FWP News: MANDATORY TRAPPER EDUCATION FIELD DAY SET FOR BILLINGS AREA
By angelamontana

Posted: August 18, 2022

HELENA – A trapper education certification field day will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Billings office, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The prerequisite online education course is available for people looking to get into trapping. The mandatory course is free and can be accessed on FWP’s website.

The certification program includes online course work and a mandatory field day where new trappers can learn from experienced trappers about trapping ethics, humane techniques, avoidance of non-target species, fur management and safety. This course also includes the mandatory wolf trapper certification for anyone looking to also trap wolves.

During the 2021 legislative session, Senate Bill 60 passed, which requires trapper education for all trappers who have not been a licensed trapper for at least three previous seasons.

Trappers who have been licensed trappers for three previous seasons will be asked to list that experience when purchasing a license. All other trappers age 12 and older will need to take the trapper education course before purchasing a license. Wolf trappers who have taken the wolf trapper education course, but haven’t been a licensed trapper for three years, will need to complete the trapper education course to be able to trap wolves in 2022 and beyond.

For people who are interested in going through the course curriculum in hard-copy format, call or email Wayde Cooperider, 406-444-9947 or wacooperider@mt.gov.

For more information, on upcoming field days, please go to https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/trapping.

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