Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will conduct a complimentary field day for Trapper Education students in Great Falls on May 10th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event is a component of the Trapper Education program, which comprises online coursework and an in-person field day. Participation is mandatory for residents aged 12 and older who wish to acquire a Class C trapping license, particularly if they have not held a trapping license in the previous three years. This course fulfills the educational requirements for individuals seeking to trap wolves.
The field days will be led by proficient volunteer instructors who provide essential hands-on experience with trapping equipment, alongside vital instruction on safety, laws, regulations, ethics, fur handling, and additional relevant topics. Participants must complete the online coursework prior to registering for the field day. Throughout the year, additional field days will be offered across the state, and it is advisable for students to register promptly, especially before October 1, as numerous instructors will be occupied with active trapping during the fall and winter seasons.
The Trapper Education curriculum encompasses safe trap handling, wildlife management, game identification, trapper ethics, and regulations pertaining to trapping in Montana. Residents who aspire to purchase a Class C trapping license must either complete the education course or demonstrate possession of a trapping license within the past three years. Youth between the ages of 6 and 11 may obtain a Class C-3 trapping license, which does not necessitate completion of the trapper education course and imposes restrictions on the animals that may be trapped.
Individuals seeking a license to trap fur-bearing species must fulfill specific prerequisites, including the submission of a notarized affidavit verifying their legal residency and ensuring that their state of residence offers reciprocity for trapping the same species in Montana. The online course is made available for individuals aged 11 and older, and successful completion of both the online course and the in-person field day is requisite for obtaining a Class C trapping license.
Wolf trapper education is mandatory for all individuals engaging in wolf trapping within Montana. Participants must either complete the general trapper education course, which integrates wolf trapper education into its curriculum or pursue a standalone wolf trapper education course, provided they have held a trapping license for three consecutive seasons before 2022. Non-residents are required to complete a one-time wolf trapper education course in either Montana or Idaho, with all such courses being provided free of charge and conducted virtually.
Topics addressed in the wolf trapper education courses include the ethics and regulations governing trapping, techniques for avoiding non-target species, the historical and current status of wolves in Montana, strategies for effective wolf management, and the role of trapping in the conservation of wildlife.
For more information about Hunter, Bowhunter, and Trapper Education in Montana, please visit https://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter-education
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
