Anybody that thinks a mandatory trappers Ed course will get antis off our backs is only fooling themself.

I’m on the fence about the whole deal.

If it covers the right subject material, and is taught by the right people, I’m pretty indifferent to the idea.

I took the “wolf trapping class” ten years ago (and I use the term ‘class’ loosely). It was a bloody joke and a complete waste of a day of my life. FWP could t even get it’s ducks in a straight enough row to answer questions regarding rules and regulation, even after conferring in the back of the room! And as far as practical wolf trapping information, nonexistent.

If this mandatory education class turns into that, I vehemently oppose it.

And Montana’s screwed.

They bought some time with this recent election cycle, but it’s not gonna hold.

The trend is what it is.

Nobody said it would get the anti s off our backs

Maybe not right here right now.

But I assure you it’s been said.

And it certainly sounds like that is what some of those on the thread are saying.

We have Hunters ed,we have drivers ed,we have concealed weapons courses,but some freak at the thought of Trapper Ed courses. "Your giving in to the antis",ridiculous.I guess we gave in to the anti s with Hunters ed too,right?Trapping has been around in this country since the mountain man days,that's over 170 years ago.Yet any suggestion on modernizing or updating anything somehow becomes an infringement on our rights." If it was good enough for grampa,it's good enough for me"seems to be the mentality.Well,gramps and co. Used equipment like No.14 new houses for coyote with a 3 to 7 day check.Go to your legislator and demand the right to use said equipment and the right to check whenever you want and see how far you get.Or the right to use 330's anywhere you want on public land.Why can't you ?Because trapping is political now days and we can't escape that.It's better we get with the program instead of trying to believe it's still the 1840's when we step outside.

That's correct. But the trapper will be blamed. The spin is this: If the trapper had not been trapping then the dog wouldn't have been caught... They never blame the dog or the dog's owner, it always falls back to the trapper... It doesn't matter if the dog was wandering miles away from home in some bean field or pasture it had no business being in.

I'm not against trapper's ed. But it won't keep the anti's or media off your back. Just the opposite... They'll spin it that you were instructed and knew better.

Mike

My point is dogs do what dogs do,,, people are the one's that are spose to be in charge .
In this day and age no matter if everything is done right and on private ground you catch a dog,, problems arrive.
What must be understood only thing anti's want is NO TRAPPING period. They really do not care how they get there.

Seriously the drivers ed analogy again. it's not MANDATORY in Michigan either. In my case none of your stuff is MANDATORY. The word you educators seem to want to avoid is "MANDATORY." .East of the Mississippi and north of the Mason Dixon line we understand freedom is not important to do-gooders. Carry on!

Took a couple of tickets from the local game warden to ingrain upon me the nuances of our trapping regs. A trappers' ed course back then would have saved me some $$$.

well hmmm. So animals have rights. And animal rights are equal to human rights. Even though trapping is only considered a privilege and not a right. But your dog has rights over the trapper? One of my favorite type of antis is the bird dog hunter. They like to say well I'm a hunter but these trappers have to go. I understand b bearcat you are not advocating division in the ranks. On the other hand loose running dogs and traps will never mix. Oil and water. Best case scenario to me is divided seasons. Thankfully hound hunting is not a big thing in Alaska.

"In my case"..... You live in Alaska,your laws and what you're allowed is in no way indicative of what we live here in the lower 48.There's a big difference in this state from where I live here in the U.P. Versus southern Michigan.Those examples I used,you may be able to get away with it up there,try it down here and you'll bring a world of hurt down on your head.The 1800's are long gone,they're not coming back.By the way,I used Hunters ed as an analogy too.

And by the way as a resident of Michigan for 59 years,I don't know where you got the idea drivers ed classes aren't mandatory

You only think it would.

I asked a question at the wolf trapping “class” ten years ago and got an ambiguous answer at best.

I’ve asked for clarification several times since and still haven’t received a clear cut answer.

I guess it’s one of those “cross that bridge when we get there” deals. See where the cards fall that particular day. Maybe I’d get in trouble, maybe not.

"Optional: Adult driver training is available if you choose to receive professional training. State certified driver education providers are regulated by the Department of State. Fees and policies vary."


op·tion·al
/ˈäpSH(ə)n(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: optional

available to be chosen but not obligatory.

"State of Michigan

I know that in some states, you get a discount on auto insurance if your kiddie has taken it. May not be mandatory everywhere but may save some $$ in the long run.

How? Do they teach reading comprehension in Trapper ed? Just giving a hard time Carl lol.

Feb 26, 2021

"“Guarded optimism” for the future

Roggenkamp did not hesitate when asked what his greatest concern is for trapping in the future.

“Declining numbers. Hands down,” he said."

Me too. Well thoughtout presentation with visual displays, pictures, demos, thorough explanations, hands on trap setting (if available) and all the time needed for students Q&A if there is an interest. 50 multiple question test. Lifetime Certification for that State and / or acceptable in other State as well. :-)

Exactly!