Pest Control Contracting

This has come up before-try using the search function on the AGN home page. The minute you start charging for pest control you will need insurance and probably a license for the state you're working in. From what I remember reading it is pretty complicated, but if that's your dream, go for it!
John

Watching lots of the pest control vids on YouTube that come from across the Pond (VerminHunters, HuntersVermin, etc.) I just assumed that most of that work was done not for profit, but rather for the enjoyment of the hunters. Then again, the term "permissions" as used by those guys may not mean just "permitted to shoot pest species and keep the quarry". Still, I've thought about looking for permission from farmers and commercial/industrial landowners to do some pesting. As John notes above, insurance is likely the biggest issue in that case, so long as profit is not part of the equation. Nowadays it definitely pays to dig deep on the laws and rules in place where you live/shoot.

If you do it for free, then no insurance needed?

Smaug, I would not suggest you exposé yourself to the risk of shooting, even as a donation, on a large scale. The NRA offers insurance for shooting, which covers airgun shooter and takes precedence over your home owners policy. Really good idea to get 250,000 of coverage for a few bucks a month. I would even consider more like 1/2 million or more if I was going to get serious.

My profession is high risk, so that does colour my outlook. Ounce of prevention vs. pound of cure.

Sorta of. 

Both of my permissions are just outside the city limits, and both are small ranches (≤50 acres). Pigeons and Eurasian doves are the main game, and when I'm lucky, fox and coyote. I don't get paid per se, but I get invited to all of the family's function, where there is ALWAYS food. About 4 months ago, I was given enough meat to make a whole year with while. There were T-bones, sirloins, bacon, port roast, sausage, and my favorite, spiced tongue! So I guess I was paid in kind. 

Great work if you can get it, @Alan. Sweet situation indeed.

Just something to keep in mind, a lot of people expect extermination when it reality it will never happen. It sounds romantic to try and exterminate a problem animal or species for someone but I can tell you from experience it is dang near impossible to do it with a firearm regardless of species and when you have to kill every single one you find out real quick what your skill level is or lack there of. 

Something I have learned with pests be it birds, beavers, raccoons, deer. There is no place so good that you need to work for free. There is always a place that is better on down the road that someone will be more than happy to let you do your thing. The moment they "expect" something out of you, you need to start talking $. You have gas, equipment, your time, time away from family, the list goes on. 

It took me about 2 times to get this thru my thick skull but it wont happen again.

I think you can actually get em all-BUT only if you live on the property and make regular patrols several times a week. You get down to the smart ones and then it takes patience and timing to get a shot. Better have your holdover figured out then because a miss will set you waayy back.
The property I live on (40 acres) was overrun with ground squirrels. It took a while, but I got them all. After that it's going to be the occasional 'explorer' adolescent looking to expand territory and they usually haven't learned to be cautious yet.
Now rabbits are another subject altogether....

I have been pesting in an area for the past 3 years. I started at a building that had been vacant for a decade. I was working for the property owner when he mentioned he couldnt get rid of the pigeons. He was the new owner and wanted to use the structure for storage and office stuff. So I got to work on them with a Crosman Nitro piston in .177. I did this as part of my daily task and was paid my hourly wage. I then threw word of mouth of the property owner and co-worker to the surrounding orchards. Unfourtenatly i killed off most of the pigeons, and the ones that survived no longer roost in the area. the only place i can find them now is at the small town store which is off limits. The dove and quail population has grown alot. So much so one orchardest told me he hasnt seen so many on his property in 10 years or so. Now we are starting to phesant pop up. 
In one orchard i use that 177 NP and a Gamo Viper Express to kill starlings and sparrows. The viper is good for about thirty feet but i keep it to 10. I also use a Crosman Cowboy for the sparrows during the cherry season. It knocks the birds down and dosnt disturb the cherries. I get lunch and usually hang for dinner. A beer or two makes its way to my mouth at that orchard.

Two other neighboring orchards give me fruit and fishing access to the river and a pond
At another orchard I use the same 3 guns, but rattle snake is added to the list. This guy pays 50c a bird and $2 a snake. I like to kill the snakes with the Viper . the snakes dont get to big so you can get within a yard of them. The biggest ive seen is 36" and that was 3 times the average legnth and the gerth was enourmus compared to average

I worked for another company that had huge hedge rows of black berry. There were ALOT of rats and mice. They let me set up on friday night threw sunday night. The owner was cool and would kick me a 6 pack 

I worked another farm for rabbits,rats,and mice. The owners are in there young 20's. They always have some beers and a bite to eat. Here I use a Np in 22 and the viper. I reload the shells, and its fun to catch those rodents running back and forth when walking the rows. The viper Express works well on rabbits within 10yards. The viper express does a better job on rodents and snakes than birds

Now I have moved again. I just happened to be at the right spot when a cattle and grain farmer was complaning about his pigeon and rat problem. I offered my services, and he excepted. He said that others in the area would be happy to pay. He also said he would vouch for me depending on results. So now im doing it for free. I just added a Marauder to my arsenal. My other guns wont work in this location. Just the excuse I needed to finally buy it!

I am hoping my new area will lead to more $$$$ to keep adding to my arsenal. At any rate it beats sitting around the house

i guess I should also mention when it comes to rabbit, mice/rats places usually ask me to place traps. I dont have any luck trapping rabbits, but i purposly disturb the runs and any holes i find. I also pee on any place i suspect a rabbit to be around. I let my dog then mark on top of me. That has gotten the coyotes and cats to mark these areas aswell. i do this in hopes to scare off the rabbits. I think it works. As for rat traps I like the bucket half full of water trap. I have even burried buckets and left a hole in the lid. this will catch snakes so be careful