Stephen M. Vantassel

Stephen M. Vantassel joined the Montana Department of Agriculture in May of 2015 as the Vertebrate Pest Specialist. Previously he was the Program Coordinator of Wildlife Damage Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He ran the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, based at the School of Natural Resources. In addition to writing books, Stephen gives presentations and runs training events on managing wildlife problems. Stephen has extensive hands-on experience with animal control as well as a Ph.D. in theology that focused on humans' relationship with animals. He adapted and expanded his dissertation for a book entitled, Dominion over Wildlife?: An Environmental-Theology of Human-Wildlife Relations (Wipf and Stock, 2009).

Stephen has worked professionally in animal damage control since 1983. He attributes his interest in the field as stemming from his desire to fur trap. However, since fur trapping isn't done in the city, he adapted his desire to trap to helping homeowners deal with problem wildlife. He became one of the first Problem Animal Controllers in the state of Massachusetts and in 2001 one of the first nationally Certified Wildlife Control Operators. He began Wildlife Removal Service, Inc., a business headquartered in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, which he sold in 1998. He also founded the Massachusetts Association of Problem Animal Controllers.

Stephen has discussed topics related to wildlife damage control on television, radio and in public settings. But his greatest impact is to be found in the area of publishing. He has articles published in a variety of magazines and newsletters including, but not limited to, Pest Control Technology, The Probe, Fur-Fish & Game, Trapper & Predator Caller, Animal Damage Control, etc. He is a former assistant editor for Wildlife Control Technology Magazine and continued as a staff writer for several years. He has also published several books, including The Wildlife Removal Handbook, rev. ed. and the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd. ed. Stephen's publishing also extends beyond the printed page to the web. He formerly wrote a column, "Living with Wildlife," on Suite101.com and has blogged at WildlifeControlConsultant.com

In 2008, Stephen received his Doctorate in Theology from Trinity Theological Seminary (Newburgh, IN) for his dissertation, A Biblical, Ethical, and Scientific Evaluation of the Christian Animal Rights Activists Movement's Opposition to Wildlife Trapping. Stephen believes that his academic training coupled with "real-world" animal damage control experience provides him with a unique perspective to discuss the complex issues surrounding humanity's use of wildlife. He also is an instructor at King's Evangelical Divinity School in Broadstairs, UK.

Stephen earned a B.A in 1987 in Biblical Studies from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, and a M.A.T.S in 1989 in Old Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He worked as an emergency medical technician for several summers and eventually became a lab instructor for the emergency medical technician class at Springfield College.

Stephen has won several awards including, the SNR Staff Recognition Award for the significant national attention his work has generated in 2008, and is a three-time winner of the NWCOA Educator of the Year Award (2017 is the most recent win).

Stephen loves his job at Montana's Department of Agriculture and he particularly enjoys providing appropriate animal damage control advice to a wide audience.

Stephen is happily married to Donna Vantassel, who is a Nurse Practitioner at Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown.