Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 76 - WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
Part V - Wild Quadrupeds and Wild Birds
Chapter 1 - Wild Quadrupeds
Section V-127 - Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Program

1. The purpose of this Section is to establish guidelines for the permitting of Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCO's) and the procedures to be used by the NWCO's in controlling nuisance wildlife.

2. NWCO's are defined as individuals who offer commercial services for the control of nuisance wildlife.

1. All NWCOs must have a valid NWCO permit issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) in their possession while engaged in nuisance wildlife control activities. NWCO permits are issued only to individuals and each individual engaged in NWCO activities must possess a NWCO permit issued in his/her name. This rule does not provide for or authorize any NWCO to name a subpermittee.

2. In addition to the NWCO permit, all NWCOs must possess a valid Louisiana trapping license and valid Louisiana basic hunting license (or equivalent) in their possession while engaged in nuisance wildlife control activities. Additionally, any NWCO servicing non-protected reptile and amphibian nuisance calls must possess a valid basic fishing license or equivalent.

3. NWCO permits will be issued on a calendar year basis (January 1-December 31) and must be renewed annually.

1. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

2. The applicant must achieve a minimum score of 80 percent on the LDWF NWCO examination. The examination shall consist of questions relating to wildlife biology and behavior, nuisance animal control methods and procedures, and nuisance wildlife control laws, rules and regulations. Any applicant who fails to pass the examination may take another examination no earlier than 30 days from the date of the prior examination. Applicants may not attempt to take the NWCO examination more than three times per calendar year.

3. Anyone who has been convicted of a Class II or greater wildlife violation in Louisiana, or the equivalent in another state within the past three years, or has been convicted of a felony in Louisiana or another state, shall not be eligible for a NWCO permit. Also, any person whose hunting or trapping license privileges have been revoked and is prohibited from hunting and trapping in Louisiana shall not be allowed to possess or operate under the authority of a NWCO permit.

4. All applicants must attend a LDWF sponsored NWCO training class prior to or within 6 months of receiving their permit. A class registration charge may be applied. Those NWCOs with valid permits at the time this rule becomes effective will have one year from the effective date of amended regulations to complete the training class requirement. All NWCOs are required to attend six hours of LDWF approved continuing education every three years after attending the NWCO training class. Failure to attend the training class or obtain the six hours of LDWF approved continuing education every three years will result in revocation of the NWCO permit.

1. Employees of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services are exempt from all NWCO permit requirements while they are on duty and carrying out official business of their respective agency. Also, city, parish, or local municipal government employees assigned to animal control duties are exempt from permit requirements while on duty and carrying out official business of their respective agency. It is recommended that exempted agencies adopt a policy requiring euthanasia of all skunks, raccoons, feral hogs, coyotes, and nutria. Animals that are not euthanized may not be released on LDWF owned or managed land such as wildlife management areas or refuges and may not be sold, bartered or exchanged.

1. All nuisance wildlife complaints that result in a site visit by a NWCO must be fully documented on Nuisance Wildlife Complaint Forms or in a format provided by LDWF.

2. Nuisance Wildlife Complaint Forms for the permit period must be submitted to the LDWF no later than 30 days following the expiration of the permit and NWCO permits will not be renewed until these forms are received. Reports will cover the period from December 1 of the prior license year to November 30 of the current license year. However, the 30 day grace period that follows expiration of the NWCO permit, applies to report filing only and does not authorize NWCOs to engage in nuisance wildlife control activities without a current NWCO permit.

3. Any NWCO who does not submit his/her report by the 30th day after the expiration date of the permit, or who submits a false or materially incomplete report shall be issued a citation for violation of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rules and regulations. If the citation does not result in a conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of no contest, the NWCO will be considered for reapplication upon receipt of the late Nuisance Wildlife Complaint Form(s).

4. Report forms must be current and shall be available for inspection at all times by Wildlife Enforcement Agents or any other authorized representatives of the department. NWCOs must maintain copies of all Nuisance Wildlife Complaint Forms for three years.

1. The NWCO permit authorizes the holder to capture, euthanize or relocate designated species of wildlife by safe and effective means at any time of the year and without limits provided the operator is acting on a valid, documented wildlife complaint.

2. The following procedures and guidelines for NWCO permittees shall be in effect to establish what species of wildlife may be taken under the authority of this permit, the legal methods that may be used to take nuisance wildlife under the authority of this permit, and the legal methods of disposing of nuisance wildlife.