NWCO - Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Laws, Regulations, and Permits Questions and Answers

Question 1

A NWCO is hired to remove a flock of Canada geese from a corporate campus where they have become aggressive towards employees.
The geese have several active nests with eggs.
Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), what is the correct first step the NWCO or landowner must take?

Accepted Answer

Apply for a federal depredation permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Answer

Destroy the nests and eggs immediately to encourage the geese to leave.

Answer

Use pyrotechnics and dogs to haze the geese away from the property.

Answer

Capture and relocate the adult geese to a nearby state park.

Question 2

A client reports a raccoon in their attic that has caused significant damage to insulation and wiring. According to most state regulations, which of the following actions is a licensed NWCO generally permitted to take with this nuisance animal?

Accepted Answer

Trap and euthanize the animal or relocate it according to state and local guidelines.

Answer

Sell the captured raccoon to a licensed fur dealer.

Answer

Relocate the raccoon to a national forest several counties away.

Answer

Live-trap the animal and release it on-site after sealing entry points.

Question 3

Which of the following situations would most likely require a NWCO to obtain a special permit *in addition* to their standard Nuisance Wildlife Control license?

Accepted Answer

Setting traps for a beaver that is flooding a farmer's field.

Answer

Trapping squirrels that are damaging a homeowner's garden.

Answer

Removing a skunk from under a residential deck.

Answer

Live-capturing opossums from a commercial dumpster area.

Question 4

A NWCO is called to a property to deal with a bat colony in the attic. The operator identifies them as a native species. What is a critical regulatory consideration before the NWCO can perform an exclusion?

Accepted Answer

Seasonal restrictions related to bat maternity colonies.

Answer

The use of pesticides to fumigate the attic space.

Answer

Any local ordinances regarding noise from exclusion devices.

Answer

The market value of bat guano as a fertilizer.

Question 5

Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), what is the legal status of a plant or animal that is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of of its range?

Accepted Answer

Threatened

Answer

Extirpated

Answer

Of Special Concern

Answer

Non-game

Question 6

A NWCO traps a nuisance animal and discovers it appears sick or diseased. According to common regulations and best practices, what is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Humanely euthanize the animal and dispose of the carcass as directed by the state wildlife agency or health department.

Answer

Release the animal immediately in a remote area.

Answer

Take the animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Answer

Keep the animal for observation to see if it recovers.