Choosing a Career in Wildlife Control

I had been asked for information on this career by a Vocational Career Counselor. WCC hopes to help career counselors to understand more about this occupation.

Defining Terms

• Trappers are normally fur trappers. Trappers are people who seek animals for their fur. This occupation is usually a hobby or a part time business except for a few individuals.
• Animal damage controllers (ADC), wildlife control operators (WCO), nuisance wildlife control operators (NWCO), wildlife controllers by contrast are people paid by customers to remove  problem animals. While there is overlap between these two jobs, (as people can do both and often do) they are in many respects different. Animal damage controllers work year round. Fur trappers work in the fall and winter.
• Pest Control is a different industry. Pest control deals primarily with bugs, mice and rats and often use pesticides. Animal damage controllers, by contrast, rarely use pesticides and handle wildlife such as squirrels, skunks, raccoons, moles, voles, beaver, etc.

 Key Facts about Animal Damage Control

When choosing a career in wildlife control, one must keep in mind that most animal damage controllers are self-employed. They tend to be a very independent bunch and don’t like working for others. However, some of the larger companies do hire workers. While not many have reached this size, the industry is maturing and so the opportunities for employment are growing.

Normally, these companies are contracted by the customer for a specific problem, i.e. squirrels in attic. The relationship ends when the problem is resolved. Sort of like the way people hire a plumber to fix a leak. You pay for the service and the plumber leaves when the problem is resolved.

Legal Issues for Wildlife Controllers

Most states require a license. These licenses will be issued through the state’s division of fisheries and wildlife or similar sounding agency. Wildlife control is controversial. Potential workers need to understand that humane issues are a prime concern. Failure to follow standard procedures can result in severe legal and publicity problems. The field is still lacking many regulations so entry into the field is relatively easy.

Occupational Requirements

• Physically demanding. Success in this field will require walking, climbing ladders, scaling roofs, crawling under buildings and into attics. If you cannot lift 80 pounds or more comfortably, you would not be able to work with ladders. Animals can weigh anywhere from 2 pounds for a gray squirrel to 20 pounds with a raccoon to 50 pounds for a beaver. While the weight doesn’t appear to be that high, remember, you will need to carry the trap away from your body which causes the weight to feel heavier due to reduced leverage.
  Carrying caged animals off roofs adds to the danger as the animal will run back and forth in the cage thereby shifting the weight of the cage. Failure to prepare for the change can cause a catastrophic fall off the ladder.
• Dangerous: Job exposes the worker to dangers from animals, heights and crawl spaces. Exposure to zoonotic diseases is a real risk.
• Methodical: Workers need to perform similar tasks with consistent accuracy and thoroughness.
  Responsible: Workers will need to remember where traps have been set. In some cases, dozens of traps located around a city will need to be remembered and checked daily no matter what the weather.
• Driver’s license: Worker will need to be able to operate a light to heavy truck safely while under time pressure.
• Customer Relations: Workers will be required to have high customer service skills. Work is often done inside homes with customers watching. Phone skills is a definite must.
• Ability to work without supervision. Work is often lonely and without supervision of a boss or client.

 Opportunities for Training

Wildlife Control Consultant has lots of materials to train individuals in for the career in wildlife control. I have published book, such as

• Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, rev. ed.
• Wildlife Removal Handbook, 3rd ed. 

WCC is also available for personalized training either in person or via the phone or internet. For a list of trainings visit Trainings.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Updated 7/1/2020

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.