History questions? Huh.

Not to worry, TD1. We have a special version of the test just for Iowa residents. Comes with a box of crayons.

We have been through this before, it is very involved for what it is. The "online" class is not truly online, the in person class is multiple weekends, I have not tried the mail option.
After reading the above responses to mandatory training - do you feel like Wisconsin is encouraging others to come there to trap? I appreciate the effort and thought that went into the content and I get that you don't want jackwagons making trappers look bad but should the history of trapping in Wisconsin or what animals are commonly eaten be a required test subject to obtain a license?
If it was a normal online test or a 1 day in person class, I would love to spend money in your state and add to your associations membership.[/quote]

I'm not sure what you refer to as a "normal" online test?

Wisconsin has several options available to interested individuals in completing the required trapper ed course to obtain a trapper's license in Wisconsin. Wisconsin offers in-person, online, or correspondence courses to both resident and out-of-state individuals, same courses of study for both licensees. In person courses can be completed in a weekend depending on the schedule of the volunteer instructor. For online and correspondence courses contact Mr. Widner at trappereducation@ yahoo.com for specific course requirements. I can give you his contact phone number in a DM.

Wisconsin used to have a far more intense course; but, over the years the course hours have been shortened significantly based on participant feedback over the years. I know that when I took the course years ago as a non-trapper, I was happy to attend multiple evenings due to the vast amount of information being presented, ie. information overload.

Wisconsin previously accepted out of state trapper education; but violation statistics showed that was more problematic than the residential program statistics and Wisconsin now requires taking the state trapper ed course for all new trappers to the state, both resident and out-of-state. The result has been a reduction in violation statistics comparable to the resident statistics.

And not sorry, that the instruction is steered toward the inexperienced to have an understanding of heritage, ethics, regulations, fur handling, and full utilization of the animal (fur isn't the only thing the animal is good for). Is it boring for an experienced trapper, maybe; but statistics don't lie either. It's also the same course that ADC contractors need to take to trap in Wisconsin. There is always something to be learned, if you have an open mind!

When I was in NY I worked on the trapper training course and taught it for years. At the time we were under a lot of pressure from the wackos. The training didn't satisfy them, it took some pressure off the politicians and there is still trapping in NY. As far as trapping in other states, I trapped in several places with some good friends, sometimes I even made money!?

It was just an observation, No need to be a douche bag about it.

Apologies for the douche baggery.

Apology accepted.

…. I can’t get behind this apology nonsense

… ya’ll start long runnin fued or somethin lol

Martentrapper, I understand your frustration with the inconvenience of the required course. But I disagree with your assertions about the states motives for requiring it. Hunter education is required in all 50 states. Trapping education is required in 21 and offered in 35 states. Mandatory education courses are increasing yearly across the country.

In Utah, you have to take an aquatic invasive species course before you can register your boat. In Utah, you also have to take a free angler gathering ethics course to do that, an extended archery season ethics course for that, a bear hunting or bison hunting orientation course for those.

The mandatory education courses across the country are a means to educate people about wildlife conservation issues and to try to keep people from doing really stupid stuff and causing anti hunting, trapping and fishing political problems.

I get frustrated whenever I have to jump through one of their hoops too. But whether we like them or not education courses serve a purpose and are not going away.

Things requiring such education by the government will quietly die off.

That is pretty convenient for the guys on the East side of the state. I drank a LOT of beer in Missoula 35 years ago but it sure isn't the same anymore.

It is amazing what some think need to be done to catch a animal.
Bless their hearts.

Having a training course is one thing. Having a course that PREVENTS people from accessing it is another. It's easier and cheaper for a non res to get a Mt. license than it is a resident.
It appears that many state trappers Associations are doing their best to keep getting a license as difficult as possible, for both resident and non resident.

Yup have to agree, just about anyone can catch any animal. Question is: Can they do it in an ethical and legal manner without jeopardizing public and domestic animal safety and putting an undue bad light on the rest of the trapping community that makes every attempt to carry out their craft responsibly? Or would a few hours of education be helpful?

