Trapper Education courses

You must complete Trapper Education in order to apply for a Trap Registration certificate.

In Massachusetts, Trapper Education is mandatory to apply for a Trap Registration Certificate. Anyone who wants to set traps on someone else’s property must identify and register those traps. Therefore, a MassWildlife trap registration certificate is required. The certificate includes a registration number (a four-digit alpha numeric) that must be embedded/stamped on each trap you own and use.

In Trapper Education, students receive instruction on best management practices for trapping furbearers, the proper use of traps, the identification of fur bearing animals and their habitats, trapping laws, ethical trapping behavior, and landowner relations.

Trapper Education can be completed online or in-person. In-person opportunities are offered in the early Spring and early Fall each year.

All courses are free of charge and open to the public. 

Table of Contents

Trapper Education: In-Person

Location Dates & Times Status
Spencer Fish & Game Club
155 Mechanic Street
SPENCER
Driving directions
Accessible building

2 sessions required
Wed., March 13: 6pm–9:30pm
Sat., March 23: 8am–4:30pm

COURSE STARTED
Enrollment is closed

Sign up to be notified when the future in-person Trapper Education courses open for enrollment and scroll down to read about the online option.

Trapper Education: Online

 

Successful completion of the Association of Fisheries and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) free, online, self-paced North American Trapper Education course is recognized for the purpose of applying for a Trap Registration Certificate.

  1. Visit https://conservationlearning.org/
  2. Click on the green "Login / Create Account" button.
  3. Click on the "Create new account" button.
  4. Follow the steps to create your account, making sure to provide your full, legal name and valid email address. Don't forget to record the username and password you create.
  5. An email will be sent to you to complete your registration. If you do not see it in your inbox, check your Junk/Spam folder.
  6. From that email, follow the instructions to enroll in the free North American Trapper Education course.
  7. Work at your own pace to complete each section and associated quiz.
  8. Once the entire online course is complete, you will receive a Trapper Education certificate of completion. This certificate is recognized for the purpose of applying for a trap registration certificate which is required if you wish to trap on land you do not own. Learn more.

Resources

Additional Resources

Contact   for Trapper Education courses

Address

MassWildlife Field Headquarters
1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581

Bailey and Hancock Traps

The in-person Massachusetts Trapper Education course includes the training required to use Bailey and Hancock traps. If you have already completed Trapper Education online or through another jurisdiction, but specifically wish to use Bailey and Hancock traps, please contact the Hunter Education Program at hunter.education@mass.gov

Special accommodations

If you have a disability or a medical condition and you would like to request special accommodations, or if you speak a language other than English and you would like to request an interpreter, please email Hunter.Education@mass.gov or call the Hunter Education Program at (508) 389-7820 and press zero to speak with an attendant.

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