‘Critter Gitter’ relocates wayward animals
For a business that got its
official start in September,
McClintock has already
“As far as I know it is the relocated over 100 animals.
only one nationwide. When I
“I just started doing it to
went to put my ad in the begin with, but I began to find
yellow pages they questioned a need for this type of work,”
it. The guy had worked there McClintock said. “Right now
twenty-five years and never there is not a lot of money to
came across anything like it,” be made at this, but there is a
Clackamas Community Col possibility down the line that I
lege student Larry McClintock might be able to make a living
said.
doing it. The spring will tell
What exactly is he talking whether there is a demand for
about? His two-month old this.”
business, of course. Better
In order to get a start at
known as “The Critter his new business, McClintock
Gitter,” McClintock is mak needed approval from the Fish
ing a living out of animal and Wildlife Commission so
rescue and relocation.
he could work with the wild
“It was just an idea. I was animals.
involved in trapping quite a bit
The tedious part of the
before this,” McClintock said. business comes with the paper
“Certain wild animals can work. McClintock is required
cause problems and there is to have a business license for
not one who specializes in this each city he serves. With each
area.”
animal he relocates, he must
The system is easy. Mc fill out a report to the Game
Clintock has a 24-hour Commission. On top of that
answering service which he needs a license to capture,
receives complaints about wild transport and release wild
animals that are a nuisance. If animals.
the complaining is an
McClintock, a Milwaukie
emergency he will respond im resident, works with a
mediately. If not, McClintock Portland telephone number so
will get in touch with the per that people can call from all
son at a later time.
suburban areas without being
McClintock discusses the charged long-distance rates.
problem with the customer
The majority of the
and informs them of his fees. animals he works with he
The original fee comes with refers to as “little furry ones.”
the installation of his equip Included in this group are rac
ment (traps), and an addi coons, muskrats, beavers,
tional fee is charged with the weasles and skunks, even
.
removal of the animal. Costs though he feels his business is
depend on the size and type of capable of handling bears and
animal.
cougars if needed.
Following the removal
The type of traps the
there is a 30-day grace period “Critter Gitter” uses are cage
in which if any of the pro like life traps, into which the
blems re-occur, he will install animal is lured by bait and
his equipment without another trapped alive. Once the animal
installation fee.
is trapped, McClintock then
By Doug Vaughan
Of The Print
s
CRITTER CATCHER—College student Larry McClintock poses with his unique
‘.‘Critter Gitter” vehicle. Raccoons, muskrats and skunks are some of the
various animals transported in McClintock’s truck during relocation
maneuvers.
Photo by Joel Miller
relocates it into its normal a patent, but it is only in the trolled circumstances so they
habitat.
beginning stages. McClintock can find out the faults of the
“I work with the game has designed an all-steel model trap and perfect it. One amaz
commission
on
that that uses springs, but is in the ing aspect of the trap is that it
(relocating),” McClintock process of removing the spr can accommodate more than
said. “We monitor the areas ings and installing hydraulics one animal at a time.
pretty good. We have to put and electrical units.
Once McClintock has
them in a habitat that will
McClintock said the pro thoroughly tested the trap, a
satisfy their needs.”
blem with a spring cage is that final model will be made out
McClintock is in his after it is used 20 times the spr of aluminum and will be
fourth term of welding at the ings need replacing. His inven anodized for salt water use.
College and is also studying tion does not include springs, He does not know exactly how
hydraulics. Even though the and will function quickly and effective or expensive the pro
areas of study may not seem to easily without the wear, Mc ject will be.
intertwine with the business, Clintock said.
So far, McClintock’s far
they are becoming profitable
thest call has been from
This type of cage is
for him.
Eastern Oregon, but in due
especially needed for the cap
“I have developed a new ture of otters, who are too time the word may spread to
life trap that will be capable of quick for the conventional other regions.
“I just like working with
taking anything alive,” Mc traps, McClintock said. He is
Clintock said. “It will work aware of an otter problem in animals and I am an outdoors
off compressed air, where the the area, and his hope is that type person,” McClintock
animal will actually trick a his trap will help cure the pro said. “If you can take a rac
coon out of downtown Oregon
light beam.”
blem.
City and put it in a habitat
The invention is pending
Once
McClintock where it can survive just as
modifies his prototype, the good without rumaging
Game Commission has agreed through trash cans, it is worth
to help him test it under con- it.”
“deneial” type fish ladder in
at least one location near the
old Maple Lane intersection.
OREGON CITY ALBERTSON’S
This is the same kind of in
WISHES YOU A
stallation that has been used
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
successfully on small-
tributaries._______ ________ „
College site for regional project
Jerry Herrmann, ELC
director, announced that the
John Inskeep Environmental
Learning Center at Clackamas
Community College has been
designated by the Oregon
Department of Fish and
Wildlife as the Regional
Demonstration Project for the
Salmon Trout Enhancement
Program (STEP).
As part of the recogni
tion, the ODFW will provide
the Center with the technical
assistance, 25,000 winter
steelhead eggs and interpretive
signage.
In anticipation of the for
mal dedication of the Fish
Rearing Facility fish and
wildlife biologist Dave
Heckeroth will explain the
STEP program and how other
individuals can become involv
ed at a “Home Fisheries and
Aquaculture” seminar to be
presented at the ELC Pavilion
from 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov.
29.
In other STEP related ac
tivities, the ELC has suc
cessfully negotiated with the
State Highway Department to
provide fish passage culverts
Wednesday November 16, 1983
for both down-stream
migrants (juvenile salmon)
and upstream spawning runs
of salmon and steelhead.
Negotiations with the
State are underway to con-
struct a simple and inexpensive
CCC STUDENTS
These specials are for you
only. Please show copy of
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body card for these prices.
For all your party needs
Come visit our Deli and Bake Shoppe
Now open 7 a.m. to 10p.m.
for your convenience
FRESH DONUTS $1.99 a dozen—7 to 10 a.m. daily
COFFEE—20c a cup
Ski Tune Up Special
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Athletic Shoes ...
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All ski clothing
(in bargain area)............... 50% off
Olympic 61/2 foot trout rod
(A $20.00 value).................$10.00
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LAKKY o & ski haus
TELEPHONE: 656-0321
OREGON CITY SHOPPING CENTER
OPEN 9-9 DAILY
MONDAY NIGHT KICK-OFF SPECIAL— 5 to 8 p.m.
12 pieces of chicken plus 1 pound of potato
salad all for $4.98
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$1.29 each
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