good idea?

[model 70]

well, ever since my latest interest in trapping is growing all the time, i was trying to think how far i could go with it. well...

turns out if you have a nuisance coon, oppossum, squirrel, skunk, coyote, etc. around your home the pest control companies won't do anything about it. in order for one of their employees to come out and trap the animal, that employee has to have his own trappers license which involves a lengthy test and an annual fee of $82.

so i figured i'd get my trappers license, then a business license ($35), all the appropriate insurance and of course be bonded. i'd then go around to all the pest control companies and ask them to refer me should they get any calls about problem critters. i'd even get business cards made up to display on the counters of these pest control companies. maybe i could even flyer neighborhoods that are along the river (1,000,000+ homes). it's just obvious enough to work.

whatcha think?

[royinidaho]

Hell, go for it.

It all depends on your "grit" anyway.

It'll take a while to figure out a good business model but sounds like a low cost low risk start.

Kind of think like this: If not me then who, if not now, when?

I'm cheering ya on:D :) :cool:

[DaMadman]

there is actually a couple comppanies around my area that do this sort of thing. One of them even offers to fill the Farmer's Crop damage permits.

Around here if you have deer damaging your crops the DNR will come out and take a look and issue you permits to kill the deer in the off season. The guy that runs this pest control company tells the farmers and advertises that he will come in and kill the deer and haul them away for a fee.

Whatta freaking deal, Own your own business, hunt and trap for a living and charge people money to hunt thier farms.

Hehehe, wish I had the cahoona's to quit my job and do something like that.

[Nulle]

I have been doing that for the last few years and its great only difference is I get hourly rate from the City as ACO.
An idea for you would be to contract with the City for the Wild Animal problems as most ACO's don't want or know how to deal with them. They are in the cat and dog thing and would rather a pro in the wild animal line take care of that .

[Slim-Zippy]

Sounds like a great idea. It will never work if you don't try, give it a chance to work.

[TreeDoc]

Sounds like a good idea if you can pay the bills doing it. Just remember, this is Kalifornia where the business climate isn't necessarily in favor of the little guy! :rolleyes:

Legally you'll need a business license to do biz in each city. It's not much but it all adds up if your working in multiple cities. You'll need one in the County as well...they want their tax dollars too. I would start there to find out what credentials they want in order to give you a license. Some may just want your cash and nothing else. Some might require proof of insurance, liabilty and/or worker's comp, if no employees you'll be exempt from W/C. Some may want a Contractors License which you'll need to explore what classification you fit in, I'd guess pest control even if you're not spraying like a bug man. Check with the Contractor's State License Board there in Sac, they can probably narrow down what classification you fit in if any. It would be great if you didn't!

Maybe you can be like that Gator grabbin' dude in Florida that I see on all the Animal Planet shows....Pesky Critters I think he's called. He drives that Dodge 4x4 with the lettering all over the truck and goes swimming with Gators!

[gregarat]

whatcha think? I think great minds think alike.

I know a guy that does that. This is a big college town, therefor we have a lot of apartment complexes with dumpsters full of Pizza. This guy offers restaurants, apts, etc to trap the raccoons for free. He tells me that many black people here love to eat raccoons. He then tells me that he sells the raccoons to a fish market for $30 per. So say you have 10 traps, that could be up to $300 while you are asleep! Which isn't a stretch, there is lots of vermin at night.

I have been thinking of asking fish markets if they actually buy raccoons? Or is this guy full of it? If its true I may get a few traps and a cheap small truck, and start doing this myself!

And what about Gators? Ill leave them for a real Pro, like Val

[fabsroman]

I have been tossing around the idea myself, but to do it the way the guy DaMadman described. I currently work for myself, so I have a somewhat flexible schedule. Thought I might diversify a little, but right now I am too freaking busy.

In other words, I think it is a great idea, but "don't quit your day job." If you currently have a 9-5 job, try to start this thing so that you can do it on the weekends, or as supplimental income. If it takes off, then devote full time to it. Another famous quote, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

[TreeDoc]

I can see it now, Fabs, you hanging your shingle outside your office.....

