Rod,

We are working on this issue of governmental competition. It is important that we continue to seek licensing for what we do and to let it be known that this industry exists. There are still agencies out there who do not know about us and that will need to change.

Mark,
It's good to know that the issue of Governmental competition is recieving attention. What can I (or anyone)do as an individual to assist in this cause?

The first step is licensing in all states. You being in MASS already have a license in order to do nuisance wildlife work. When we are licensed, we are seen as an industry and not just a bunch of individuals.

The second step is educating the government that we as an industry exist.

I would start by joining your state ADC associations and NWCOA. Get involved at some level and help make the necessary changes to ensure that you will be in business in your state for years to come.

Those are great suggestions for sure and I totally agree about us being percieved as an industry. I am a member of NWCOA. Our state association has been going through some changes but I am starting to get active at that level. I agree that these associations are important so dont get me wrong when I ask if there is something that I (or anyone) can do personaly beyond that to assist with these issues. How, specifically, do we educate the government? Who do we contact? What procedures do we need to follow? What can we do together on a national level to raise the publics awareness of the existance of our industry? To get back on topic somewhat I think that one of the biggest challenges to the growth of our industry is making the public aware of the fact that we (WCOs) exist and improving their perception of us.

Buzzard,

Have you taken a copy of their regs and the bid and taken it up the USDA chain? I know exactly what you mean about them bidding and taking work...but this has to stop and the government has to let us do the work and stop subsiding free wildlife control.

You all have an association in NC do you not? When you are in numbers, it is going to be harder for the government to play dumb...and some newspaper and TV press goes a long way to expose this type of government competition.

We see a number of instances where the USDA is doing wildlife work for free across the country...just one of the things that makes all our lives harder.

At the WCT confrence in Vegas this year we had a member of the USDA's wildlife services advisory comittee do a presentation on the comittee and his role, and yes, they (WS) are playing dumb in a lot of cases, and some cases just don't know we exist.

they claim if there is an outside bid they back out (not)

We are talking about inviting WS rep's to seminars and sending information to them on a regular basis,,

Gary B. the grad student who did the paper on WS compitition with us also did a great presentation on his findings and he claims they are open to communication as well.

But like buzz says, they are the goverment and do what they want,,,its time for some acountability.

Good point Thomas!