Nuisance wildlife control operators (fondly referred to as NWCOs or WCOs) have organized nationally as the Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA). NWCOA has partnered with the trade magazine Wildlife Control Technology (WCT) to organize an annual seminar usually held in Las Vegas. Several equipment suppliers have developed that specialize in serving the WCO industry. There is even a weekly live pod-cast radio show: wcoradio.com.

NWCOA has several state affiliates, including in the Northeast, at varying levels of activity. Two of the Northeast affiliates, the New York State Wildlife Management Association and the Connecticut Nuisance Wildlife Cofntrol Operators Association, hold well-attended annual seminars. Topics covered include capture techniques, safety, marketing, inspections, wildlife exclusion, and working with agencies and other organizations. Several states have been updating their regulations concerning nuisance wildlife and the regulation of this new industry. To a limited degree, the industry is beginning to support nuisance wildlife research. Possibilities exist for future research and extension partnerships with the WCO industry.

For more information contact Lynn Braband
Email: lab45@cornell.edu
Phone: (585) 461-1000 ext. 241