Wildlife Control Operator Class Offered January 26, 2017

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) training class, offered once a year, will take place on January 26, 2017, at Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H., from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

There is no charge for the one-day class, but pre-registration is required. To sign up, visit www.wildnh.com/wildlife/wco-classes.html and download a print-and-mail registration form. You can also request a registration form by calling (603) 271-2461 or e-mailing wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov.

Participants MUST be present by 8:15 a.m.; late arrivals will be denied certification.

The course is presented by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, the New Hampshire Trappers Association, and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services.

A Wildlife Control Operator license is required for anyone planning to provide commercial nuisance wildlife control in New Hampshire, except for licensed trappers during the regulated trapping seasons. As part of the WCO licensing requirement, you must complete the day-long WCO class given once a year in Concord, as well as successfully completing a Fish and Game Trapper Education certification course.

The Wildlife Control Operator program was created in recognition of situations where wildlife removal or exclusion needs to occur outside of the regulated seasons and in response to the increasing publics request for-hire wildlife nuisance services which often include trapping. The WCO training class includes presentations on the wildlife exclusions, capture and handling of wildlife, humane and ethical concerns, relevant New Hampshire state laws and rules, federal rules covering certain species, wildlife diseases, best management practices and proper trapping techniques. For more information and a full agenda for the WCO class, visit www.wildnh.com/wildlife/wco-classes.html.

New Hampshire Fish and Game works to conserve, manage and protect populations of all furbearing wildlife and the habitats they need for survival today and into the future. Data reported by Wildlife Control Operators is used by the Department to monitor furbearer populations.