Trapper education work group to meet June 29 in Missoula

MISSOULA — The group responsible for developing Montana’s new trapper education program is meeting Wednesday, June 29 in Missoula.

The meeting will run from 9a.m.-4p.m. at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office (3201 Spurgin Road). Members of the public are invited to attend. An opportunity for public input on the agenda items will be provided near the end of the meeting.

The Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 60 in 2021 to require a trapper education course for most people before they purchase a trapping license. The course will include instruction in trapping ethics, best practices, equipment, regulations, and how to avoid trapping non-target species. The main goal of the trapper education program is to impart the knowledge and skills to be an ethical, humane, responsible, legal, and safe trapper.

The work group includes three members of the public and three FWP employees. Wayde Cooperider, FWP’s outdoor skills and safety supervisor, is facilitating the work group through this process.

This is the group’s tenth meeting to plan for the new statewide education program. To find out more about the upcoming trapper education classes, requirements and how to register, visit: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/trapping.