Trapping Classes Open Exciting Options

Posted on September 10, 2012

Most outdoorsmen and women know about hunter education and possibly archery education courses. These education programs are offered by game departments and conservation clubs from coast to coast. Now add trapping education courses to ways to get more out of the outdoors.  Trapping is a vital wildlife management tool, and learning to trap helps you learn more about wildlife and habitat. Here are some states with trapping education courses:

• Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection offers basic trapping and coyote land trapping courses on numerous dates and at several locations. The department is also adding more courses and dates. Details are at: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=479896&depNav_GID=1633.
• New York and Utah also offer trapping courses, and some are mandatory before you can set a trap. See the game department websites for additional details.
• Maine offers on-line trapper education study courses at (http://www.maine.gov/ifw/education/safety/trap.htm), and then a 1-hour written examination. The course is 10 or more hours total.
• Minnesota offers free courses through the state’s trapper association. Details are at: http://www.mntrappers.org/mtaed.html.

The vast majority of states offer other trapping courses. Go to your state’s game department website for more information.

Now that wolves are fair game in an increasing number of states, trappers might be interested in the special wolf trapping courses offered in Idaho, Alaska and Montana. Alaska also offers a snare school and a special youth beaver trapping school. Montana’s mandatory wolf trapping course also covers proper pelt care. This is useful information for any trapper.

This fall and winter could be the time when fur prices—and the thrill of the catch—drive more trappers to head afield. Will you be joining them?

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