Looney, Gary, 2005 - 2010

Sub-Series — Box: 2, Folder: 3

Staff Only

Click to view full transcript at WS Digital Collections (https://nwrc.contentdm.oclc.org/)

Scope and Contents

Gary Looney was interviewed by Nancy Freeman on October 6, 2005 at the Idaho State Office in Boise, Idaho.

Subseries contains correspondence, research and interview notes, interview transcripts, biography, release form, interview questions, photographs, and audio files of the interview.

Dates

2005 - 2010

Creator

Looney, Gary (Interviewee, Person)

Biographical / Historical

Gary Looney was born on Dec. 9, 1949 in Coffeeville, Kansas. After serving over two and a half years in the Army (Rank-E-5) from 1968-1971, he worked as a cowboy or buckaroo in northern Nevada, southeast Oregon and southern Idaho (1971-1979). During that time he procured an associate degree in Agribusiness from the College of Southern Idaho in DePaul and trapped fur during fur season. In 1980, he joined the Idaho State Police Brand Department for five years as a livestock brand inspector before returning to independent fur trapping. In 1986, Looney obtained a temporary government trapping position with Wildlife Services, formerly known as Animal Damage Control under the Fish and Wildlife Service, working seasonally in Dubois and Sandpoint, ID until he was permanently hired in 1987. In 1990, he transferred to the Bruneau/Hammett area where he has served since. An avid outdoorsman and skilled decoy carver, Looney married his wife Diane in 1988 and has three children.

Extent

From the Collection: 2.1 linear feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

Gary Looney reminisces about his current and past work for Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He talks about his experiences as a government trapper in predator control (primarily coyotes, ravens and wolves) and the different methods used including DRC1339, traps, snares, game calling, hunting dogs, lures, M-44, and aerial gunning. Looney discusses the changes in attitudes in predator control and aerial gunning, his experiences interacting with the public and various Wildlife Services and related personnel, and the future of wildlife management, trapping and predator control.