Trapper and hunter education classes coming up in southeast and east Idaho

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - Looking for a trapper, wolf trapper or hunter education course in southeast or east Idaho? Not sure which classes you or your upcoming hunters/trappers need? Idaho Fish and Game has got the answers to your questions.

Trapper Education Classes

Trapper Education covers trapping laws, safety, ethics, basic trapping methods and ways to avoid non-target catches. Already an experienced trapper?  You may still need the class.  As of July 2018, Idaho requires anyone who has not purchased a trapping license BEFORE July 2011 to complete a mandatory Trapper Education course.

There are two opportunities to get certified in southeast and eastern Idaho.

• Sat., February 4, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Idaho Fish and Game office, Pocatello 
• Sat., February 25, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Idaho Fish and Game office, Idaho Falls 
• Register online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education or by stop by any regional Fish and Game office for assistance.  The cost of the course is $9.75 per student. Seats are limited 
• Don’t live in the Pocatello or Idaho Falls area?  Idaho Fish and Game is working to provide some additional trapper education classes throughout southeast and east Idaho in the upcoming year; however, if you know you need this class, don’t wait!  A drive to take a one-day class is a small sacrifice to ensure you can trap this year… and for a lifetime.
• Please note this course will NOT allow a trapper to immediately begin trapping wolves.   Anyone intending to trap wolves must attend a wolf- trapper education class prior to purchasing wolf trapping tags. Therefore, anyone intending to trap wolves that did not hold an Idaho trapping license prior to July 2011 is required to take both trapper and wolf-trapper education.

Wolf Trapper Education Classes

Anyone intending to trap wolves in Idaho must attend wolf trapper education prior to buying wolf trapping tags.  These classes are taught by certified wolf-trapping instructors who travel from region to region to provide these one-day classes. Wolf trapper education covers wolf trapping regulations, ethics, and trapping methods. 

There are two opportunities to get wolf trapper education in this area.

• Sun., February 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Idaho Fish and Game office, Pocatello 
• Sat., March 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Idaho Fish and Game office, Idaho Falls 
• Anyone intending to trap wolves that did NOT hold an Idaho trapping license prior to 2011 is required to take BOTH trapper and wolf-trapper education.  So, if that applies to you, check for upcoming trapper education classes as well. 
• Register online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education or stop by any regional Fish and Game office for assistance.  The cost of the course is $9.75 per student.  Seats are limited. 
• Again, do not wait for a wolf trapper education course to come to you. These classes are taught only a couple of times a year in most regions.

Hunter Education Course

Offered to students ages 9 and older, these courses provide instruction on firearm handling and safety, hunting law and ethics, responsibilities towards landowners, hunting skills, wildlife identification, survival skills and first aid, and management and conservation.

There are instructor-led classes coming up in southeast and east Idaho.

• Find available classes and register online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education, or stop by any regional Fish and Game office for assistance.  The cost of the course is $9.75 per student. 
• Who needs Hunter Education?  Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, must either complete a hunter education course to purchase a hunting license, OR show proof of a previously held license in Idaho or another state. 
• Other classes will be added to the schedule over the coming year in locations throughout the Southeast Region.  So, please check the online schedule regularly to see added classes. 
• Don’t forget that Hunter Education can also be completed entirely online through https://www.hunter-ed.com/idaho/.  Cost of the online course is $32.50.  No field day required.

For more information about the trapper and hunter education programs in Idaho or specific classes in your area, please contact your nearest Fish and Game office.