How to Become an ADC Agent

An ADC Agent is a trained individual who is certified by the Department as an Agent of the Commissioner to provide assistance in resolving human/wildlife conflicts with the public following Departmental policies and guidance.  ADC Agents use strategies, methods, and tools which are effective and provide permanent or long-term solutions. An ADC Agent will be expected to build positive relationships and work cooperatively under the direction of the Regional Wildlife Biologists and District Game Warden. Additionally, ADC Agents will be expected to respectfully interact with members of the public while representing the MDIFW.

Animal Damage Control Agents are needed to address a variety of nuisance wildlife complaints that are too numerous for Department staff to respond. Some wildlife species are drawn to residential areas because they offer food, shelter, and safety from natural predators. Often well-intentioned people are unaware of the consequences of their actions that attract wildlife around their homes, properties and surrounding landscape.  Similarly, most often homeowners are unaware of the regulations involved removing individual animals from their property in the proper and safe way.  ADC agents ensure that wildlife conflicts are addressed in a safe and legal manner consistent with best management practices and ethical considerations.

The primary benefit of ADC Agent is that these trained individuals have knowledge of appropriate conflict resolution techniques to apply to many situations or situations, which also will ensure that proper legal and ethical considerations are applied when handling wildlife conflicts. Especially when lethal removal is required, humane killing must be conducted appropriately and in a reasonable manner with the welfare of the animal in mind. Additionally, a trained ADC Agent will know how to handle animals appropriately to prevent any spread of diseases to humans or wildlife. These guidelines help to ensure the community remains healthy and the health and safety of wildlife populations are maintained. Trained and certified ADC Agents will have applicable and useful knowledge to share with the community and individuals on how to prevent wildlife conflicts by offering outreach and educational materials. Only when prevention hasn't worked should ADC Agents consider live capture and relocation or lethal control.

There are several specialties that ADC Agents can become certified. Many wildlife/human conflicts involve species that are common in urban areas. However, bats, beavers, and bears may require additional training and experience in Best Management Practices to properly address the problem.

• Answer phone calls from landowners and individuals that are experiencing a problem/conflict with wildlife and provide basic education on avoiding conflict with wildlife
• Help callers determine if the animal is truly creating or causing a conflict, or if the caller simply needs to better understand the behavior of the animal and provide preventative suggestions through education
• Consult MDIFW District Game Warden or Regional Wildlife Biologists on certain wildlife conflicts
• Safely and humanely remove wildlife from people's homes and property and relocate to appropriate locations if appropriate
• Understand and know how to humanely dispatch wildlife creating conflicts

• Time
• Commitment, positive attitude, and ability to work with people
• Professionalism
• Proper equipment and training
• Ability to identify wildlife damage
• Knowledge of wildlife damage prevention and control techniques
• Knowledge and skill in handling and capture of wildlife
• Knowledge of wildlife disease issues
• Managing stress and risk and ensuring safety
• Knowledge of State, Federal, and local regulations
• Ability to obtain licenses or permits

Complete a Maine Trapping Course. A trapper education course teaches participants how to responsibly trap furbearing animals and bears in Maine. This comprehensive course provides a foundation of knowledge and skills upon which to build. Topics covered in the 10-hour course include trapping ethics, proper trapping equipment, responsible trap setting, and the importance of sound wildlife management practices. Enroll in an upcoming trapper education course.

You must obtain a Maine Trapping License. Trapping licenses can be renewed online.

A person buying a trapping license for the first time must purchase it through the MDIFW office in Augusta, in person, by email at ifw.licensing@maine.gov, or via mail. Please call (207) 287-8000 for more information.

You MUST contact your Regional Wildlife Biologist to see if there is a need for an ADC Agent in their region. It is encouraged that you have several years of experience trapping prior to becoming an ADC Agent. ADC Agent certifications shall be issued by the Commissioner based on Department need, geographic location, and an individual's ability to perform functions and services that address wildlife-conflict needs for a given area. The need for additional ADC Agents shall be determined by taking into consideration factors including, but not limited to:

• Demonstrated experience resolving human-wildlife conflicts, which may include experience trapping, implementing prevention, site modification, or habitat modification techniques;
• Number and location of other ADC Agents in an area or a region;
• Human-wildlife conflict levels;
• Local human population density;
• Ability to provide unique services or specific resolution types; and
• Preference will be given to applicants who are physically located in the state year-round to ensure consistent and quick responses; and

Contact your Regional Wildlife Biologist and District Game Warden here:

• Region A: Gray (207) 287-2345
• Region B: Sidney (207) 287-5300
• Region C: Jonesboro (207) 255-2080
• Region D: Strong (207) 778-3322
• Region E: Greenville (207) 695-3756
• Region F: Enfield (207) 794-1003
• Region G: Ashland (207) 435-3231

Once you have discussed ADC activities and regional need with your Regional Wildlife Biologist and District Game Warden and has agreed to move forward with the process, the Biologist will provide you with the following information:

Part A of the Application: Criminal History Disclosure

• Complete and submit a  Part A of the application packet - Criminal History Disclosure questionnaire (Part A).
  • The applicant must disclose any criminal convictions and civil violations, and submit to a background check. Any of the following convictions or adjudications may disqualify the applicant from certification upon review by the Department.
    • Class A, B, C or D convictions within the previous 3 years (except the disqualification period for convictions may be longer where provided for by law);
    • Any conviction or adjudication for a violation of any provision of 12 M.R.S. Part 13 within the previous 5 years.
  • This must be completed in its entirety and submitted to the Department
  • This form will be reviewed and sent to the warden service to conduct a background check
  • Results of the background check will be submitted to the ADC program coordinator for review
  • If the person's record is acceptable, they will be contacted within 30 days and instructed to proceed to step 2, otherwise the applicant will be notified of Department decision of denial.
  • Applicant must provide two (2) professional references

Part B of the Application: Experience, Training, Policy Review, and Staff Endorsement

• Receive and complete Part B of the application packet – Experience and Training Document and the Administrative Policy regarding Human and Wildlife Conflicts (J1.6) for review.
  • In order to complete the packet, the applicant must read and understand the Administrative Policy, and demonstrate that they have reviewed the required instructional and advisory materials.
    • Required review materials: Avoidance of Accidental Lynx Captures video on the Department website
• The applicant, Regional Wildlife Biologist, and/or the District Game Warden will discuss the Administrative Policy, individual expectations, and workflow
• Receive endorsement signature from Regional Wildlife Biologist and District Game Warden
• Additionally, each will indicate which group of species they believe the applicant can successfully perform conflict resolution tasks.
• Note: If either or both the Regional Wildlife Biologist or District Game Warden are not willing to endorse the application, the applicant is still welcome to submit their completed application to the Department for final review – however, it will be much more difficult to receive certification without this endorsement.
• Once all the requirements from Step 4 have been satisfied, the applicant will be notified that they are ready to prepare for and schedule an appointment for the examination, otherwise they will be notified of their deficiencies in their training requirement, or a denial based on other eligibility requirements.

Your Regional Wildlife Biologist will direct you to the National Wildlife Control Training Program. You must complete the course and pass the examination in order to receive an ADC certification. Conflicts involving bear or bats will require additional training.

Every ADC Agent must submit Quarterly Reports OR individual reports as you go to the Nuisance Wildlife Database, OR submit Quarterly Report ADC Activities to your Regional Wildlife Biologist.