Trapper Education - Augusta

Maine’s trapper education course provides a foundation of knowledge to ensure that today’s trappers are well educated, responsible, and ethical conservationists. The course includes instruction on the benefits of regulated trapping, proper trapping equipment and use, responsible trap setting, the importance of good wildlife management practices, and habits and traits of furbearers. Classes include classroom and hand-on portions based on availability per location.

Maine’s Trapping Courses are all in person home study courses that require students to do a portion at home prior to attending the 1-day in person course. This allows students to do course work at home at their own pace, which better meets the needs of today’s busy families and individuals. It also prepares them with a solid foundation of knowledge which is more efficient for the instructors and course delivery. Upon registration, you will be asked for your preferred method of pre-work study options - whether online or by printed study materials (details about each below).

Course Modules:

• Intro to Trapping
• Tools of the trade-types of traps and equipment
• Land and Water Sets
• Trap Setting
• Laws and Regs
• Furbearers and Fur Handling
• Laws, Ethics, and Landowner Relations
• Bear Trapping Unit
• Exclusion Devices and Canada Lynx Protections
• Final Assessment

Current trapping laws found here: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/25-MDIFW-19-TRAPPING-LAWBOOK-2025-26-final.pdf.

Trapper Education courses are open to anyone over the age of 10. Participants under 16 require an adult in attendance.

Student Pre-work Study Options:

Option I: Paper Workbook and Manual:

We use the “North American Trapper Workbook with the Student Manual” dated 2022. This complies with the new trapper education standards developed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) (formerly IAFWA), and the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA.) It is consistent with the online AFWA course platform in scope and content.

The manual is complemented by the 34-page workbook. The workbook has 18 Units that require fill in the blank type Q and A.

Duration or time spent varies per student but averages about 5-6 hours to read the manual and complete the workbook portion.

Option II: Online Course:

For today’s tech savvy students, the online option serves as a valuable way to connect with a broader audience of learners

You can log into to complete “The North American Basic Trapper Course” online (you will need to create an account). Once complete please print completed voucher (or save to phone) to show on class day.

The online content closely follows the Student Manual and Workbook.

TICKETS CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED OR SOLD. TO CANCEL PLEASE CALL 207-287-5220 OR EMAIL AND THE TICKETS WILL BE REDISTRIBUTED

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The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry, or national origin.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and our partners are fully committed to providing an engaging event for all. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact 207-287-5220 or at least 7 days prior to the course. If you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out! We are here to help and look forward to talking with you.

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Host or Publisher Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife