It seems to me that we decided a long time ago that having our caged animals in public view was one sure way to get the public to really hate our guts.

So how many animals you all catch anyway . What's the weekly catch rate on a real good company . Seeing you guys know all . Must be catching 100 to 200 per week my guess . Got them fancy shirts on and all . Running everything perfect and doing and acting 100 % right . You can go ahead and show us all . That is your job right , you trap animals causing damage . Is that why you never post any pictures because you don't wish to make us feel bad I know but go ahead . You guys have been trying to show me well go ahead what's that saying , when the tail gate drops what stops .

Wear uniforms? Look, uniforms are to impress the person wearing them. That's all. Customers couldn't care less how you're dressed as long as it's appropriate to the job and jeans and a tee shirt is appropriate for most work a wco will run into. In the heat, shorts and a tee shirt or even a tank top is more appropriate than any uniform.

Which one of you is going to tell Kirk DeKalb how he is hurting the industry because he doesn't wear a uniform? Go tell Jim Comstock or Steve Albano or Dave Vinke or Clint Locklear how unprofessional they are because they don't dress like you.

This time it is I who is defending everything you are against; inane laws, regulations, and rules, sent upon us by the big-mouthed few that saw animals under a condition that their mind didn't feel was acceptable.

Will just take a moment of this thread to pass on two things I heard back more than a decade or so ago that have stuck with me.
These were actually from folks who were primarily fur trappers not ADC or NWCO types.

Here they are -

1) "Do No Harm" - This one is pretty simple, if you can't improve something at least try not to harm it by your actions. This can be
policy, industry, image, take it any way you would like.

2) "Always imagine someone is video taping or photographing what you are doing." - This one really hits home with how many folks
are using youtube, facebook, websites, forums and other places to document what they want the world to see. If
those things cause policy changes (and we all know they do and even recently in NV and other places have caused
major problems even when not intended as they were taken), laws to be created and impacts to your "fellow" business
owners, you'd think folks might hold back a bit.

I was taught a long time ago that just because you see something one way, doesn't mean another person will see things that way. Especially
when it is photo, video, forum chat, etc... that can be way out of context and can include things that cause even a minority of people to go
and push for new laws and regulations because they are offended.

We all know people who only hire a professional wildlife company because they can't stand the thought of harming the animal themselves.
This is probably one of the greatest reasons many people do call. Then they look online and see pictures and video all of which DO COME UP
ON GOOGLE SEARCHES EVERY SINGLE DAY ALL AROUND THE WORLD!!!

And they think, thats awful! Why aren't we stopping these folks from doing this, they obviously aren't professional.

I do subscribe to most of what has been said by those looking for a professional image on this thread, that doesn't mean I think you can't be
a pro without a uniform, or can't be a pro if you don't drive a certain year vehicle, etc....

But when it comes to how our industry is viewed, don't ever get twisted in your mind that these things don't matter over all and that we would
have far more industry respect if people would stop having a ME view and start having an US view.

That old statement "it is difficult to soar with the eagles when you are surrounded by turkeys" is not really off the mark. Try selling yourself as
part of a professional group when the folks you are talking to just saw the "other" example a week ago doing something that looks like it belongs
on A&E or Animal Planet.

All I can finish with is while I agree, to each his own, if you put your "wares" on this site and brag about them, don't expect folks who want the
industry to be professional to not snipe you, it should happen by those who care.

Most only care about themselves and their own bottom line and we can clearly see them through their words.

To each his own, just works till the state decides that the "public resource" is not being managed properly or by the right people and then its all
over.

Back in the day we didn't have instant twitter, FB, internet, we only had rotary phone, nightly news and newspaper. Imagine how fast and easy
folks are sharing their "dislikes" with their favorite politicians and animal activist groups these days....

Good luck to you!

Justin

Which one of you is going to tell Kirk DeKalb how he is hurting the industry because he doesn't wear a uniform? Go tell Jim Comstock or Steve Albano or Dave Vinke or Clint Locklear how unprofessional they are because they don't dress like you.

Tend your own garden.

Then you haven't bought much in the way of flowers ,chocolate or wine.So yes LT you can make a first impression a second time.

820 views......do your turtleman cry Pesky, do your turtleman cry...

aileeleeleeeleeeleeleeeeleeee....

... but this whole Threadline Exemplifies why so many of Us longtimers on Tman have chosen to quit posting.

Pesky think of PT Barnum - "I don't care what they say about me, as long as they spell my name right!"

mikeD

I will never quit criticizing Pesky for anything unprofessional, nor will I stop complimenting him on the many things I admire about him.