Pest removal ?

[MugEye]

I'm a new trapper and I love it . I do residential trapping on my own land . My question is . Do farmers, acreage owners or companies pay for the removal of pest like beaver, coyote , etc. ? Or is the fur the only prize ? If yes what are the going rates ?

[bill9044]

Pete wise in BC has make a living off animal pest control. It is doable. Some counties or towns pay to keep beavers down in rivers and ditches. Rates not sure but you may need a permit to trap in town.

[HunterDave]

I had a look at this in our county. Every year they put out a tender for a contract for pest control, mainly beaver. I suppose that the tender and contract would be public info if the fella is getting paid with tax dollars but I haven't looked for it.

I help landowners for free as it opens doors to more land to trap on. For me, I'm happy with just the money that I earn from the beaver that I catch but if someone approached me to take out beaver during the summer when the pelt is no good, I'd probably ask for some sort of money to pay for my gas.

Trappers are in high demand in this area and you'd be surprised at how fast word travels when people find one.

[J D]

2 ways I have done agreements for pest removal for farmers.

1) Flat rate for each animal I catch

2) If they land is really good for fur trapping I will remove pests in exchange for permission to trap fur on there land for the season. This has lead to me getting permission to come back every year.

I only do option 2 if it is worth it for me or they are a friend. If it is just to remove beaver option 1.

[Redfrog]

What I found was once the problem critter is removed, there no further need for your services.This means you could have much more invested in time and fuel and truck etc. than the beaver/coyote is worth. It may take a couple trips to solve the problem. Now you could be into it for 4-500 bux between gas and time. Not many farmers will pay $500 to have two beavers trapped.

With the work and time that goes into trapping beaver and the poor prices, it is usually a net loss game.
I have trapped beaver and coyotes and as long as there is no real damage, I've had the hides tanned and sold them privately. A summer beaver, tanned sells for a good price.

some see the value in pest control and some think the trapper should work for nothing cause he enjoys it.

I did have a rancher who wanted some coyotes killed. I went there and even though I tried a few times, I couldn't get one to come to the call. Weird cause there was lots of sign.

I spoke with the rancher and told him about mu unusually bad luck at success. He informed the other three guys he had there everyday that week said the same thing.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by Redfrog

I did have a rancher who wanted some coyotes killed. I went there and even though I tried a few times, I couldn't get one to come to the call. Weird cause there was lots of sign.

I spoke with the rancher and told him about mu unusually bad luck at success. He informed the other three guys he had there everyday that week said the same thing.

LOL! Now that's funny right there.

Last November I asked for permission to hunt someone's land. A few days later, the landowner's Son called me to see if I'd trap some coyotes on his land. A pack had come in and killed a calf right in the corral behind the house. I trapped 7 coyotes there. He was happy and I was happy. There are lots of landowners in the area with the same last name and word spread fast. I ended up trapping coyotes on one of their cousin's land as well. As long as I can make decent money trapping their land I don't think that I need to double dip and charge them for my time as well. This way opens lots of opportunity.

[bill9044]

A coon story.
I worked with a farmers son. I was in the area of their farm and noticed coon tracks. So I told the farmer and his son. You guys have coon around here. He said I have farmed here for many years and never seen a coon. I said ok see you later. Couple months later. The farmer hear a noise outside. Looked out side and a big coon was in their cat food bin. This must have been happening for years cuz their cat sure ate a lot of cat food he said.
Then it was a big panic we need these coon gone like right now. I told him that if he removed the food source they will move along some where else. I explained that their might be a need for fuel or a payment of something to set up to trap. He was under the impression that he was doing me a favor for letting me trap the coon. I tried to expain that the summer pelt was not worth anything. I said I would come back in the fall and trap them when it was worth it. He said I want them gone now not later. I said thanks but no thanks.

I am not out to get rich but I am not out to loose my shirt to help out a fellow that can't come to a reasonable option. Most guys would gladly give you a tank of fuel a box of beer even a couple buckets of grain for your trail camera.