Fabrizio's Services
*Taxes
*Bookkeeping
*Divorce
*Bankruptcy
*Oppossum Whackin'
*Coon stompin'

:D :p

[model 70]

thanks guys. i went and picked up an application for an animal control officer position in a near by county. anyone have any experience in this field? says i need a P.O.S.T. certificate.

[Andy L]

It all depends on your situation. Sure dont quit your day job just yet.....

I have a friend that does that around here. He gets called for plenty of work. Problem is, gas prices and time constraints work on him pretty good. People that have a coon in the attic want that coon out, now. If your offering and wanting the job, you better get it, now. Not this weekend. And, the coon may have left by the time you get there. But, if you want paid, you gotta have a coon. You can take it from here.

I know he burns alot of gas and daylight for each catch he makes. And just how much can you charge to make up for those dry runs? One thing that does help him is the lakes and rivers. Beavers do lots of damage. I know he cant make a living at it and doubt seriously that hes coming out ahead. Hate to burst your bubble. However if your living in a city, it may be a bit easier on the driving part anyhow. This area is smaller towns 10 miles or so apart.....

As for the fella selling coon carcasses for $30 each, wow. I wish I had a market like that. Im not calling anyone a liar, but that is suspicious. When I was trapping heavy, I had live traps as well as my regular line to run. I used the live traps around dumpsters, just as your describing. I could double dip them, take one out a midnight and daylight, most of the time and have my trapline as well.

Coons were bringing a $6 top and $3-4 average and they wouldnt even take the smalls. Sewlard Market, a fish market in St Louis on the Mississippi, just as you described, had a place that would buy the carcasses. To utilize and make more, I sold lots of coons to them. But it was $3 each, not $30. And they had to be in by Thanksgiving and another load by Christmas. They didnt want many after that. Seems some folks use them like turkey and ham. Which brings me to this. I dont know of a $30 turkey and it takes a heck of a ham to bring $30. Whos buying these coons at a markup over $30 for dinner?

I doubt anyone...... I think he was doubling his money at $6. I knew other trappers that sold their own coon carcasses because they didnt want him making the markup. They would go to the city, drop the tailgate and set up a sign advertising for $6 each. Sometimes they would sell several, most times not. I did better than anyone I know by selling to the market.

Andy

[TreeDoc]

Originally posted by model 70
thanks guys. i went and picked up an application for an animal control officer position in a near by county. anyone have any experience in this field? says i need a P.O.S.T. certificate.

Talk to Nulle, my guess is he could tell you all about that part of te deal. Having your POST means your a Cop so you'de have some training to do....did you want to be a Cop? :D Just messing with ya here dude but didn't you mention that you were all Tattied up, head to toe? Come on down south and I can help you with a skin peel! :eek: :D

[model 70]

LOL! well, i wouldn't say head to toe. in fact, with long sleeves on, you wouldn't know i had a spot of ink on me.:cool:

[gregarat]

As for the fella selling coon carcasses for $30 each, wow. I wish I had a market like that. Im not calling anyone a liar, but that is suspicious. Thats how I feel myself.
As for the gass situation, thats why I would get a cheap S10 or even a forgen truck w/h a 4 cylynder.

[GoodOlBoy]

I dunno about the $30 price tag myself. Most of the folks around my way will pay around $10 for a good sized coon.

As for Gas I agree. Small trucks particularly used and on the ragged edge dont cost alot.

GoodOlBoy

[gregarat]

Heck yeah. Trucks dont keep $ value at all. In reality they should last + 250,000 mi., if you keep the oil changed.
Pulse It might ruin a good date, if I had to explain the bad smell in my Jimmy :o .


Most of the folks around my way will pay around $10 for a good sized coon. Is that for pelt, or eating?
I just cant get over how cuisine can change between regions. Recently while patrolling a apt. complex. Someone was giving away menu's for a newly opening restaurant. The first thing listed was Curry goat! I just want to find a place where I can get REAL Italian food! I cant wait to get back to Syracuse to visit. First thing Im doing is going to Luigi's, the next night Danzers (great German food).