Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO)
The NWCO Permit consists of two parts:
1) NWCO Certification (issued once for life by the ODWC, currently free of charge)
2) Possession of a valid (annual) Professional Trapping License (Resident or Non-Resident ), which unless otherwise exempt, also requires the purchase of a valid Oklahoma Hunting License)
Frequently Asked Questions (Hunting & Fishing):
How do I find out if a hunter education course is available in my area?
Who is required to have hunter education certification? It is strongly recommended that anyone who plans on hunting or shooting complete a hunter education class.
Exemptions from Hunter Education:
· 36 years of age or older.
· Honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
· Currently on active duty in the United States Armed Forces.
· Member of the National Guard.
The NWCO license is currently free of charge.
Professional Trapping License is $68.50 for residents and $345 for nonresidents.
Annual Hunting License is $25 and 5-Year Hunting License is $88 for residents. For nonresidents, the annual license is $142.
§29 1 101. Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO)
NWCOs are only authorized in Oklahoma to trap and relocate/euthanize the following wildlife species when such action is warranted by a valid nuisance wildlife complaint: armadillo, badger, bats (except endangered species), beaver, bobcat, cottontail rabbit, coyote, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, flying squirrel, English (house) sparrow, feral pigeon, gray and red fox, ground squirrel, jackrabbit, mink, mole spp., mice spp., muskrat, nutria, opossum, gopher, porcupine, raccoon, rats, striped skunks, snakes, starling, weasel spp., and woodchuck.
NWCOs may not handle complaints and/or conduct nuisance wildlife control activities involving native wildlife species or endangered species not listed above unless authorized in writing by ODWC.
Problems and complaints concerning domestic wildlife (except feral hogs) and imported, non-native wildlife are not legally included in jurisdiction and powers of the ODWC and therefore complaints concerning these species are not covered in any way by this program. Problems with such animals and their owners normally fall under jurisdiction of local or county governments.
Problems and complaints concerning certain wildlife species such as big game (deer, elk, turkey, bear, etc.), game birds or endangered species will only be handled when specifically authorized by ODWC. Primary responsibility for addressing migratory bird damage rests with the USDA Wildlife Services Program.
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO)
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) Program Background, Permits, Etc
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Annual Summary Report
Application for Professional Trapping License
General Regulations Furbearers
Street Address:
1801 N. Lincoln
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-3851
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 53465
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
§29 5 502.
Trapping devices
C. Any trap set for the purpose of catching any wildlife shall be tended once during each twenty four (24) hours. All traps must bear the owner's name or identification attached thereto, except for any person trapping on his own property. Any person violating this subsection shall, in addition to any criminal penalty, be civilly liable for all damages caused by such violation.
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO)
Unless otherwise provided, animals captured by NWCOs can be relocated, turned over to an ODWC licensed wildlife rehabilitator or euthanized (humanely killed). Pursuant to state law: All wildlife which the NWCO is authorized to control/capture shall be taken and disposed of in a manner to ensure safe and effective handling and /or euthanasia.
RELOCATION OF LIVE WILDLIFE:
Except as otherwise provided, NWCOs can relocate wildlife pursuant to the following:
1) ODWC does not encourage the release or relocation to urban or semi-urban areas of captured beaver, fox and gray squirrels, opossum, porcupine, raccoon, and striped skunk. Release of these species could either adversely impact the health of wild populations; or could likely become a nuisance animal again thus passing the problem on to someone else rather than constituting a solution of the problem.
2) Captured wildlife that is to be relocated must not be held by the NWCO for longer than 24 hours unless specifically authorized by ODWC.
3) Wildlife should not be relocated to a place close to human dwellings, which would transfer, rather than solve, the nuisance problem.
4) Wildlife that is relocated shall be released within the State of Oklahoma, at least 5 miles outside any city limit, but not more than one county distant from the capture site.
5) Wildlife shall not be released on private land without first obtaining the receiving landowner’s written permission.
6) Wildlife shall not be released on public land without first obtaining the written permission from either the governmental entity owning or administrating the release property. (This would include, but not be limited to, any city property; lands in federal or state ownership or administration; or utility company properties).
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO)
Do NWCOs have to keep records and report their activities back to the ODWC?
YES! Reports will be required on NWCO activities concerning the following species: armadillo, badger, beaver, coyote, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, flying squirrel, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, porcupine, raccoon, striped skunk, spotted skunk, weasel spp., and woodchuck.
An individual report must be documented for each nuisance complaint that is acted upon for these species.
Annual Summary Report:
NOTE: at the end of the report one must say whether or not he wants to renew his NWCO Certification (even though it is issued once for life by the ODWC).