United States Department of Agriculture 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

Wildlife Services Directive 

WS 2.626

7/10/2023 

ROCKET NET CHARGES, ELECTRIC MATCHES AND INCIDENTAL EXPLOSIVE 

MATERIALS USE AND SAFETY

1. PURPOSE

To establish procedures and accountability for the safe and secure handling and use of

explosive rocket net charges and other incidental explosive materials for Wildlife 

Services (WS) personnel and to ensure that applicable laws, regulations, and policies are 

observed. 

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This Directive replaces WS Directive 2.625, Pyrotechnics, Rocket Net Charges, and

Incidental Explosive Materials, dated, January 6th, 2006. 

3. AUTHORITY

a. 7 U.S.C. 8351 to 8353, and 16 U.S.C. 667, authorizes officers, agents, and employees

of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) to conduct a program of wildlife

services and to enter into agreements with states, local jurisdictions, individuals, and

public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions for the purpose of

conducting such services.

b. Authority to promulgate a policy addressing employee responsibilities is pursuant to

USDA Departmental Regulation 4070-735-001, dated October 2007.

4. BACKGROUND

Rocket and cannon-net systems can be an effective live capture tool for surveillance,

research, and wildlife damage management. Rocket/cannon net charges contain regulated 

explosive materials requiring specific safety, security, storage, transportation, and records 

maintenance procedures. Incidental components of wildlife damage management tools 

classified as explosive materials include electric matches. 

5. POLICY

a. For official government duties, certified WS personnel are authorized to use only

explosive materials and components approved by the WS Explosives Safety SubCommittee.

b. WS use, storage, transportation, and accountability of explosives must be in
Wildlife Services Directive 2.626 2 

compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local laws and regulations, WS 

Explosives Safety Manual, WS Rocket Net/Cannon Net Safety Manual, and Storage 

and Transportation of Rocket Net Charges and Incidental Explosive Materials

Standard Operating Procedures FP/WS 005.0. 

c. WS rocket/cannon net certified WS personnel are authorized to use explosives 

covered by this directive. 

d. WS personnel are not authorized to use, handle, or dispose of rocket net charges or 

other explosives belonging to other agencies. 

e. Distribution of rocket/cannon net charges to individuals or agencies outside of WS is 

prohibited. 

f. Obtaining rocket/cannon net charges from any source other than licensed distributors 

or manufactures is prohibited. 

g. Accidents, theft or loss 

(1.) An employee with knowledge of theft or loss of any explosive material must 

immediately notify their supervisor and the incident must be reported to the WS 

Deputy Administrator through the supervisory chain of command. The employee 

must then contact local law enforcement and the Explosives Safety SubCommittee Chair. Finally, the State Director/NWRC Project Leader or their 

designee must report the incident within 24 hours to the Bureau of Alcohol, 

Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Bomb Data Center. 

ATF – U.S. Bomb Data Center contact and reporting information: 

Phone: 1-800-461-8841 (1-800-800-3855 on weekends or after-hours) 

Fax: 866-927-4570 Email: USBDC@ATF.gov 

Obtain a police report and complete the ATF Form 5400.5, Report of Theft or 

Loss-Explosive Materials, and submit any additional reports, documents, or 

invoices as required. 

(2.) Any suspicious, unusual activity, attempted theft of explosives, break-ins or 

attempted break-ins into buildings storing explosive materials must be reported 

in a timely manner to local law enforcement and the Explosives Safety SubCommittee Chair. Any incident must also be reported to the WS Deputy 

Administrator, through the supervisory chain of command. 

(3.) All accidents must be immediately reported by the supervisor to the APHIS 

Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection Branch, WS Safety and Health 

Manager, and the WS Explosives Safety Sub-Committee Chair. Additionally, 

accidents must be reported to the WS Deputy Administrator, through the 

supervisory chain of command. 

6. IMPLEMENTATION 
Wildlife Services Directive 2.626 3 

a. Before using rocket/cannon nets, WS personnel must receive the WS’ Rocket Net/ 

Cannon Net Safety Training and become WS rocket/cannon net certified. 

b. There may be additional specific state or local requirements for licenses or permits. 

Unless exempted, the additional requirements must be met before a WS 

rocket/cannon net certified employee can use, store, or transport rocket nets. 

c. The WS Explosives Safety Sub-Committee Chair is the certifying official with 

authority to issue, deny, or revoke rocket/cannon net certification. 

d. WS’ Rocket Net/Cannon Net Safety Training and certification requirements: 

(1.) Supervising State Director or NWRC Project Leader must nominate qualified 

candidates. 

(2.) Candidates must complete a minimum of 16 hours of official WS training on 

rocket/cannon net safety, explosives handling procedures, security, and legal 

compliance. 

(3.) Candidates must demonstrate safe and proficient use of rocket/cannon net 

components and use procedures approved for WS field operations. 

(4.) After the candidates satisfy all WS training requirements, the WS Explosives 

Safety Sub-Committee will issue its certification recommendation to the subcommittee chair. 

(5.) The WS Explosives Safety Sub-Committee Chair will determine the candidate’s 

eligibility for certification, and, if approved, issue rocket/cannon net certification. 

e. To maintain rocket/cannon net certification, the employee must complete a minimum 

of 8 hours of approved Rocket Net/Cannon Net Safety Refresher Training every three 

years. Personnel whose certification expires must complete the 16-hour WS Rocket 

Net/Cannon Net Safety Training and certification requirements. 

f. State Directors and NWRC Project Leaders are responsible for ensuring that 

explosives magazine inspections, record keeping, and inventory requirements are met 

in accordance with Rocket Net/Cannon Net Safety Manual and WS Storage and 

Transportation of Rocket Net Charges and Incidental Explosive Materials Standard 

Operating Procedures FP/WS 005.0. 
Wildlife Services Directive 2.626 4 

7. SCOPE 

This Directive is applicable to all WS personnel. 

8. REFERENCES 

a. ATF Publication 5400.7, Federal Explosives Law and Regulations 

b. Title 27 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 555, Commerce in Explosives 

c. Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.109, Explosives and Blasting Agents 

d. APHIS Safety and Health Manual 

e. WS SOP FP/WS 005.0, Storage and Transportation of Rocket Net Charges and 

Incidental Explosive Materials 

f. WS Rocket Net/Cannon Net Safety Manual 

g. WS Explosives Safety Manual 

Janet L. Bucknall 

Deputy Administrator 

JANET

BUCKNALL

Digitally signed by JANET 

BUCKNALL

Date: 2023.07.10 

10:27:35 -04'00'