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Science Denier?

“You’re a science denier!” is a slur frequently touted against those who state that they doubt that climate change is human caused. The slur has strong emotional appeal because it suggests that the person accused is failing to appreciate the mountain of evidence and therefore must be someone who is still living in a fantasy land of Santa Claus and Elves. The slur has powerful effects because it shuts down conversation, debate, and shoves the accused into the intellectual equivalent of a ghetto. Presumably, the accusers hope that the “time out” and social ostracism experienced by the accused will help bring the accused to their intellectual senses and then ultimately join the community of the enlightened.

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

This blog entry, however, is not about climate change and its real or alleged causes. Instead, it deals with a different issue, namely hunting grizzly bears. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined that grizzly bears have reached populations high enough to sustain regulated hunting https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/es/grizzlyBear.php. Most people would be glad that the majestic grizzly bear species (Ursus arctos horribilis) has recovered enough to justify harvest. With so much bad environmental news around, it would seem that bear recovery would be grounds for rejoicing.

Unfortunately, that is not what happened. Self-identified environmental groups sued the USFWS decision and according to https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/judge-temporarily-blocks-hunt-of-yellowstone-grizzlies/article_f133334e-9a1f-5117-af55-f61213261d62.html a judge has blocked the hunt in Yellowstone, at least temporarily.

Now the question I have is this. How is it that if one denies that climate change is caused by human actions, one is labelled a “science denier” yet if one opposes a grizzly bear hunt then that person is called an “environmentalist”. How is it that scientists can “know” the causes behind something as complex as climate but other scientists are unable to adequately determine if there are enough grizzly bears to sustain hunting? Does it really seem reasonable that knowledge of one is easier to determine than the other?

Of course not. But in our age of spin, disinformation, and truth as perspective only, there are no objective truths. Just power, feelings, and perspectivalism. It seems now that science has succumbed because the scientists who quickly will accuse others of being science deniers seem to be quite silent about the denial of science in regards to grizzly bear populations.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, 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 along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. 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.

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Frightening Devices

Frightening devices are pieces of equipment that attempt to get unwanted wildlife to leave an area through the use of fear. Fear invoking product can only be categorized as a frightening device if it causes fear by non-chemical means. For if chemical means are used, then the product would be a repellent and likely governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The owl effigy is perhaps the most famous and well known frightening device. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel.
The owl effigy is perhaps the most famous and well known frightening device. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel.

There are a myriad of products marketed as frightening devices available to consumers. The reason why there are so many is due to their perceived humanness. The device doesn’t “harm” the animals, it only scares them and sends them on their way to another place. Another reason consumers buy them is because they are relatively cheap and easy to use. Just install and the device does all the work. In contrast trapping, requires you to set the trap, bait it, and check it on a regular basis. Then if an animal is caught, you have to “do” something with it, such as kill it, release it, or more likely drive it down the road and dump it so the animal becomes someone else’s problem or dies in an unfamiliar environment.

Frightening devices do work, at least for the short term. This quick effectiveness helps continue the story that they work all the time. Unfortunately, as a general rule, frightening devices only work for a few weeks. After that time, animals quickly learn that the device does not pose a real threat. The ability of animals to become accustomed and ultimately ignore frightening devices is called habituation. Just like we can learn to ignore a persistent noise, animals too can learn that a frightening device is nothing to be frightened of.

How quickly animals learn to ignore a frightening device depends on several factors including, how desirable the site is, the personality of the animal/species, the novelty and/or severity of the frightening device, time of year etc. You may wonder what my opinion is of frightening devices. Well, I have a pretty negative view of them as a rule. Most fail to fulfil client expectations. The one’s that don’t often will irritate the client, neighbors, or are so time intensive or expensive that they are not feasible.

Bottom Line

Understand that frightening devices are an important tool. But be aware of their limitations and don’t allow yourself to be oversold on their use.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, 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 along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. 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.

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5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a WCO

5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a WCO

While I give tips on how to handle your own animal damage problems, there are times when you just want to hire a wildlife control operator (WCO). The problem is you don’t want to hire a bad one. Since Spring is upon us, I thought it might help my visitors evaluate contractors to find the best WCO. That is why I am giving you 5 questions to ask before hiring a WCO to handle your wildlife problem.

