Successful completion of trapper education training will be required to purchase an Idaho trapping license for the 2018-2019 trapping season which began July 1, 2018. The requirement can be met by certification through completion of Idaho Fish and Game’s trapper education course. Trappers who purchased an Idaho trapping license prior to 2011 are exempted from the new requirement.
A large number of people will need this class to continue or to begin trapping. If you are not exempted from this requirement, you are encouraged to sign-up for one of the currently available classes to avoid a potential last minute rush.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has a trapper education course in the Bonners Ferry area on July 22 at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Space is limited and registration is required. Registration can be completed on the IDFG website, fishandgame.idaho.gov. The cost for the course is $8 per registrant. Online registration requires an additional credit card convenience fee of $1.24. Registration can also be made at any IDFG office using cash, check, or debit card. There is no convenience fee charged when registering at IDFG offices. Trappers and potential trappers are very strongly encouraged to take this class as soon as possible. While July, 2018 may sound like a long time away, the demand for classes will be very high as the deadline approaches. Even with numerous classes planned, waiting to take the training may make it difficult to find a spot in a class that is compatible with your personal schedule.
The goal of trapper education classes is to promote safe and ethical trapping, to minimize incidents of non-target catches, and to minimize impacts of trapping activity on other recreationists.