80-7-1101. Department to operate vertebrate pest management program. (1) The department may establish and operate organized and systematic programs for the management and suppression of vertebrate pests. Vertebrate pests are defined as jackrabbits, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, rats, mice, skunks, raccoons, bats, snakes, voles, and depredatory and nuisance birds. Depredatory and nuisance birds are defined as blackbirds, cowbirds, starlings, house sparrows, and feral pigeons, when they are injurious to agriculture, other industries, and the public. For this purpose, the department may enter into written agreements with appropriate federal agencies, other state agencies, counties, associations, corporations, or individuals covering the methods and procedures to be followed in the management and suppression of these vertebrate pests, the extent of supervision to be exercised by the department, and the use and expenditure of funds appropriated, when this cooperation is necessary to promote the management and suppression of vertebrate pests. Management is:

(a) the correct identification of a vertebrate pest;

(b) recognition of its biology and environmental needs;

(c) assessment of the pest's damage, injury, or nuisance to agriculture, industry, or the public prior to selecting and implementing any integrated or individual control methods to reduce, prevent, or suppress these damages, nuisances, or injuries; and

(d) evaluating the effects of these control methods.

(2) This section does not apply to nongame wildlife managed or protected subject to Title 87, chapter 5, part 1.