Perhaps the people that need to take the course and obtain a license are pet owners and trail walkers. I’m betting that those license sales would be a whole lot more funds in the coffers than hunting and trapping license sales.

Good point, HT. A few hours of education would be helpful to these folks,

Alaska Trapper’s Association puts on Shared Trails seminars several times a year across the state teaching non trappers about trapping and how to free a pet from different kinds of traps.

2026 Nonresident Trapper's Reciprocity Affidavit

Don't forget to fill out one of these and get it notarized.

Montana Nonresident Reciprocity Affidavit

" Submit documentation that the applicant's state of residence issues nonresident trapping licenses
that allow Montana residents to trap the same species for which the person seeks to trap in
Montana. OR
• Attest on this affidavit that the person's state of residence does not offer reciprocity for trapping
fur-bearing species the person seeks to trap in Montana because the species does not exist in the
resident state; AND"

I can't begin to wrap my head around putting road blocks, trapper ed. up for new trappers to be required to take. Maybe an online course that takes a couple hours. Expecting new guy/gals to take an in person test that some SUPPOSEDLY trained guy gives and then gets to decide if your WORTHY of getting a license is stupid. It's not the anti's that are our worst enemy. It's you trapper assoc. guys that want to keep new trappers to a minimum. What a selfish bunch of ?&%#holes!
Hunter Ed is different since we are talking about using a weapon that can injure/kill another person.
Dan, Utah exempts people born before 1984. Anyone born in the late 80s is now 35 or older. You telling me that a middle aged guy/gal isn't mature enough to take an online test and be trusted to trap in Utah? I didn't dig deep into the Utah test but I assume there's an in person day? You really support that?
I can get that Mt. non res license for 250 bucks and an affidavit I have an Alaska license. Any Mt. res has do online training and in person that is only offered once a year and only, at least this year, in Missoula. I hope anyone reading this in Montana that isn't a member, doesn't join the MTA. Selfish bunch of............!

Us selfish bunch of ?&%#holes here in Wisconsin have a couple of alternatives for the newbies . . . lighten up, Francis.

Supervised & Mentored Trapping Programs

Youth Supervised Trapping
• Youth under age 16 may trap without a license under the supervision of a licensed trapper, even if the youth has not completed trapper education.
Note: youth that are trapping under supervision may apply for and purchase bobcat, fisher and otter trapping permits.
• The supervised youth is not required to tag traps that they use while under supervision.
• Youths under age 16 that wish to trap alone must complete trapper education, purchase a trapping license and tag their traps with metal tags.

Mentored Trapping Program
• Mentored trapping license: $10
• Youth under age 16 do not need a license to trap with a mentor; see youth supervised trapping above.
• Anyone age 16 and older who wishes to trap in Wisconsin and who has not completed trapper education must possess a valid mentored trapping license and trap with a mentor.
• A mentee may only receive two mentored trapping licenses per lifetime. Each trapping license is valid for one trapping season.
• A mentee holding a mentored trapping license may not receive a fisher or otter harvest tag, but may assist the mentor in trapping these species.
• A mentee holding a mentored trapping license may still apply for and receive a bobcat harvest tag if hunting bobcat (in which case a small game hunting license must also be purchased).
• A mentee may apply for bobcat, fisher or otter preference points while holding a mentored trapping license. However, if the mentee applies for the drawing for one of these species and is awarded a permit, the mentee must complete trapper education and purchase a regular trapping license prior to the start of the season before they may trap under the authority of the awarded permit.
• If using the same traps, both the mentor and mentee must tag the traps with a metal tag stamped with the name/address or customer ID. This does not apply if the mentee is under age 16. If the mentee alone tags the traps, then the mentee and mentor shall operate the traps only when both mentor and mentee are present.
• The mentor must be 18 or older and be the parent/guardian or authorized by the parent/ guardian if the mentee is under 18. The mentor must remain in contact with the mentee and must hold a current valid trapping license or be exempt from this requirement.
• The mentor can take more than one person trapping provided the mentor can safely and adequately serve as mentor for all mentees.