I went to Colo. State U. in 1975. The wildlife extension agent there was a guy named Major Boddicker. Maybe there's a few folks still alive who remembers him. I bet Paul does. He did a trapper education course through the Univ. That's how I got interested in trapping. No parents or other relatives had been trapping. I have been a trapper, buying a trapping license every year since. Old people in Alaska get a free, lifetime Hunt, Trap, Fish license at 65.
I have a nephew in Helena Mt. I was planning to teach him about trapping this coming Nov. He was raised by my far left sister but he and his wife are good conservatives. Told them to get a trapping license so we could set some traps/snares while I'm there. Here's what you have to do to get a RESIDENT trapping license in Mt.:
Education or Experience Prerequisite: First-time adult and youth trappers (12 and older) must complete the official Montana Trapper Education course (online module via Today's Trapper, followed by an in-person field day and written test.
Obviously current license holders have worked to make it as difficult as possible for newbys to get a license. The "in person" field day is only offered only in certain locations and takes a full day. I guess there are a large number of Montanans who just can't be trusted using traps so the state has made it as difficult as possible to get a license. Montana doesn't have non-res trapping licenses.
By comparison, my state, Alaska, where you could literally freeze to death when your out trapping, only requires a 160 dollar license good for a full year.
I see Idaho requires an in person 8 hour class room course. Seems a bit much to me. As I said before, make it hard to get a license and keep the competition low!
Utah as well, instructor led field day. Wyoming just requires the non residents state to allow non resident trapping.
Maybe you lower 48 guys should all get together and tell the world new trappers aren't welcome..........resident or otherwise.

That is an iconic name that everyone should know! I think of him every time I see an Ithaca Mag 10................

Years ago the state of Alaska was having trouble regulating commercial fishing. Their solution was "Limited Entry". The state set a finite number of commercial permits and once those were all taken there were no more . You had to buy, inherit, etc. to get a commercial permit.
Maybe thats" what you guys in states who are PRETENDING to want more trappers should do. Of course your state could make a person jump through all the hoops you have now before they buy a license from a retiree or whoever.

That is an iconic name that everyone should know! I think of him every time I see an Ithaca Mag 10................



Old Moosedick!!

Shame on Montana!

Winner, winner! Chicken dinner!

I bet you're gonna get some flack for this post, lol. I have always been against mandatory trapper education, but over the past 30-40 years there's been a HUGE push to mandate it in most states down here! Years ago when I served on the board of my state association, pretty much all the board members thought our mandatory trappers ed was the best thing since sliced bread! BUT, where I lived the nearest course was nearly 2 hours away and only offered ONE weekend a year and if you missed that one, you'd have to drive 4 hours or so to the next nearest one. Not the easiest thing to accomplish for a 12 year old son of a -single working mom, for example.

When I fussed about it, the then-president suggested I become an instructor. So I thought ok.... maybe my husband and I both can..... so I looked into it and found out we would have to take many hours of instruction first, which would of resulted in us both having to take off multiple days of work several times over the course of a few months.... not to mention driving all over the state!!

People can sing the praises of mandatory trapper ed all they want.... you'll never convince me that it does not prevent a LOT of young folk from ever becoming trappers...... especially the way it is ran in many states!

Boddicker is well known by the knowledgeable LOL

I use his salted sand and baggie method for coyote trapping no more remakes due to weather and no frozen sets EVER.

Try getting a license in Wisconsin

I hear where you're coming from........

We need it in WI. I took it as an adult and I enjoyed it. I learned quite a few things. The instructors were really good and one was well known all over WI.

I took the Trapper Ed course in NY in 1979. It was a day in a classroom and a day outside behind the building. It was a bit much for a 13 year old kid with working parents but a whole lot easier than trying to get a pistol permit these days.

Please explain.

I can see good and bad in the trapping ed courses.Yes it can be a pain.I never had to take it as a kid but had my stepfather to show me all about trapping.After attending it with my wife and grandkids when they had to I see where a lot of kids did not have those mentors to show them and really needed the class.

Iowa is not mandatory, nor should it be. However the ITA, in conjunction with the DNR put on beginner trapping classes several times a summer in different locations around the state. This program has grown and continues to expand to more locations every year. Run by volunteers and attended by those who want to come. Just as it should be.

Arkansas has free resident trappers permit if you have a hunting license. Free year round private land trapping permit, also

From 2016 to 2020 over 5000 trapping licenses were sold in Montana each year. In 2021 that dropped to 4000 plus. 2022 was the first year the 8 hour field test was required.. Since 2022 trapping license sales dropped to just over 3000. Congratulations Montana Trappers Assoc.! Dropped the competition by well over 1000!
I assume the courses required to get a license is a one time thing. Probably grandfathered previously licensed trappers. So the majority of licensed trappers in Montana never took the testing. What a crock!

Apparently the field day course is a one time thing this year. Held in Missoula and only 20 spots available. I just can't wrap my head around the idea of purposely putting road blocks up to PREVENT new trappers from being licensed.

When you can’t ban something outright, you make doing it so unappealing that nobody wants to do it.

Take getting a handgun in Maryland for instance. You have to take 3 classes @ an average cost of $300. Then after you pass and get your permission slip take it to a dealer and purchase your gun, then take it to the MSP and register it with them. Lots of folks doing it but it’s probably only a fraction of individuals who would like to own a handgun.

Simple fact is they could put non-resident trappers on draw system like the hunting. Non-residents can pose a management problem if you have a high value product and there is lots of demand for that product. I think most western States have wildlife that most eastern people want to harvest and allocation issues have to be addressed in order to protect the residents and the resource.

Kansas offers an online course. Its free and I'm fine with it. Be very rare for a kid today to have no internet access.