The Shootist

5.05.2024 - The Shootist

Author: Philip J. Nichols

A Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO’s) uses a variety of tools to solve problems caused by wildlife. Some of these problems demand an immediate, effective and professional response. The best tool for many of these situations is a firearm.

NON-LETHAL FIREARMS

A tranquilizer gun is used to immobilize large animals. One of many situations is when it causes a problem in a public area. The media is there and If things go wrong, the coverage is brutal. These instances demand a high degree of professionalism, knowledge and experience along with planning and teamwork, making sure that any contingency and/or unintended consequences are accounted for.

Confidence in accuracy comes from practice at the target range; a raging bull moose improperly tranquilized and gone crazy in the town square is a PR nightmare. There are many other uses where tranquilizing is the best response, requiring knowing all aspects of the procedure (dose, type, anatomy, etc.) Tranquilizing guns propel (using a CO2 propellent) a custom syringe downrange loaded with a chemical that causes sleep or paralysis. These syringes can also be used over a short range with a “blow gun”, or at the end of a “jab stick” for working in close quarters. Some manufacturers and suppliers of these tools offer courses and seminars that teach the required skills. A company that has both products and training is “Pneu-Dart” in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Their accredited seminars last two days and the limited classes fill up quickly.






Tranquilizer Blowgun Kit


PNEU-DART SYRINGES


GAS OPERATED TRANQUILIZER GUN

LETHAL FIREARMS (Large Animals)

The most effective and practical tool for lethal control of large wild animals is the high caliber rifle or large bore shotgun. The shooter must be trained in all aspects of firearm use and know when, where and how to use one safely. Practice at the target range instills the confidence needed to place the shot accurately regardless of all the variables : wind, elevation, distance and ballistics. A quick and humane outcome happens when a correctly chosen bullet is placed in the particular anatomical vital area of a given animal.

If something goes wrong with either a tranquilizer dart or lethal bullet, the animal needs to be followed. It should be given time to exhaust itself and settle down, usually in cover, where it will rest while watching its backtrack, or pass out. If still conscious, the animal has the advantage now. A tracking dog is of great help in following a difficult trail.


A GOOD BOOK TO INTRODUCE TRACKING

Learn tracking by starting with something easy … a large animal in the snow, which also reveals how the animal chooses its path. Creatures of habit will take established paths, usually the easiest one. Different species will share common paths leading to features such as food, water, dense cover (storm shelter) or a migration route. A path is always found running parallel on the banks of rivers and streams.

Tracking in this profession is a necessary skill even to those who do not use a firearm. An animal hit by a car, an animal that escaped confinement, or a pet gone missing are all common situations that call for a skilled tracker. The learning curve can be shortened by taking instruction from an experienced tracker.

SITUATIONS AND SETTINGS

Here are just two examples of NWCO’s using high power rifles, there are many more. Choose a rifle (or rifles) based on needs, comfort and personal preference ( weapons are personal tools.)

Feral Pig

Trapping feral pigs is a major operation using large and heavy pig traps which are pre-baited until the intelligent and suspicious pigs lose their fear and enter the trap in numbers. The other option is shooting them. In either case it is not legal to relocate this invasive species, so removal and disposal to a landfill or approved burial site is a necessary part of the job.

In-house butchering is an option that has its own set of requirements: on-site (where the pigs are killed) they need to be gutted and the carcass cooled, then transported to a facility for further processing. Or, subcontract everything to a third party.

Successful pig hunters use high power rifles equipped with night vision and noise suppression. Daytime shooting has limited success, because pigs are intelligent, suspicious, and quickly respond to danger (run and scatter.) After dark, feeding pigs will continue feeding as long as they are dropped in their tracks (brain shot) with no alarm from a wounded pig. A good outcome happens when the shooter(s) can drop every pig where it stands (not alarming the other pigs) until the entire herd is down.

Deer

Overpopulated deer in urban parks and other sensitive places where hunting is not an option, need to be removed in large numbers. Overpopulation is determined when available food is exhausted resulting in starvation.


One solution is a carefully planned night shooting campaign. There are many NWCO companies who specialize in culling overpopulated deer herds in sensitive locations. Planning includes informing the public of the need for herd reduction, but not revealing details that would allow do-gooders to interfere. The deer are fed in a strategic location prior to shooting. The methods and equipment used is much the same as described for feral pigs.

One example is the on-going program at Valley Forge National Park in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. This plan addresses the browsing of tree and shrub seedlings by a deer population which had grown to a level that prevented native forests from growing and maturing and reduced habitat for a range of native wildlife species. Since the implementation of the plan in 2009, thousands of deer were removed and the forest at the park has continued to recover from decades of


over-browsing. This over-browsing was evident in the appearance of the forest understory. The shooting schedule times and locations are closely guarded so the public has not been able to interfere. The methods used are low-key and silent. The deer are quickly processed and the venison is donated to food banks.

LETHAL FIREARMS FOR SMALL ANIMALS

A .22 caliber LR shot (from a pistol or rifle) in the brain is the overall choice for small animals, and is a method approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association in their guidelines for humane euthanasia of wildlife.


.22 LR, .22 Magnum and .223 (5.6mm)

The animal must be stationary or restrained (as in a cage.) Only an expert, confident marksman can hit a moving (free roaming) small animal in a vital spot. The 22 magnum has the same bullet weight as the 22LR, but has a much greater powder charge for greater ballistic shock. It can be used at close range in a pinch, but is more powerful than necessary. Both of these are rimfire cartridges. The 223 (5.6mm) has a much greater bullet weight and powder charge. It is a centerfire cartridge, and is used where a high velocity, long range shot on larger animals (i.e. pig, deer.) It is overkill for small animals at any range.

A shotgun is the best way to hit a moving animal at an effective range of up to fifty yards. Shot shells have a large number of pellets (or BB’s) that spread out in a circular pattern, where a small error in aiming can still result in a hit on the target. A single projectile shotgun shell (called a “slug”) is used on large animals. This shell hits with great energy causing major shock, making it the weapon of choice for a grizzly bear in close quarters. There are even non-lethal shells available used to scare birds by making a loud bang, or screaming noise downrange. The 12 gauge shotgun is the swiss army knife of weapons.



Firearms must be transported in the work vehicle. There are day thieves who watch for a work truck parked every day at a job site, usually in a large parking lot. They wait until the workers are gone to the job before approaching for a close up recon. When items of value (camera, gun, etc.) are seen in the locked cab, they do a smash and grab, which happened to my work truck. Gone in 60 seconds, the alarm was no deterrent. Secure all weapons and other valuables somewhere out of site in a lock box. For more wildlife stories, click my Wildlife Blog or click my below banner to hire a local trapper.