New Hampshire Wildlife Control Operator Level II Class

Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs) in New Hampshire are required to complete a day-long workshop (the WCO Level II Class) prior to conducting business in the state. (Call 603- 868-1095 for information.) In addition, a N.H. Fish and Game Trapper Education Course must be completed (for Trapper Education course listings, click here).

Next WCO class: The WCO Level II Class is offered once each year in January. The class is free, but you must pre-register. The next class will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013. Click here for a print-and-mail application.

For more information, or to be put on a mailing list for future WCO certification classes, contact 603-271-2461 or e-mail wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov.  Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. 

For more on the licensing requirements for WCO Operators, click here.

WCO Course Overview

Place:
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
11 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH
East/West Conference Room (first floor)

Time:
Arrive by 8:15 to register. Class starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. Late arrivals will be denied certification.

The workshop covers the following topics:

• Laws and regulations
• Wildlife biology and ecology
• Best management practices including exclusion, repellants and proper trapping techniques.
• Consideration of humane issues with wildlife
• Euthanasia
• Landowner relations
• Diseases, hazards and risks
• Ethical operations and expectations for conducting control in NH

Following is the usual agenda for the Wildlife Control Operator II Workshop:

Wildlife Control Operator II Workshop
NH Fish & Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Dr. Concord
8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8:15  Registration

8:30  Introduction

8:35  Pat Tate, Furbearer Project Leader, NH Fish & Game

• Introduction, Species Life History.

9:15  Conservation Officer, NH Fish & Game

• Reading and discussing the rules for operating a wildlife control business in NH.

10:00 Break

10:15  Wildlife Specialist, USDA APHIS, NH Wildlife Services

• Advice and materials available.
• Which animals are most frequently considered nuisance.
• Responsibilities for deer, bear, and moose complaints in New Hampshire.

11:00  Wildlife Specialist, USDA APHIS, NH Wildlife Services

• Federally protected species and laws.
• What is legal for WCO II’s to handle.
• Permits for waterfowl control.
• Controlling federally protected species.
• Techniques for preventing reoccurrences, repellants, scare devices.
• Best Management Practices for avian species.

11:45  Linda Verville, Wildlife Programs Specialist, NH Fish & Game

• How to submit your annual report.
• How to sign up for the NHF&G WCO II list for referrals from Fish and Game.

12:00 Lunch -- on your own

12:30  Richard Kingston, DVM

• Capturing and handling wildlife human/wildlife disease concerns and hazards.
• Humane issues including proper euthanasia techniques for wildlife.

2:00  Emily Brunkhurst, Wildlife Biologist, NH Fish & Game

• NH bats and White Nose Syndrome.

2:30  Paul Debow, Debow Wildlife Services

• Site evaluation, including trap placement techniques.
• Ethical trapping and exclusion methods. 
• Preventing further conflicts.

3:00  Mike Morrison, NH Trappers Association

• Land owner skills, site evaluation.
• Your responsibilities as a WCO.
• Avoiding non-target animals and Best Management Practices.

3:20 Wrap-up

3:30 Certificate presentation

  For more information on Trapping in New Hampshire, click here.