Trapper Education
The NH Trappers Association maintains an active role in the education and propagation of modern trapping practices. In order for trapping to remain relevant on the landscape and continue to be widely accepted, we believe proper education in the handling of modern traps, biology of species, familiarity with all state regulated laws, seasons, and rules, as well as proper conveyance of the activity must be maintained.
Since 2018, volunteer trapper education instructors have donated over 500 hours of personal time. For every hour donated, the NH Fish & Game Department receives reimbursement at a three hour rate of time; for a total of 1500 hours.
The demand for Trapper Education certification classes remains very high, and we continue working with the Department to ensure this important program continues to thrive.
The NHTA and its members work in partnership with the NH Fish & Game Department to administer mandatory trapper education certification for new students looking to harvest fur-bearing species by way of traps. Our membership also proudly works with both the NH Fish & Game and USDA-APHIS to administer advanced programs such as the Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) level II certification and the advanced Animal Damage Control (ADC) snaring course. Any individual looking to conduct commercial wildlife control business in the state must pass a NHFG-sanctioned Trapper Education course to become eligible, in addition to attending a formal WCO-2 certification class or maintaining certification through the NWCOA to round out the prerequisites. Any individual looking to conduct seasonal fur trapping activities or maintain WCO-1 certification must pass a Trapper Education course. The NH Trappers Association proudly remains active in these integral education programs.
The NHTA also works closely in partnership with both the NH Wildlife Federation and the Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW) program to offer advanced trapper education seminars and courses for women interested in the craft of fur trapping.
In addition to state-appointed classes, the NHTA has also taken it upon ourselves to offer “Advanced” Trapper Classes in which certified students and members can dive deeper into the “nuts & bolts” of sustainable regulated trapping practices. These advanced classes continue to grow as we establish demand for such.
The NHTA proudly offers these advanced trapper education demonstrations and seminars at many NHTA-sponsored events; most notably our annual Fall Rendezvous. These demonstrations go further in depth on topics surrounding traps, trapping, fur handling, conservation laws and ethics, and more.
The NHTA continues to work extensively to offer advanced classes and seminars at other events and opportunities throughout the year. Visit our Calendar of Events page to review the latest education event opportunities.
Check out our calendar (or our Events page) for specific NH trapper education classes featuring NHTA volunteer instructors.
*Note: While the NHTA often organizes and endorses our own “advanced” trapper education classes, seminars, and demonstrations for trappers; anyone wishing to legally trap in NH must complete a formal trapper education class sanctioned by the NH Fish & Game Department. While the NHTA works closely with the NH Fish & Game Department on class content and instructors, a formal certification class is ultimately the sole responsibility and under the purview of the NH Fish & Game Department, not the NHTA.
The Latest Trapper Education updates:
