Commercial Wildlife Control Operator

General Information

A Commercial Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) permit authorizes a person to take and transport specified wildlife at any time for commercial nuisance wildlife control purposes.

A permitted WCO is not required to possess a valid trapping or hunting license unless they will sell the pelts of furbearers taken during an open season.

A WCO shall not take the following species without prior authorization from the commissioner:

Issuance Cycle

Application Process

Commercial Wildlife Control Operator permits are valid from March 1st through the last day of February the following year.

To obtain the Commercial Wildlife Control Operator permit, a person shall:

1. Be at least 18 years old;
2. Pass the National Wildlife Control Training Program​ for Kentucky with a score of 80% or better:*
   
1. The exam is comprised of the following modules regarding:
   1. The statutes and regulations pertaining to commercial wildlife control and trapping
   2. The life history of commonly encountered wildlife species
   3. Wildlife sign and nuisance scenarios; what species is responsible
   4. Disease concerns with wildlife control
      
   5. Safety
   6. Professionalism
      
3. Submit a $100 application fee and complete a Commercial Wildlife Control Application; and
4. Provide proof of completion of the Kentucky Hunter Education Program or a course offered by another jurisdiction that meets the course standards set by the International Hunter Education Association if you will use a firearm for nuisance control purposes. People born before January 1st, 1975, are not exempted as they are when hunting.
5. File an Annual Activity Report with the Department of the previous year’s activity.

For business purposes, primary permittees may indicate partners or employees as sub-permittees on a single permit application; this allows for the submission of a single application, annual fee, and annual activity report per business each year. Importantly, sub-permittees must still pass the National Wildlife Control Training Program prior to being added to a permit.

Regulation

301 KAR 3:120. Commercial nuisance wildlife control

Reporting

Commercial Wildlife Control Operators shall file an Annual Activity Report with the Department of the previous year’s activity.