conjunction with their annual meeting

NACA Training Academy: provides three levels of certification for animal control professionals. See www.nacanet.org/tracadmy.htm  • Oregon State: 10 week video course

 • Utah State University Extension course: • independent study in wildlife damage management http://extension.usu.edu/conted/db/indepst2.cfm 

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