I'm looking at starting a ADC business. Was wondering if there's any good books or websites out there to help me get started. Any help would be great. thanks shawn

Shawn:
Start reading right here, there is a great deal of information. Mr. Russell will fill you in on his real good program he has. Another great place for information. Trapping is only a small
portion of the business.IMO

http://icwdm.org

Good jumping off point.

whos mr. Russell?

Check with your local game warden for what is required in your state. Every state has different rules.

If you will conduct a 3 year ADVANCED SEARCH for starting on both the ADC Forum and the ADC Archives, you will find many threads similar to this- http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthrea...Hav#Post3383851

You need to get in touch with Robb Russell At the Wildlife Pro Network. The Podcasts that he created are very informative.

Here is the ADC Archive link, there is enough reading in here to keep you busy for days.

http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/17/1/Animal_Damage_Control_Archive

nwcoa.com. - Convention is coming up Feb. 14 and there are several seminars tailored for rookies.
Also, WCT Group has a seminar towards the end of Jan. in Cleveland. Robb Russell's Rondezvous will be in mid-October; several state and regional seminars, too. I mention these because the opportunity to talk shop with your peers at is priceless. Money well spent for any of them.
Your Maine neighbor and publisher of Trapper's Post magazine, Bob Noonan, is an amazing treaure of information, and a nice guy, too. Look him up.

ok i know bob a little bit. thanks

The WCT seminar is Jan. 21 and 22. Still can get in I think.

I guess that be me. I am starting my Sixth Year This Sunday Jan 6th Doing Podcasts Related To The Wildlife Control Industry . The following podcasts are scheduled for this month. Join us. Listen in LIVE , or download us later. More info in my signature below.

Shawn,

I was in your shoes and decided to attend my first WCT Seminar almost 20 years ago, and haven't missed one since!!! At the time, I think it was $225 to attend. It was the best money I have ever spent!!!!!

With the information I learned from people like Rob Ericson, Rich Daniotti, Mike Page, Mark Stackhouse, Al Krier, Rally Hess, and many others, they inpired me to take a part time "hobby" and turn it into a full fledged profession. I was able to grow my business to $100k in three years, and that was in the early/mid 90's!!!!

If the information on the agenda is not exactly your cup of tea, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters at a Roundtable discussion after the formal presentations. Believe it or not, you will probably learn more outside of the classroom than in it. Talking with other operators about how they conduct business is invaluable. Just strike up a conversation and start asking questions! If you don't feel comfortable asking, simply stand by and listen!!! You will be surprised by how friendly and open everyone is at these events.

Paul Brooker (operator in KY) believes in these training programs enough that he posted he would pick up the difference of the late registration fee for anyone who still wanted to go!!! That is $50 free money for you to attend.

Mr Russell has great information that you can access as your time allows, but nothing beats meeting your mentors and peers face to face. You will make lifelong friends, have someone to call with questions, bounce ideas off of, and get insight into new products or services you may want to offer.

I also attended the first NWCOA conference held in New Orleans, the materials presented were right on target. I have not attended their seminar since, but hope to resume some day, as I have many friends in that organization.

Shawn, I can not be more serious than when I say that the information I have learned at the WCT Seminars has been a critical component to my success. If you go into these with an open mind, learn good techniques for your professional service, take some time to research markets and demographics, make good business descisions, and work your butt off, you can too!!!

I look forward to meeting you in Cleveland!

I just booked the flight and the room. For those of you not interested in the round table, I will be giving ballet lessons.

I'm going with the sparkling blue and green leotards and the dazzling diamond flecked long sleeve top; for that hummingbird effect.

i really don't have the time off from work to attend seminars nor the extra money. I am getting out of the national guard this month; and was looking for a side job to substiute the income. Which would hopefully grow into a full time buisness. I need to ease my way into it until i'm sure theres enough money in it to support my kids and wife. Where i'm the only one that works due to my wife attending college. If anyone knows of anyone knows of any books or movies or anything else that could give me any much needed info that would be great. thank you shawn

There ain't no "free lunch". Two cage traps and a step ladder isn't the answer. The SEARCH feature and the ADC Archives will bring up a lot of useful information. Robb Russell's podcasts contain some of the best information that you will find without working with an experienced operator http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3526706/Re_ADC_Business#Post3526706

Other operators from Maine may be willing to work with you. Some of them are listed at http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/pdfs/ADCListforInfoCenter.pdf and http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/index.htm. For additional information contact http://www.maine.gov/ifw/contactus.htm.

Shawn, what part of Maine are you from?

I am from presque isle area way up north. thanks

I think you'll find it hard to make a full time living from wco work where you are. You just don't have the population up there. You're going to need a population, in general, of around 200,000 plus. You could maybe make a good part-time income though.

You might be able to find a niche market like beaver control for the paper companies though.

There's a book you might want to get National Wildlife Control Training Program. It's a rather basic, introductory type book but it will give you some info.

For a website, check out http://nwco.net/default.asp.