For my second post !!
These are copys of other posts. The first is a copy of one I made on the NWCOA forum, my review of this past years Wildlife Academy. For those interested in advancing in this business I would suggest you consider attending in 2005.
The second is a Review by Larry Sullivan of the National Goose Management Academy of which I am the co founder and co owner.
For those that want this kind of information I hope there are helpful to you.
Kirk
Hi folks,
Well its been about two weeks since I returned from the NWDMA in Indianapolis. I came home to some challenges that life throws our way now and then and did not have the time to make this post but it sure has been on my mind. Things have more or less calmed down now and I can spend a moment or two here to share my thoughts on the academy event.
I honestly don't know where to start so I'll just ramble a bit. The first thought that comes to mind is this, I have attended dozens and dozens of wildlife control training events, seminars etc during my career but never have I attended anything like this event. Having the honor and the pleasure of being an instructor was a super plus but for those times I was not up in the front of the room I was glued to my seat as a student.
This was without a doubt the single best instructional event that I have ever attended, in fact, I will go so far as to say that industry history was made at this academy and the standard has been set for what a training experience should be for anyone in this business. I can only imagine how much better this will be in the years to come.
At every event I have attended the folks usually spend their off time doing what folks do, they depart to entertainment etc.. The folks at this event were like sponges, the instructors and the topics were so riveting that the off time became class time. The majority of the attendees stayed in the class room until midnight or even later for more and more. The instructors were more than willing to just keep going and going. Everyone of us that attends these kinds of events knows the value in the "hallway lessons" that happens when we gather. Every moment was a lesson event, at meals, at the back door having a smoke, everywhere.
The field event, wow, this is something that will certainly be extended next year as it was simply wonderful. Field time outside, at the event hotel (great field just outside the door with geese and woodchucks and other critters) as well as at Bills house (yea, we actually went to Bill Knaps house in a caravan), in a corn field learning a dirt hole set from Bill, simply fantastic to get our hands dirty, snaring woodchucks, to see and touch equipment, got me up on the roof for some squirrel trapping and inspecting, Dale had a soffet mock up and an aluminum brake, and more and more. I get a chill down my neck thinking back to that time out there learning like a kid on a boy scout adventure !!! A couple of the guys even took some time during a lunch brake to give me a personal field experience and sharing their knowledge of mole work with me setting several types of traps. What a lesson that I can take home with me !!, I learned something new hands on that will directly affect my business and my income. Dr. Bob, well he made history there all on his own, What a down to earth friendly guy who has a way of instructing that keeps your attention for hours on end and leaves you begging for more (see his academy review on trapperman.com). There were also impromptu classes by some of the students. Darcy from Canada, a new friend and business associate that I am sure we will be friends now until we are old and grey. Ron Peters, well sir, I hope to see you as well as Darcy at the white board next year as an instructor, what a great couple of guys. Stan the mole man, thanks for the laughs, the instruction and hey thanks for the truck keys so I could go get a new luggage bag, this guy does not know me from Adam yet lends me his truck to go shopping, gee thanks !, (thats the kind of folks that there there).
In class, where do I start ?? every day, heck, every hour I learned something new from these instructors that shared like water flows. I've known some of these folks for years and yet they were still sharing new information. Even the new to the business folks were sharing information and techniques that everyone could benefit from.
As an added plus, wow what a raffle event they had, it was like a WCO Christmas in that room !! No one left empty handed, everyone had a smile. Speaking of smiles, my jaw hurt all week from smiling and from laughing.
Meals, what a treat this was !!, (which were in the same seminar room by the way, WOW I liked that) and the catered in food was simply the best, the BEST!!!), Coffee and cookies and iced soda and water was always available, always !. I don't think anyone will forget the "can you top this funny WCO story" lunch event that just happened one day. People were hurting from laughing.
The hotel, as good as it gets, clean, comfortable, friendly staff that were always available and polite. No restaurant or bar to disappear into, and I liked that as well.
The folks, well they were the friendliest and most sharing group of people I have ever had the pleasure to instruct, be a student with and I know I will have some new life time friends.
Will I attend again, count on it, as long as they will have me I will be honored to be a part of this academy and I Highly suggest everyone in this business mark their calendars for next year, heck, sign up now before it's filled up.
Photos from the event are being posted at the official academy site, more will be posted soon (I submitted over 200 pics, about 50 or so are posted as of today, keep checking the site over the next week or so for new pics, I got some GREAT shots of this event). Visit the site for more info on next year, photos etc and make up your mind now that you will start saving your pennies and dedicate a couple of squirrel jobs towards your attendance fees (your attendance fee covers your event, handouts, hotel and all meals, you cant beat this anywhere !!)
Go to:
wildlifeacademy.homestead.comKirk La Pierre, 4/2004