Why does the federal government make the distinction between being paid to trap beavers with live traps vs lethal traps? I spoke with multiple game wardens, and all of them were unaware of this. I had no idea until I talked to a pest control company yesterday.

Not sure I follow you. Can you expand a little?

Sounds like something from Wildlife Services

Many game wardens are not up to speed on what federal agents are allowed to use for controlling problem wildlife species. Pest control folks are often less informed than game wardens.
Do you have a specific question? You can look them up and call them. They'll let you know.

X2

If I want to be paid to do a nuisance beaver job, the department of agriculture says I can't use conibears without being licensed by them. I can use snares and footholds all I want though. The license requires a 3 year apprenticeship.

Thank you for the explanation.

No idea what your talking about unless it's the state dept. of ag. Federal usda has no say in what anyone use's, that's up to each state to decide via game commission or legislature.

X2
It has to be a TX thing or what ever state you are in. USDA does not tell us what we can use to trap here in ND. Often the stupid rules/laws are pushed by other paid to trap trappers to cut down on competition. If no one else can get a license without jumping through hoops, it cuts down on the number of people that can do the job. It is justified in the name of safety.

I assume he is referring to if he wants paid by USDA. Then they can make all the rules they want.

You (and any employer or contract agency) is much more subject to responsibility when doing wildlife control for money (pay for duty) than you alone fur trapping. Remember Uncle Sam PRINTS MONEY, so they are named in any law suit perceiving damages. Attorneys make extremely good livings threatening a court case and then settle for some cool cash out of court (rarely go to court). So should some ya, ya person think its like trapping on private ground for fur - think again! I have trapped for the Corp of Eng. on a non pay job and for the State of Nebraska for pay which required nothing more than insurance. I was employed by USDA for 34 years as a civil Eng. tech and our work was constantly scrutinized by folks looking to bring suit against the U.S. government and settle out of court for a tidy sum of cash. Nebraska has a Recreational Use Law that I'm sure is similar to other states that if Hunting, Fishing, Trapping or using the land for recreational purpose,,, the owner or person granting use is exempt from any liability. BUT take 1 dollar from a landowner for bounty or lease (deer/pheasant hunting big here) the landowner becomes libal for any and all accompanying events related to that activity. So you play by the rules or you are out of any SUPPORT and they (attorneys) go after you as an individual for PERCEIVED damage. Any assets you have, guilty or not of any damage (mostly not) is fair game for the 'ambulance chasers'. ....... the mike

I'm talking about being paid by a privately owned company. The Dept of Ag says I can't accept the job if I'm using lethal traps without their licenses. Since they are a federal agency, I would assume this applies to all 50 states?

Hmmm

Not that I have ever heard of. Like I said it has to be a TX thing.

It's not the case her in Minnesota. Here the state issues trapping permits via their enforcement division. Their laws are state only laws.

Only the USDA trappers have to abide by USDA rules as part of their employment.

Cant see this being a texas thing, give their regular trapping regs. You need to talk to your state wildlife agencies. Ag departments (state level not the USDA) generally have nothing to do with wildlife outside of penned deer/elk/etc and bugs.

USDA cannot tell a private trapper what they can or cannot do unless you are working for them. Occasionally you might have to go through them to get a permit to deal with migratory birds or animals on federally protected lists.

That's what I'm thinking too SniperB. Something don't add up.

I have called so many people trying to figure this out. I've talked to USDA, TPWD, US forestry agents, and state biologist trappers. It looks like if you want to get paid in Texas and want to use conibears or any other lethal trap, you must be licensed through The Texas department of agriculture.

The Texas Dept of Ag is not the federal government. Is that where the confusion is coming from?