Bozeman Magazine

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a trapper education field day in Bozeman on Saturday, Nov. 19.  

The field day will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 5:30 p.m. at FWP’s Bozeman office, 1400 S. 19th Ave. Students must register for the field day in advance by visiting register-ed.com/events/view/187564. Students must also complete the free online education course prior to the field day by visiting fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/trapping.  

The 2021 Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 60, which requires trappers to pass the education course if they have not purchased a trapping license for at least three previous seasons.  

Trappers who have purchased a trapping license 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 a wolf trapper education course but haven’t been a licensed trapper for three years will need to complete the full trapper education course to be able to trap wolves in 2022 and beyond.  

Montana’s Trapper Education program includes online coursework and a mandatory field day, where students can learn from experienced trappers about trapping ethics, 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.  

For more information, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/trapping.