Anyone who purchased or will purchase their first Idaho trapping license on or after July 1, 2011, regardless of their age or if they have trapped in another state.

Starting July 1, 2018

The legislature made this law during spring 2017. The Department also informed trappers through the annual letter that reminds trappers to submit their furtaker harvest report card.

Regulated trapping can be controversial. Responsible trappers know when, where, and how to catch animals humanely and without harming non-target animals or being disruptive to the non-trapping public. Trapper education is designed to teach proper techniques so the next generation of trappers will be safe and responsible. Additionally, if all trappers behave ethically, there is less need to create complex trapping regulations.

Please check the trapper education course list at https://register-ed.com/programs/idaho, or the link under the Trapping Tab.

This course includes trapping laws, understanding regulated trapping, ethical trapping, responsible treatment of animals, techniques for avoiding non-target catches, basic trapping methods, fur handling, safety, and field demonstrations/exercises.

Class length varies slightly, but a typical class is about 8 hours, taught over 1-2 days.

No, we do not offer an online trapper education class.

Maybe. Having previously held a license in another state does not exempt anyone from the trapper education requirement. The Idaho trapper education course is unique to our state (rules and regulations, trap types, non-target species avoidance, etc.). However, if you have taken trapper education in another state, it may exempt you from taking the Idaho course. We accept certification of trapper education from 28 other states that have courses similar to ours. To find out if certification from another state applies to you, please contact a regional office.

Yes. Wolf trapper education is a separate course. All trappers purchasing their first Idaho trapping license after July 1, 2011, must take the standard trapper education course. Wolf trappers must also take or have taken the Idaho wolf trapper education course.

Since we have incomplete records of license purchases before 2000, you may not be in the database. In that case, you will have to take trapper education unless you can produce a copy of pre-2011 Idaho trapping licenses or other reasonable evidence that you held an Idaho trapping license before that time. However, given the length of time you have not trapped in Idaho, we recommend you take the trapping class in any case so you are familiar with changes in rules, best practices for avoiding bycatch, and other recent information you may not be familiar with.

Yes. Additionally, trapper education is not required for control measures pertaining to Idaho Code 36-1107.