Regulations WCOs Should Support

In last week’s blog, I provided three reasons wildlife control operators (WCOs) should support regulations for their industry. Now, I would like to list several industry regulations WCOs should support. I contend that the listed regulations should be supported by WCOs because they will improve the professionalism of the industry, protect the environment, and safeguard the interests of consumers.

Regulations WCOs Should Support

The following regulatory suggestons are listed in no particular order.

• Liability Insurance: State WCO regulations should require WCOs to carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance. This insurance is not prohibitively expensive and goes a long way to protect customers from damages caused by maloccurence, malpractice, and just plain bad luck, while simultaneously reducing fly-by-night WCOs.
• Licensing Exams: State WCO regulations should require those who wishing to obtain a WCO license to pass an exam that assessess relevant knowledge of state wildlife laws and proper WCO practices.
• Continuing Education: States WCO regulations should require WCOs to undergo continuing education training to maintain their licenses. Just as pest control operators must obtain continuing education credits to keep their licenses, so WCOs should also be required to keep learning to maintain theirs.
• Broad Powers: State WCO regulations should give WCO license holders broad powers to control vertebrate pests. Too many states presently treat WCOs as glorified fur trappers, thereby saddling them with onerous restrictions that prevent WCOs from efficiently resolving human-wildlife conflicts. In some cases, WCOs are forced to use techniques that increase animal suffering.
• Advertising Restrictions: State WCO regulations should state that ONLY licensed WCOs may advertise wildlife control services. This rule would allow game wardens to cite individuals and companies for advertising services that they are not licensed to do, thereby protecting licensed WCOs and the general public.

If you would like a proposed draft of regulations, click WCORegsProposal11-2-19

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 (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). 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.