The WDFW posted the answers to a few questions that came up at the spring WCO Class:
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/01676c. You can also find classification of game and furbearing animals in WAC 220-400-020
https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=220-400-0204. 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.
