Post by: Humptulips on February 09, 2023, 12:05:22 PM
As a result of a WSTA members WCO expiration I have had a conversation via e-mail about this.
We have been used to getting a renewal of our permits at any time when we realized they were expired. That apparently has come to an end. If your permit expires without a request for renewal, they are going to make you take the class again.
WDFW has had a FAQ on their website implying that they would renew a WCO permit if applied for within three years. Do not rely on this.
On a personal note, this spurred me to check my permit and I see it expired about 3 months ago. I'll request a renewal and report on what happens.
An issue came up with Special trapping permits also but I will make a separate post on that.
Post by: Humptulips on February 09, 2023, 04:31:08 PM
Post by: redi on February 09, 2023, 04:36:22 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 09, 2023, 04:48:36 PM
They should have let all the previous WCO know by email of this change.
Post by: HillHound on February 09, 2023, 05:10:11 PM
Well, My permit expired on 10/9/22 and they are going to make me retake the class.Wow! That’s just ridiculous. I’m not sure who they have teach the class but I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that you probably have far more field experience than them. You should probably be teaching them a class
Post by: Trapper John on February 09, 2023, 08:05:29 PM
Bruce,
They use to let us know when your permit expired, is there some where on the WDFW site you could look up to see if yours expired?
JC
Post by: Humptulips on February 09, 2023, 08:49:43 PM
As far as I know there is only one way to check on your permit expiration and that is to look at the permit they sent you. You could call and ask them to check or e-mail but they seem disinclined to help a person out.
Post by: Machias on February 10, 2023, 10:55:19 AM
Well, My permit expired on 10/9/22 and they are going to make me retake the class.
:yike: What a crock!
Post by: Norman89 on February 10, 2023, 11:41:20 AM
Post by: Machias on February 10, 2023, 11:55:06 AM
Good morning,
This email is to inform you that we are hosting our spring 2023 Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) training on March 8th. Please use this opportunity to review your certification expiration date to ensure it is currently valid. As noted on your signed copy of your certificate, your certification is valid for three (3) years, and is the responsibility of each WCO to request a renewal. If your certification has expired as of December 31st, 2022 and you plan on continuing to provide WCO services in the state of Washington, you are required to attend this training to renew your certificate. If you continue to operate with an expired certification, you risk a violation of WAC 220-440-100. Information on how to register for the March training can be found at the link below.
At this time, there is no procedure in place for a grace period for expired certifications. Application for renewal must happen before your expiration date in order to simply renew.
Instructions on registration for this course can be found on our website using the following link: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/nuisance-wildlife/wildlife-control-operators/faq#online.
Thank you for understanding and we look forward to our continued collaboration.
This message was sent using an automated distribution list based on available records. If you are no longer in service due to a previous violation, you must be in compliance with RCW 77.15 and cleared prior to applying for this training. If you are no longer in service due to retirement from the WCO industry, you may disregard this message.
Respectfully,
WDFW Special Trapping
Post by: Humptulips on February 10, 2023, 12:29:54 PM
Imagine this if you will, if you didn't renew your hunting license before the old one expired, every year having to retake hunter education. Makes about as much sense.
Post by: Machias on February 10, 2023, 12:53:45 PM
Yea, I asked them to inform WCOs if they were going to go this route. They never replied but I guess they rethought things and decided to send out a notice.
Imagine this if you will, if you didn't renew your hunting license before the old one expired, every year having to retake hunter education. Makes about as much sense.
:yeah:
Post by: Mt.Beaver on February 11, 2023, 10:38:49 AM
Post by: bugs n bones on February 11, 2023, 02:39:07 PM
Post by: Trapper John on February 11, 2023, 06:51:46 PM
I suggested they send out notification of impending permit expirations. They were unresponsive.
As far as I know there is only one way to check on your permit expiration and that is to look at the permit they sent you. You could call and ask them to check or e-mail but they seem disinclined to help a person out.
Found mine .............. :IBCOOL: ............... in the last place I would look. My wallet :chuckle:
I'm still good have been ............. yep ........... since 1986 when they were called "Department of Game"
I'm Probably one of the last originals guys that started with this prigram.
Damn I'm getting old :bash:
JC :hello:
Post by: Goshawk on February 12, 2023, 12:32:06 PM
Post by: Mustelidae on February 12, 2023, 01:08:28 PM
So, what's a good study guide for the WCO class?https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/nuisance-wildlife/wildlife-control-operators/faq#faq
The info in the frequently asked questions section is most of what you need to know. In my opinion the class was a waste of time. They spent hours talking about bats, ticks, and disease. Then they skimmed over the trapping stuff as quickly and as vaguely as they could.
Post by: JakeLand on February 12, 2023, 01:42:39 PM
So, what's a good study guide for the WCO class?you can’t fail it , it’s a everyone gets a participant award
Post by: blackdog on February 12, 2023, 05:15:33 PM
Post by: Cougartail on February 12, 2023, 06:44:29 PM
So, what's a good study guide for the WCO class?you can’t fail it , it’s a everyone gets a participant award
They need trappers so this is expected. If we didnt trap for them and bill customers they would have to hire more agents at a high cost.
Post by: Trapper John on February 13, 2023, 05:10:16 PM
So, what's a good study guide for the WCO class?
So, what's a good study guide for the WCO class?you can’t fail it , it’s a everyone gets a participant award
Just show up and give them your $50.00 that is all they want.
