Wentz, A.

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South Dakota State UniversityOpen PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access InstitutionalRepository and Information ExchangeFact Sheets SDSU Extension1-1-2005South Dakota Extension Trapper ProgramA. WentzSouth Dakota State UniversityFollow this and additional works at: http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_factThis Other is brought to you for free and open access by the SDSU Extension at Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access InstitutionalRepository and Information Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Fact Sheets by an authorized administrator of Open PRAIRIE: OpenPublic Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. For more information, please contact michael.biondo@sdstate.edu.Recommended CitationWentz, A., "South Dakota Extension Trapper Program" (2005). Fact Sheets . Paper 22.http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_fact/22South Dakota Extension Trapper ProgramMost of South Dakota's predators are valuable furbearers andprovide recreation for hunters and trappers.  Predators arenormally useful, since their regular diet consists of rodents,rabbits, insects, and other small animals.  But because mostpredators are opportunists, they occasionally cause damage todomestic livestock or crops.Residents of South Dakota can call on an Extension Trapperfor help with predator or furbearer problems.  The Trappersare employees of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fishand Parks Department and have two main duties: 1) animaldamage control through direct control, teaching, and assis-tance, and 2) the encouragement of sport trapping.Animal Damage ControlIndividuals suffering crop or livestock losses due to wildlifemay request the assistance of an Extension Trapper directlythrough the regional offices of Game, Fish and Parks, countyExtension offices, wildlife conservation officers, or theExtension Service at South Dakota State University.The Extension Trapper attempts to visit promptly, usuallywithin 48 hours after receiving the complaint.  He examinesthe damage, identifies the species of animal responsible, andsuggests appropriate methods to alleviate the problem.Extension Trappers are familiar with a wide range of wildlifedamage problems, including those caused by beavers to fieldcorn and shade trees, sheep losses to coyotes, and poultry loss-es to various small ground and avian predators.  The Trapperswill use numerous techniques to not only stop wildlife damagebut also to prevent it from happening again.When wildlife damage can be controlled best by trapping, theExtension Trapper will use the proper techniques.  Thelandowner may be asked to assist in resolving the problem.  Insome situations the Extension Trapper will provide necessarytraining, enabling the landowner to handle any recurring nui-sance problems.  Occasionally the Extension Trapper may sug-gest that the landowner try alternatives such as guardian dogs,improved fencing, or range rotation as ways to reduce or min-imize livestock or property damage caused by wildlife.  A. Wentzrevised 2005 by A. SmithSouth Dakota Game, Fish and Parks DepartmentAs a rule, the Extension Trapper is able to adequately resolvethe problem.  He will make additional visits concerning somecomplaints since he normally takes an active part in controlwork.  Extension Trappers do not distribute any type of poi-sons, nor do they participate in large scale suppression ofpredator populations.Recurring and persistent problems are often indications thatfarm management practices may need changing.  In thesecases, the Extension Trapper may suggest changes or refer theproblem to the county Extension educator.Landowners experiencing damage caused by ground squir-rels, pocket gophers, birds, and other animals should contacttheir Extension agent for information on these problems.Trapping as a SportSome of the Extension Trapper's time is spent conductingeducational programs on sport trapping as a form of recre-ation and an important part of furbearer management.These programs cover the life history of furbearers, the art oftrapping, how to prepare pelts for sale, wildlife damage con-trol, predator calling and other related topics.The Extension Trapper uses colorful media, free literature ontrapping, demonstrations, and displays in the presentations.Programs can be given in classrooms, meeting halls, summercamps, or any other group meeting place.Teachers, FFA chapters, 4-H clubs, sportsmen's clubs, Scouttroops, and other groups are encouraged to request these pre-sentations.  Programs may be arranged by directly contactingthe Extension Trapper,  local county Extension offices, or con-servation officers.South Dakota has 19 Extension Trappers assigned to wildlifedamage control, as well as one or more individuals per county(county educators and conservation officers) who can referdamage complaints or requests for trapping presentations tothe Extension Trappers.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperationwith the USDA.  Gerald Warmann, Director of Extension, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture &Biological Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings.  SDSU is an Affirmative Action/EqualOpportunity Employer (Male/Female) and offers all benefits, services, and educational and employ-ment opportunities without regard for ancestry, age, race, citizenship, color, creed, religion, gender, dis-ability, national origin, sexual preference, or Vietnam Era veteran status.    FS640. 1,000 copies printed at a cost of * each. June 2005.SouthDakotaExtensionTrapperProgramFS640(r ev2005)SouthDakotaDepartmentofGame,Fish&ParksandCooperativeExtensionServiceSouthDakotaStateUniversityU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture

South Dakota Extension Trapper Program

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South Dakota Extension Trapper Program

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