I was incorrect on that aspect. It does appear to be a state issue I'm trying to get clarification on.

What is the difference between a body grip and a foot trap on a drowner?

I emailed them at their request to get clarification. According to what I've read, this would fall under structural pest control. This is defined as a person who inspects, bids, traps, or poisons on a property for everything from termites to beavers. Looks like I'm either done trapping, or at the very least limited to live trapping. In other news, the state biologist/trapper I talked to is asking me to take jobs for him.

I wouldn't give up, just charge more

Something isn't clicking here. Now that we are dealing with the State of Texas we have to ask -- who is paying you? The State or the landowner? Landowners can sometimes get around the payment regs if they give "In-Kind-Services" i.e. pay for a repair job on your truck, provide a gift card, buy you some traps...... all these because money does not trade hands directly. If the Job is for the State and they are paying you must play by their terms..... I want to see the cage live trap for the termites and the bait - maybe toothpicks? . Oh and SNIPERB hit the nail -------- MORE MONEY............ the mike

I believe your pest control company is wrong.

USDA wildlife service can not legally complete against you .

As Jtrapper said, USDA WS has nothing to do with this.

Not quite entirely true silkyplainscoyote. If your county in Nebraska participates in the WS program by budgeting money for animal control a Federal Trapper can/will be assigned to a specific complaint in that county. It can be as complex as aerial gunning on a ranch in western Nebr. or as simple as a # 3N by a private farm pond. Platte County (Columbus) participated at one time as I was contacted about a coyote in a trap for 3 days by a Nebraska Game and Parks employee. It was a Federal Trapper on a coyote complaint in a sheep pasture. Also it is illegal for a private person to set a trap on any Highway Right-of-Way in the State as the Nebraska Dept. of Transportation (the owner and supervisory agency in charge of the ROW) has floating contracts with WS in Lincoln. So if there is an animal problem along the highway, they (DOT) will activate that contract and pay WS for a Fed Trapper to eliminate that problem. I have run into that twice through the years (printed notes left at trap sites) and was told flatly that "DOT DOES NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO TRAP THEIR RIGHT-OF-WAYS". This from the road supervisory engineer in Norfolk! ! DOT will activate their contract with WS and "If you are caught trapping there you can get a ticket". Too bad as the public was getting animal removal for free at 1 time. I guess I consider that competition but others may not. ...................... the mike

If you are getting info from the Pest Control Company, It's my opinion that they are wrong. If the Texas Dept of Ag is telling you that, I would ask them to quote the and show you the proper law. It could be bizarre, wouldn't be the first time something strange in Texas and trapping has happened.

Do y’all run into GW while trapping private property? Or Feds? Just trap.

Mike, this is what the OP said. I'm sure USDA WS has nothing to do with stating what a private person can use or not use to take an animal. That's what Jtrapper was saying earlier.

I would PM Mark June. I'm sure there are other ADC trappers in TX, but he is the first to come to mind.

I have no idea who J is talking to or what they are telling him. But as the Past President of the Texas Trappers and Fur Harvesters who personally worked alongside Jonah Evans in San Antonio who is the man state gentleman overseeing state regs, and as a dude who has trapped all over Texas with private contracts.... this sounds bogus.

Who is telling J whatever they are telling him?

Call Jonah Evans at the state agency in San Antonio if you want the "law" guy.

Texas is WIDE open. Choot 'em!
I mean coni them all you want. Just not on dry land (not legal) which is how most people do it
What a state!

Blessings,
Mark

I remember Clint Locklear saying once that you could do whatever you want trapping in Texas up to using children for cougar bait.

PM answered.

I have a rule. Never listen to people who are far removed from the decision making.
It's like the game where you line up chairs, seat the folk, and then whisper "green tea leaves make fine tea" into the ear of the first person... who relays that on down the line.
By the time you get to person #6, they repeat the message back to you.

"Color has nothing to do with the taste of coffee."

Yep, learned a long time to ago that you don't just call the Wildlife office...You make sure you get the department inside the department you need to deal with. Dont just talk to the front desk people.

You didn't answer anything. I asked a question because I was told something that I was not sure about. I called around and asked to get clarification from a heck of a lot more than the wildlife office. I have not been doing this a long time, and this was the first I had heard anything like this, so i asked here. If I'm wrong, then that's great. As to which agency supercedes who, i don't know. If you want to call for yourselves, then here you go.

https://www.texasagriculture.gov/licensesregistrations.aspx

(877) 542-2474

List of all tda licenses and registrations ? Where you find trapping ? I'm curious as I've done several jobs in TX and didn't have anyone ever mention this.