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Trapper Education
A trapper education course teaches participants how to responsibly trap furbearing animals and bears in Maine. This comprehensive course provides a foundation of knowledge and skills upon which to build. Topics covered in the 10-hour course include trapping ethics, proper trapping equipment, responsible trap setting, and the importance of sound wildlife management practices. (See course content below.)
Maine’s Trapping Education Courses are considered home study courses. Participants must complete the online module OR the workbook AND attend the in-person course which includes a short, written exam to successfully complete the course. Upon successful completion you will receive your Maine Trapper Education Certification Card.
Trapping Education Course
- Fur handling
- Tools of the trade
- Trap setting: Types of traps, trap setting, and best management practices
- Handling and releasing animals
- Trapping laws and regulations
- Landowner relations and trapping ethics
- Hands-on field exercises
- Use of exclusion devices
- Course includes the bear trapping module
New courses will be posted below as they become available.
Can't find a course for your area? Contact the Recreational Safety Division Office at (207) 287-5220
When registering online, please make sure that all fields are filled out completely and accurately.
Current Courses
| County | Location | Contact | Date/Time | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | Bethel - New England Trappers Weekend/National Trappers Association, North East Regional Convention | Paul Favolise - (207) 483-4779 or littleriverrat@outlook.com for questions/information | August 20, 8am-4pm |
|
| Kennebec | Windsor - Windsor Fairgrounds | Jasmine Pomerleau - (207) 441-3270 or Jasmine.A.Pomerleau@maine.gov for questions/information | September 07, 6pm-9pm (Zoom) & September 17, 8:00am-4:30pm | |
| Penobscot | Newport - RSU 19 - Nokomis High School | Suzanne Nowinski - (207) 368-3290 to register | August 27, 8am-3pm | |
| Washington | Princeton - Princeton Rod & Gun Club | Haleigh White - (207) 446-8051 or Haleigh.white@maine.gov for questions/information | August 27, 8am-5pm | |
| Aroostook | Caribou - Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center | Dan Robertson - (207) 592-9559 or acso208@gmail.com for questions/information | September 14, 6pm-9pm & October 02 8am-4pm |
Looking for the Black Bear Trapping Education course? Click here
This course is shorter and designed for those that wish only to trap black bear in Maine.