Interested in wolf trapping? Required course available in Coeur d'Alene

November 9, 2015

Idaho rules require a Wolf Trapper Certification course be completed and passed before a person can purchase wolf trapping tags. For those planning to trap wolves this winter, two courses are scheduled in Coeur d' Alene, on November 20 and 21, at Fish and Game's Panhandle regional office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave. Both courses run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Advanced registration is required. Participants can register at the Panhandle regional office or online at http://register-ed.com/programs/idaho/148-wolf-trapper-instructor-led-course. The course fee is due at the time of registration. Registering at a Fish and Game office costs $8. Online registration by credit card requires an added convenience fee of $1.75. Registrants must be at least 9 years of age to take the course. For more information, contact the Panhandle office at 208-769-1414. The course includes 6.5 hours of instruction including both classroom and field experiences. Instructors are experienced trappers who are trained and certified to provide students with both classroom study and interactive, hands-on training. Course topics cover a wide variety of topics related to wolf biology, wolf behavior and management as well as specifics regarding wolf trapping. Instructors and Fish and Game staff leading the class have expertise in furbearer management, trapping laws and ethics, responsible trapping, proper equipment and trapping techniques. On-site demonstrations in the field include making trap sets free of human scent, rigging snares, placing diverters to avoid non-target catches, and trap site selection. Proper care of a hide for maximum value and harvest reporting requirements are covered as well. Students successfully completing the wolf trapping course receive an Idaho Wolf Trapper Certification Card that enables them to purchase wolf trapping tags. Certified wolf trappers may purchase up to five gray wolf trapping tags per trapping season. Fish and Game also offers a general furbearer trapping course that is different from the Wolf Trapper Certification course. The general furbearer trapping course does not qualify people for the purchase of wolf trapping tags. When registering, please be certain to sign up for the course you actually want to take.