address

P. O. Box 82177
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708

Phone:

(907) 457-1774

Email:

info@alaskatrappers.org

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Trapper Education

TRAPPING IN TODAY’S WORLD

An educational video published by Fur Takers of America which explains why trapping is an integral part of wildlife management in the United States. Published on October 30, 2014 with permission gratefully granted by Fur Takers of America.

FUR-HANDLING WORKSHOP

Learn from a furbuyer and his right-hand man. They will explain how to handle your fur from the time you take it out of the trap until you hand it over to the buyer. Learn both the basics of fur handling, as well as the little tricks that will bring that extra $10 per pelt. Learn how to maximize the value of your pelt and minimize the defects.

GENERAL TRAPPING SCHOOLS

Two general trapping schools are held each season. The Interior school is taught out of Fairbanks and is typically held the third weekend of October while the SouthCentral chapter is usually the following weekend in Chugiak. Course content includes how to trap interior Alaska’s furbearers, preparation, techniques, fur handling, survival and a strong emphasis on trapping ethics and the law. Tuition includes overnight accommodations and meals.

Trapping Class Schedule

Class Schedule – Times are approximate

  • Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Hot breakfast served 7:00 – 8:00
    • Morning break 10:00
    • Lunch 12:30 – 1:30
    • Afternoon break 3:00
    • Dinner served 6:00
    • Socializing until 10:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Big hot breakfast served 7:00 – 8:00
    • Morning break 10:00
    • Lunch 12:30 – 1:30
    • Class photo 2:00
    • Afternoon break 3:00
    • Finish class around 5:00 p.m.
  • Bring a sleeping bag and pillow for the weekend. Mattresses are in classroom.
  • Bring appropriate clothing for cold weather, pen and paper for note-taking, and a good appetite
  • Family members: Child registrations are $75. Children 12 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

WOLF TRAPPING SCHOOL

Our wolf trapping school is typically held in late January/early February. This school is a two-day, overnight event running from early Saturday morning till late Sunday afternoon. As of 2007, we have begun alternating locations for the class. In even-numbered years, the school will be held in the Interior. In odd-numbered years, it will be held in South-Central. Alaska’s best wolf trappers are brought together to teach this class. Course instruction covers field gear, snares, traps, pelt handling, techniques including proven tricks-of-the-trade, and ethics. Tips and information, too numerous to detail, which are needed to ensure your becoming a successful wolf trapper. Tuition includes overnight accommodations and meals. For availability of schools conducted in bush locations please contact ATA for details.

See also: ATA Wolf Trapping Manual & DVD

SNARE BUILDING SCHOOL

Our snare building school is a one-day event providing hands-on training in making snares. Students learn how to purchase supplies and build snares. Students build and keep some of each of the following types of snares: fox, beaver, and wolf. They also learn how to properly use snares including anchoring techniques and ethics. Tuition includes snare-building materials. Offered on an as demand warrants basis. Contact ATA for details.

Breakaway Wolf Snares

In Alaska, snares which were intended to catch wolves can sometimes catch other species. For many years, trappers have been devising techniques to minimize this problem. In recent years, Craig Gardner (Fairbanks office of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game) has spent countless hours developing a snare for this purpose. This new snare system incorporates two modifications:

  1. so-called ‘diverter wires’ which discourage a large ungulate from getting its head in the snare loop, and
  2. a ‘break-away’ device inside the snare loop which separates when force of a certain magnitude is applied.

These new developments will both prevent most large ungulates from getting caught and also release those few that do get caught.

ATA supports use of this snare by wolf trappers who operate in areas where large ungulates also occur. The accompanying display represents a brochure developed by ADF&G and ATA to promote use of Gardner’s snare system.

SHARED TRAIL USE SEMINARS

As a service to the general public we also offer seminars on an as requested basis to help promote shared use of trails. We instruct users on how to determine if a trail is also a trapline, how to avoid accidental pet catches and how to safely release a pet that is accidentally caught. These seminars are free.