Animal Damage Control – A Part of Wildlife Management
by Blair Waite

            April 9, 1983, was a very special day in my life. If it wasn’t the greatest day it certainly is in the top five. It was the day that I got hired on with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Wildlife Division, Animal Damage Control (ADC) Section, as an Extension Trapper.
            Trapping for furbearing animals was a driving force of my life. It was something that I had done since I was introduced to the sport at the tender age of 8 years old. The many stories of the old time beaver trappers that explored much of the west in the early 1800s to the modern day fur trappers was the life that I chose to live. When the day came for me to extend my knowledge of wildlife and pit my human skills against the challenges of the mighty predator, it was gladly accepted. Little did I understand at that time, the difference the knowledge a fur trapper needed to be successful to what I really needed to learn about predator control management, now that I had taken this challenge.
            It didn’t take long to realize animal damage control was quite different then fur trapping. Most wildlife complaints come at a time of the year that the temperatures are warm, if not down right hot. A time when farmers and ranchers are raising their young livestock to get them to market months later and their crops from freshly planted fields to harvest time a season later. This is also the time of the year that predators such as coyotes, fox and bobcats; big game animals like mountain lions; and nuisance animals like beaver, raccoons and skunks are regenerating their species. The survival of their offspring is their reason for existing. They don’t care if the agricultural producer is successful or not in their operations; a calf or a lamb is food for their young or their own survival.
            This is where the ADC trapper’s job came in. A wildlife complaint made concerning livestock or cropland would be called in and we were expected to alleviate or minimize the damage in a very timely manner. At times the challenges were immense and other times they were simple procedures. There were rarely monotonous days as every day brought forth different scenarios. The tools were many: foothold traps, livetraps, snares, killer traps, predator calls, cyanide set guns and aerial hunting were the implements of the trade. As a trapper one learns to read wildlife sign, understand wildlife habits and habitat, understand normal and abnormal wildlife behavior, understand how each wildlife species kills its different prey and above all we had to master our ability to communicate with the producers and the public. The ability to communicate successfully still remains the most important aspect of wildlife management today.
            Animal damage control historically was a Federal mandate. It was once under the management of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and presently under the US Dept. of Agriculture. In 1974, because of budget crunches, many states were offered the ADC responsibilities and several states accepted those duties and obligations. South Dakota was one of those states. Today, South Dakota is the last remaining state to embrace this endeavor as the other states have returned the ADC programs to the Federal level. The management of wildlife goes far beyond species such as big game, waterfowl, upland birds and small game. Our furbearers, predators, non-game birds and threatened and endangered species are also a concern for Game, Fish and Parks and South Dakota’s citizens. It is our responsibility to manage ALL species in the best interest for the citizens of our state and also the friends and neighbors who visit us.
            One of the most significant lessons I became acutely aware of during my tenure as a state trapper was the important role that private landowners play in the successful management of wildlife. The vast majority of land in our state is privately owned. This is where a lot of wildlife abounds and is raised, housed and fed. The wildlife resources are not owned by any single entity, but kept in trust for all citizens; special attention should be and is given to the private agriculture community. Whether it is removing depredating wildlife or habitat enhancement or managing for certain species and not others, it is essential for not only the landowners but the wildlife as well. It is important that the agriculture producer make his or her living without severe depredation loss or competition. The assistance to achieve this goal is the role that the extension trapper plays in the management scheme.
            For 18 years I held the position of extension trapper in the three southwest counties in our state and I have many fond memories of those days. In early 2001, I was offered and accepted a Wildlife Conservation Officer position and I am presently stationed in Hill City. There are new challenges found in my everyday travels as I work in our state’s beautiful Black Hills with abundant resources. There is something to say about stating that “for over 25 years I cannot remember a bad day” and “for over 25 years I still look forward to going to work to accept the day’s challenges.” I can and do state this often. I feel that I have been very fortunate to be part of the Wildlife Division team that has the enormous responsibilities of looking out for our states wildlife, fisheries and natural resources for all to respect and enjoy.

Blair Waite is the Hill City conservation officer for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.