Wolf trapping certification courses scheduled

Idaho rules require prospective wolf trappers to successfully complete a Wolf Trapper Certification course before they can purchase wolf trapping tags.

For those planning to trap wolves this winter, courses are scheduled over the next three months at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game offices throughout the state. All courses run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Two courses will be held in Coeur d'Alene Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Panhandle Regional Office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave.

The course includes 6.5 hours of instruction including both classroom and field experience. Advance registration is required, and participants can register at the regional office or online at http://bit.ly/1JVxm7D For more information, contact the respective Fish and Game office.

All courses are taught by experienced trappers, trained and certified to provide students with both classroom study and interactive, hands-on training. The courses cover a wide variety of topics including wolf biology, wolf behavior and management, wolf trapping techniques, proper care of a hide for maximum value and harvest reporting requirements. 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.

All instructors and assisting Fish and Game staff have expertise in furbearer management, trapping laws and ethics, responsible trapping, proper equipment and trapping techniques.

The registration fee is $8 per student. Those registering online by credit card will be charged an added convenience fee of $1.75. Registrants must be at least 9 years of age to take the course.

Students successfully completing the certification 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 class that is different from the Wolf Trapper Certification class. The general furbearer trapping class 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.