| In it's simplest of forms; Nuisance Wildlife | | | | with animals, this would not be a good career |
| Management is resolving human/wildlife conflicts in | | | | move for you. |
| the most efficient, humane and professional way | | | | How do you enter into this field? |
| possible. This very unique career field involves | | | | It can be difficult to find a position with a |
| many facets of wildlife management. One day | | | | governmental agency in this industry. The |
| could find you working to solve a beaver problem | | | | positions that do come available are usually quickly |
| that is flooding a neighborhood and the next you | | | | filled. |
| are finding a new home for a family of squirrels | | | | Federal agencies such as Wildlife Services section |
| that are living in an attic. | | | | of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service |
| Human/wildlife conflicts can range from coyotes | | | | (APHIS) have field and support staff positions |
| capturing urban pets, birds nesting and roosting on | | | | working with human/wildlife conflicts. Wildlife |
| residential and commercial buildings to rodents and | | | | Services agents help farmers and ranchers control |
| other mammals living in structures. Almost any | | | | predators and protect their herds. |
| wildlife species can be a source for a wildlife | | | | State agencies may be the Division of Wildlife or |
| conflict. Some people might not think that ducks | | | | the Division of Natural Resources. Each state may |
| could do any damage, but when they are living in | | | | have their own unique name they call their |
| your swimming pool, that can be a big nuisance! | | | | agency. Generally a state Division of Wildlife does |
| With the encroachment of civilization into suburbia | | | | not get involved directly in wildlife control, but will |
| and abundant food sources that come along with | | | | assist with information to the landowner. |
| this growth, it has created the perfect | | | | City agencies such as Animal Control will normally |
| environment for wildlife. In a city or suburb, there | | | | control the dog and cat issues in a town or city. |
| are few if any predators. Cars and the occasional | | | | Private companies are the backbone of support |
| bird of prey are generally the only concern for | | | | for resolving human/wildlife conflicts. Wildlife |
| wildlife in urban environments. The animals lose | | | | Management Professionals are the ones who |
| their fear of humans and come to co-habitate | | | | resolve wildlife problems every day and are the |
| with them quite nicely. | | | | core responsible industry. Some companies are |
| So...with all of this nice wildlife habitat, why | | | | one person operators and some have a fleet of |
| wouldn't the wildlife feel as if the welcome matt is | | | | service vehicles. A All Animal Control is one such |
| out? Wildlife thrives well and can get out of | | | | company that offers franchises of their Wildlife |
| control! | | | | Management System in all areas of the United |
| That is where we as Nuisance Wildlife Managers | | | | States. |
| come to the aid of homeowners, private | | | | What does the future hold for Wildlife |
| companies and governmental agencies. We assess | | | | Management Professionals? |
| the conflict; provide recommendations and | | | | The future appears very bright for this industry. |
| solutions and finally prevention strategies to | | | | With the growing population in the U.S., more |
| prevent another occurrence of the wildlife | | | | encroachment will occur and habitat will be lost. |
| problem. | | | | This all translates into more human/wildlife |
| A typical day in the life of a Nuisance Wildlife | | | | conflicts and a growing problem in America. |
| Manager | | | | Advice for career seekers |
| There really is not what you would call a "typical | | | | If you are considering this type of work, some |
| day" in this career. Every project is different and | | | | preparation is in order. |
| every situation has its own uniqueness. This | | | | First, it would be good to have an educational |
| makes for a challenging work environment and | | | | background in wildlife biology or biology in general. |
| holds your interest to the project at hand. You | | | | Wildlife damage management course work would |
| have to be part investigator, part animal controller | | | | be preferred and as much hands on or internship |
| and part client service representative. | | | | programs will help make you a more immediately |
| A day may involve setting up cages for a | | | | valuable member of any team. Employers are |
| raccoon that is in an attic. Then you are off to | | | | looking for people who can communicate well, are |
| remove a starling nest out of a dryer vent. Next, | | | | organized and who work well with the general |
| will find you searching for a black rat snake that | | | | public. Self confidence is a must as this translate |
| has invaded a basement and you're off again to | | | | into your clients trusting you to be their Wildlife |
| the next challenge of removing moles that have | | | | Expert! But most of all, a professional attitude and |
| destroyed a nicely manicured lawn. | | | | demeanor is very important as you will be |
| Your day may change by the hour with an | | | | working with live animals and the publics' |
| emergency call that comes in to remove a | | | | perception of how you deal with them. |
| squirrel from a fireplace. Make no mistake. It's not | | | | Finally |
| boring! | | | | |
| During the busier seasons of spring and fall, days | | | | Working in the Nuisance Wildlife Management field |
| may be longer than usual and sometimes up to | | | | has been the most rewarding thing I have ever |
| 10-12 hours depending on work load. | | | | done. When you are able to make a difference in |
| What does it take to be a Nuisance Wildlife | | | | your client's lives and improve their quality of life, |
| Professional? | | | | they are happy beyond compare. Your home is |
| It takes someone who has a desire to learn. | | | | often you most valuable asset and it should be |
| Someone who possesses discipline, integrity, | | | | protected and free from wildlife and the diseases |
| honesty, some knowledge of wildlife and a general | | | | they can carry. |
| knowledge and the skills to do small home repairs. | | | | I ask that you investigate the opportunities in this |
| The ability to climb ladders; work in small spaces | | | | field and find what the right fit is for you. This can |
| such as attics and crawl spaces and sometimes | | | | be a very rewarding career and very enjoyable |
| at heights. If you are afraid of heights or working | | | | as well! |