Online Course: This course is for students and professionals interested in learning about all aspects of capturing and immobilizing wild animals using a variety of techniques and drugs. Learn from Dr. Terry Kreeger, the author of the Handbook of Wildlife Chemical Immobilization (6th edition eBook included!), which is the seminal work on the topic and an important resource for all wildlife professionals. This course can be taken on its own (equivalent to 1 academic credit) or in combination with the field course (equivalent to 2 academic credits total). To participate in the field course, learners must complete the STANDARD online course.
Field Course: This immersive 4-day field course at the Wildlife Science Center (WSC) in Stacy, Minnesota, is designed to provide participants with a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning experience capturing and immobilizing wildlife using a variety of drugs. WSC is a nonprofit, science-based education facility that specializes in programs on wolves and other large carnivores. During the course, participants will partake in a series of hands-on labs and handle animals that NEED to be captured for ongoing research or animal care at WSC, including wolves, cougars, black bears, and a variety of mesocarnivores. By the end of the week, participants will gain experience in all practical aspects of capture and chemical immobilization, including safe capture techniques, pharmacology, delivery systems, patient monitoring, collecting biological tissues, medical emergencies, and more.
There are no prerequisites for the online course.
To participate in the field course, learners must first complete the STANDARD online course or provide proof of training from an approved course provider. To satisfy the prerequisite requirement, this training must have been completed <1 year prior to taking the field course.
Each day, students will capture, chemically immobilize, and handle different species of wildlife at the Wildlife Science Center (WSC), a nonprofit, science-based education and research facility that specializes in programs on wolves and other large carnivores.
DATES
Online Course:
- Learn at your own pace with or without instructor support (see Online Course Format Chart below for details).
- Summer: Jun 1 – Sept 6, 2026
- Fall: Sept 8 – Dec 20, 2026 (Early bird ends August 9)
- From $295, depending on format. Early bird saves $75 on the online course
Field Course (Optional, additional fee applies):
- September 14-17, 2026 in Stacy, Minnesota.
- $1,750 student/unemployed, $1,950 employed
- Accommodation is available on-site for an additional fee ($35 per night—see details in FACILITY INFO).
- Participants are responsible for their own travel to/from Minnesota.
- Pay 50% deposit now; remaining tuition due 45 days before the field course starts.
- Select the appropriate equipment and delivery systems for a capture scenario
- Determine the appropriate drugs and calculate the correct dosages for each species
- Carry out safety protocols associated with drug handling, capture, and chemical immobilization
- Demonstrate proper patient care and monitoring
- Collect tissue samples for disease monitoring and research
- Fit animals with a radio-collar and other tags
- Administer vaccinations, antibiotics, and reversals to immobilized animals
TEXT
Kreeger, T.J., J.M. Arnemo, N.A. Caulkett, J.O. Hampton, and L.C.R. Meyer. 2023. Handbook of Wildlife Chemical Immobilization, 6th edition. Published by authors, Bovey, Minnesota, USA. 504 pp.
*** 6th edition eBook version included! ***
- Day 1 - Introductions and safety, needle lab, & dart gun lab
- Day 2 - Black bear capture
- Day 3 - Wolf captures
- Day 4 - Mesocarnivore captures
FACILITY
The Wildlife Science Center (WSC) is a nonprofit, science-based education facility that specializes in programs on wolves and other large carnivores. In addition to providing educational programs to children K-12, the facility is used to conduct research, train wildlife professionals and students like you, and provide critical assistance to endangered species recovery programs, such as red wolves and Mexican gray wolves.
TRAVEL TO WSC
Participants are responsible to find transportation to/from WSC; participants must coordinate with other students if needing to carpool (we will help with that).
LODGING INFO
Participants have the option to stay at WSC for $35/night in an unlocked cabin (bunkhouse) on a gated property. Bathrooms and showers are located in a building nearby. Participants must bring a towel and a sleeping bag or sheets and a blanket for a twin mattress on a bunkbed. Meals are on your own. A gas stove and refrigerator are available for cooking dinners and other meals. WSC staff and other course participants will provide carpool options each night to sample the local fare. Other local accommodations are available in Forest Lake, MN.

***Click here to learn more about CWS courses***

ONLINE COURSE OPTIONS & INFORMATION (Review chart above, then click below)

FORMAT:
- 3 months of access to course materials as you work at your own pace
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
- 16 CEUs with The Wildlife Society
- 4 CEUs in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training with the Ecological Society of America
- See our Continuing Education Page for more details.
FORMAT:
- 3 months of access to course materials as you work at your own pace
- Get instructor support from Dr. Kreeger for the 3-month term via email
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
- 16 CEUs with The Wildlife Society
- 4 CEUs in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training with the Ecological Society of America
- See our Continuing Education Page for more details

Lead Field Instructor

Peggy Callahan
Executive Director, Wildlife Science Center in Stacy, MN

TESTIMONIALS

“My experience in the four-day Wildlife Capture and Chemical Immobilization course was incredible. The hands-on opportunities to apply classroom learning and work with native North American species was invaluable. Dr. Kreeger and the Wildlife Science Center staff were excellent teachers! I look forward to applying this experience in the field in collaborations with wildlife biologists and researchers in New York.”
Read my blog about the full experience HERE!

**-Jennifer Bloodgood**
Wildlife Veterinarian & Assistant Professor of Practice, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

“The Wildlife Capture and Chemical Immobilization course at CWS was exciting, fascinating, and very informative! The techniques learned with the hands-on approach will be invaluable to my future career. I highly recommend this course!”

**-Jennifer Jachman**
DVM, Greenfield Animal Hospital, Southfield, Michigan

“*A life experience for students, let alone a great way to learn a new, valuable skill – by doing!”*

**-Dr. Erik R. Olson**
Associate Professor, Northland College

“A top-notch course taught by subject matter experts. The instruction was skillfully delivered with the ideal blend of classroom time and practical application. We all got lots of solid hands-on experience with a variety of techniques and animals. The Wildlife Science Center was the perfect training venue; excellent facilities with an amazing staff. I had no immobilization experience prior to this training, but left feeling confident. Thank you!”

-Jim Peterson, Biological Scientist, United States Air Force

“The training I received through the wildlife capture and chemical immobilization course helped me get a job and has allowed me to jump right in to the capture operations. Thank you for the trainings and opportunities you create through CWS courses!”

-**John Melvin**, Idaho Fish and Game

SCHOLARSHIPS

Full scholarships for the online course tuition are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details. We do not have scholarships available for the field component at this time.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Online Course: Cancellations more than 30 days before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations 1-30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.

Field Course: The remaining tuition balance is due 45 days prior to the field course start date. Cancellations more than 45 days before the start date can be fully refunded. For cancellations 15-45 days before the start date, there is a 50% refund. No refunds will be made for cancellations 14 days or less from the course start.

QUESTIONS?