WCO (Wildlife Control Operator). Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
WCO (Wildlife Control Operator). Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Before we get to the questions, you need to understand the difference between pest controller operators (PCO) and WCO, also known as Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) also known as Problem Animal Controllers (PAC). A PCO is someone who handles bugs through the use of poison. A WCO is someone who handles vertebrate pests (animals with a backbone) with traps, exclusion etc. PCOs are licensed through their state’s Dept. of Food and Agriculture or Department of Agriculture. WCOs, if their state licenses them at all, will be regulated usually by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or Department of Natural Resources.

Obviously, the first thing you should do is to look for a WCO (Wildlife Control Operator) to handle your wildlife problem and not a (PCO) Pest Control Operator. Once you know what you are looking for you should ask the following 5 questions before hiring a WCO.

1. Ask how many years have you been a WCO? This question is not to be confused with how many years in the PCO (Pest Control Operator) business. Bug killing is very different from controlling wildlife. Too many PCOs start doing WCO work with little to no trapping or wildlife experience.

2. Are you licensed? Is the contractor licensed to do animal damage control work in the state you live in? While some states don’t require licenses, many do. Ask if the person has completed a state certified trapping course. While most trapping courses teach fur trapping (not nuisance work), going through the training gives at least information about state laws.

3. Do you carry liability insurance? A surprising number do not.

4. Can you send me a copy of the contract? Does the WCO provide a clear contract along with an explanation of what services he/she will and will not provide?

5. Ask if the WCO is a member of the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA). Membership doesn’t prove competence, but it does show a certain level of commitment to the industry. Don’t just take their word for it. Contact the Association at NWCOA.com to see if the person is a member. Full disclosure, I am the Western Director for the Association.

These aren’t the only questions that you should ask, but they are an important start. You want your wildlife problem resolved inexpensively but also properly. Don’t let the stress of wildlife problems force you to make a bad hiring decision.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, 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 along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. 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.

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Prevention & Control of Wildlife Damage 5th Ed?

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage 5th Ed?

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage 4th Edition
Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage 4th Edition

Some of you may be familiar with the Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage 4th edition that was published in 1994. It has been the Bible of wildlife control for decades. You can see it at icwdm.org. But it’s getting a bit dated. Though the field of wildlife damage management does not change as quickly as high tech fields, it has developed new tools and techniques. Most of the techniques and tools help wildlife control operators resolve conflicts faster or with greater precision than the older methods. Don’t get me wrong, the Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage 4th ed. still has value. Biology and damage identification tips can be helpful. But the control methods sections (as a rule) are woefully out of date. So read the book with caution as you are likely not getting the full story of techniques as they have evolved.

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage 4th Edition
Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage 4th Edition was published in 1994 as a two-volume set.

Fortunately, the USDA-Wildlife Services agency is publishing an update albeit slowly, but surely.

Check it out at USDA-Wildlife Services Technical Series 

I think you will be impressed. I would recommend that you bookmark it and revisit it about every other month as USDA-Wildlife Services will add articles as they become available. I have a few that I have written with my co-authors that are awaiting publication.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, 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 along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. 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.

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Bat Bites

Bat Bites

Bat caught in a blind that could have bitten a person in the room. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel
Bat caught in a blind that could have bitten a person in the room. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel

A 6 year old child died from contact with a rabid bat. According to the news, the boy was awake and put his hand on the bat. He wasn’t taken to the hospital for prophylactic rabies shots. Ultimately, that decision seemed to have cost the child his life. Learn more at 6-year Old dies of rabies. The key here is that bat bites are serious. While a person should certainly know if he/she was bitten while they were awake, frequently bat bites occur when the person is sleeping or under the influence. Parents and caregivers should be particularly concerned about children or the mentally disabled as they may lack the awareness or ability to know or express that they have had contact with a bat.

Take the presence of a bat inside the living space seriously. Capture the bat safely and without harming its brain. Then contact your local health department and have them discuss with you whether rabies testing of the bat and/or whether any family members or pets need to obtain rabies prophylaxis treatment.

Learn more about rabies by visiting CDC.gov and about bats in structures at Management of House Bats

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, 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 along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. 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.