Mandatory Trapper
Education Program Now In Effect
ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) Wildlife & Heritage Service recently unveiled new education
requirements for anyone desiring to trap furbearers in Maryland. Effective
August 1, 2007 any person who is trapping or attempting to trap furbearers
(muskrat, beaver, raccoon, red and gray fox, opossum, mink, skunk, river
otter, fisher, long-tailed weasel and coyote) under the authority of a
Furbearer Permit must first obtain a Certificate of Trapper Education from
the Department unless the person held a Furbearer Permit during the
2006-2007 trapping season (prior to August 1, 2007).
“This new requirement ensures that trappers are aware of current best
management practices for furbearers,” said Paul Peditto, Director of DNR’s
Wildlife & Heritage Service. “It is imperative that current and future
trappers understand furbearer biology and management, and they maintain
ethical standards that are above reproach. The trapper education program
aims to achieve these goals.”
The trapper education course will be a self-study course followed by a
classroom session. All applicants must complete a student workbook, which
must be submitted prior to completing a written examination. Once the
applicant passes the exam, a Certificate of Trapper Education will be
awarded.
Applicants also have the option of completing the student workbook and
testing out without attending the classroom session. Testing out dates and
locations are set and instructors are presently planning classroom courses
for the fall. Information on the trapper education program, testing out
dates and locations, and future courses can be found at
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp/education/trappered.html.