They don't know anything about WCO work and they don't monitor the program either.
There is "No" test at the end of it, everyone get to be a WCO.
Like I said its all about the money for them. They need to "Create" revenue
Post by: Bigjon on February 14, 2023, 11:30:30 AM
Post by: Humptulips on February 14, 2023, 11:40:13 AM
Post by: Goshawk on March 08, 2023, 08:26:12 PM
So, what's a good study guide for the WCO class?So, what's a good study guide for the WCO class?you can’t fail it , it’s a everyone gets a participant award
Well, I paid my $50. Showed up, and yes there is a test. I got them all correct without breaking a sweat, but no there also an application process once the test is logged in? Lot's of hoops for someone who's been trapping since 1974.
Just show up and give them your $50.00 that is all they want.
They don't know anything about WCO work and they don't monitor the program either.
There is "No" test at the end of it, everyone get to be a WCO.
Like I said its all about the money for them. They need to "Create" revenue
Post by: Mustelidae on March 09, 2023, 06:42:55 AM
Yep just fill this out and send it in. Then your good to go
Post by: Goshawk on April 22, 2023, 04:57:22 PM
WDFW Wildlife Control Operator Training
March 8th, 2023 - Question & Answer Session
1. Do WCOs need to report on domestic animals as bycatch? If so, where did the
required reporting on domestic animals as bycatch come from? When did this
language get included? How is WDFW using these data?
a. After review, we could not find law or policy requiring domestic pets must be
reported as bycatch. We also did not see language regarding domestic pets on
previous or current reporting forms. That said, please consider the following:
i. Best management practices: We encourage reporting of all bycatch (wild or
domestic) to best support the success of WCOs as they endeavor in their
business ventures. If a pattern of bycatch becomes apparent, we are happy to
work with the WCO in reviewing methods of site selection, determining if it
is the WCOs best interest to accept specific jobs, etc.
b. On Special Trapping Permits, future permits may be denied if a practitioner shows
repeated negligence in unethical trapping using body-gripping traps (WAC 220-417-
040;14c).
2. Are annual reports for licensed trappers online using the WILD system the same
reporting system for WCOs, or are they separate?
a. They are currently separate as we need to be able to differentiate harvest from
recreation versus conflict. We understand there may be some confusion as there
appears to be an option to report WCO harvest under the licensed trapper online
report system, but we are developing a separate option to report WCO harvest using
the WILD system website.
3. Can WDFW provide a list of species classifications?
a. Per WAC 220-440-060, WCOs are limited to working with predatory birds,
unclassified wildlife, and some small game/furbearing species including gray squirrel,
raccoon, fox, bobcat, beaver, muskrat, mink, river otter, weasel, hare, and cottontail
rabbits.
b. Page 151 of the 2015-2021 Game Management Plan lists the classification of small
game, furbearers, and unclassified species. https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01676
c. You can also find classification of game and furbearing animals in WAC 220-400-020
https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=220-400-020
4. Can drones be used to check traps?
a. There are no known laws or policies prohibiting WCOs from utilizing drones to
check traps, however, please consider the following:
i. Landowner permission
ii. Best management practices
1. Stress on any captured animals.
2. What is the distance that the drone would need to travel versus
physically check traps on the property?
3. The benefit of physically checking traps is to see if there has been any
disturbance to your set and the ability to fix/adjust sets as needed.
Not only could there be exposed metal or blocked access to the traps
due to animal activity, weather, etc., that may affect capture success,
but there is also risk of a reducing best practices/ethical capture if the
set is disturbed and the animal approaches a trap from the wrong
angle or direction.
5. Can WDFW provide this presentation to trainees?
a. Yes! Please see the attached PDF on the email adjoining this Q&A.
6. What are some best management practices for CO2 chamber designs?
a. 2020 AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia – Part II Methods of Euthanasia M1.6
b. New York DEC NWCO Website: Carbon dioxide chamber
c. Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
7. There is a crow hunting season – why do WCOs need to follow federal regulations for
removal?
a. Per WAC 220-440-060(3)(b), “It is unlawful to take crows or magpies in violation of
requirements published in Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), Sec. 21.43.”
This statute is specifically written to address killing of wildlife causing private
property damage, where WCOs can also be utilized and may be called to mitigate
wildlife damage year-round (outside of the crow hunting season).
b. Per WAC 220-416-040(1)(b), “It is unlawful to hunt crows outside established
hunting seasons.”
c. Please remember that while WCOs are not authorized to hunt any wildlife in
response to a damage complaint, landowners are encouraged to allow general season
hunting on their property to help minimize damage potential and concerns.
8. Are net cannons considered a trap?
a. Net cannons, especially if anchored to the ground, may be utilized as a trap for
wildlife management practices. However, there may be limited application for WCOs
to utilize this tool given the species they are authorized to work with.
b. Please call our office prior to using this method to verify it is the most appropriate
tool for the species and scenario in question.
9. Is falconry included as wildlife abatement? Do falconers need to be WCOs?
a. Falconry is recognized as a form of wildlife abatement and requires both state and
federal licensing. Falconers will need to be certified as WCOs if they intend on
providing this service to incur a fee in Washington.
b. Out of state falconers cannot provide services in Washington without first obtaining
WCO certification and cannot assist a WCO unless they as the bird handler are
certified.