DNR’s Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) will host its annual waterfowl workshop from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis.
This workshop is required for all contractors who want to become qualified Water Control Operators (WCOs) and conduct waterfowl trapping, transporting, relocation, or euthanasia for hire.
All first-time WCOs must attend the workshop. All other WCOs must either attend the workshop or test out. To take the test, contact Debbie Walter at dwalter@dnr.IN.gov or call (812) 789-2724, and she will send the test to you. The test will be available to take beginning Feb. 1.
Employees of WCO contractors are welcome to attend the training, but only those physically conducting waterfowl trapping, transporting, relocating, or euthanizing for hire are required to attend.
Those pursuing qualifying status for goose euthanasia for the first time will also need to provide a certificate of attendance to the Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) goose management course or DFW approved eight-hour equivalent goose course.
WCOs are not qualified to conduct any waterfowl management activities until all necessary paperwork has been received.
Registration for the workshop must be completed by Jan. 23. For more information on becoming a WCO and to register, contact Jessica Merkling, urban wildlife biologist, at jmerkling@dnr.IN.gov or (260) 244-6805.