I really just want trap. Any thing from beaver to coyote. I want to be able to position myself to where I can be the most versatile trapper possible. My goal is to be as dynamic as possible, if someone wants to better manage their property (remove predators and nest raiders) I wanna be an asset to that person. If a rancher wants to eliminate coyote in the spring to protect newborn livestock. I wanna be that asset. If someone has otters in their catfish ponds i wanna take that call. I have found that trapping has quickly become a passion and I wanna figure out a way to do it any and all the time.
There are probably good canine trappers in Alabama that give instruction, ask J trapper on here.
If you are looking to take instructions on canines, Matt Jones is one I would call and he is in your part of the country. To learn more about trapping problem animals I would surely call Wayne Derrick. Mark Zagger can get it done East or West on coyotes. He runs Coyote U. Good coyote man.
Another good one if you want to learn predator control, is Craig O'Gorman. I have two or more friends that took instruction from him and love the guy. Very knowledgable.
For all around trapping I would suggest the Fur Takers College as probably a good bet.
I am not aware of anyone advertising giving instruction in the water anymore, at least that advertise. Back in the glory days there were guys all over the country teaching, not so much anymore. Jeff French out of the upper Adirondacks does some lessons. His speciality is mink, and he is real good.
If I were looking for raccoon instructions I would hit up Matt Jones, he is in the East and can get it done. (Come to think of it Matt is offering coon instructions this coming season, be ready to put in some long days). Red O'Hearn if I wanted to go West at all. Red O'Hearn is a very good water guy (coon, mink and beaver) but I do not think he advertises instructions. A wealth of knowledge. Worth a try and he would be my pick if I had to go West.
But again, you look around I bet you can find someone. There is probably some really good beaver men around that would sell instructions. Beaver control work is a all together different game than fur trapping, believe that. Not saying you could not do instructions with a good beaver fur trapper but you will need control trapping expertise to do what you are talking about.
A guy that does not advertise for instructions any more but would be good for what you are talking about on coyotes and beaver is Clint Locklear. But you can always ask.
Another guy with a lot of control experience is LT Grey. He offers personal instructions I think. LT is an expert on snaring as well.
Don Shumaker does not advertise but I am pretty sure he does some private instruction on coyotes. Old school, and darned good.
The otter DVD mentioned above is about as good as it gets. There are a couple other good ones.
One thing I have done is find out who is catching what you are interested in and approach them for instruction. Have been turned down a lot of times but have ended up with some pretty good instructions other times.
Another thing to keep in mind is this. If possible you need to get any instructor to cover the business end of the game as well. That part will make or break you.
Do your homework. There are some pretty darn good trappers that do not advertise but will offer instructions at times if asked.
Good luck.
I did not mention the Phillup boys because they do not advertise. I suspect they are busy but it may it may pay to contact them. Don't recognize some of the other names.
Jackie aka j trapper is an excellent trapper but again I do not think he gives instruction. He certainly could. I mentioned a lot of good guys above. For your neck of the woods I would say it would be pretty hard to beat learning from Matt Jones. Matt is the real deal and he is a worker. I personally would not go West unless you were going to visit and learn from Wayne Derrick. Different game out there than it is here. You can read all the advertisements about Western schools but the West is not the East. Just so different. Derrick would be the man to teach you ADC methods. Someday before I croak I am going to him for some instruction.
