The Montana Trappers Education Program (MTEP) was started by the Association in 1980.  Using funds from the MTA Annual Raffle and Auction, a student training manual and instructor guide was developed.  With this in place and with the help of the NTA, an instructor certification program was established and 22 instructors were certified.  In 1988 an Education Committee was appointed by the MTA Board of Directors.  The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) initiated correspondence in 1992 with the MTA to discuss financial assistance for the program.  Due to the high cost of implementing the program, purchase of education material and travel expenses for the 22 instructors, the MTEP had limited success.  In 1993, the MTA received funding from MFWP.  This funding was in the form of Pitman-Robertson dollars which support education for hunting, fishing, bow hunting and now trapping.  To receive this funding, the MTA must contribute matching funds calculated by volunteer in-kind.  This in-kind is calculated by putting a dollar figure on the hours and miles put into the program by MTA members.

Since 1993 the MTEP has been successful in educating Montana youth and adults and is now split into two segments:

Education - which is an 8 hour course teaching trapping ethics, regulation, safety, health, equipment, fur handling and some history.

Outreach - which involves presentations on trapping to the general public through educational booths, school programs, 4-H clubs and other civic groups.

Both are an important method in which the public is informed about the role trapping plays in the conservation of one of Montana's renewable resources - the furbearer.

The MTEP Outreach keeps instructors and members busy throughout the year.  Through information on in-kind report forms, the following have contributed volunteer time by making presentations on trapping to different groups:

District 1 - educated the hunting public about trapping.  Those who attended learned the proper way to handle finding traps or caught animals.

District 2 - made several presentations on trapping to schools, 4-H clubs and conservation groups.  Including setting up and maintaining an educational booth at their local county fair.

District 4 - conducted a fur craft session at a Becoming an Outdoor Woman workshop.  The class focused on catching, finishing, and making clothing.  Taught those in attendance how to make fur hats and earmuffs.

District 5 - has been busy with 4-H'ers, showing them how to trap, skin and sell their fur.  Participants were able to attend the Les Barton Fur Sale in Deer Lodge so they could sell their catch.  Also gave a trapping presentation to local schools.

The above are just a few of the examples in which MTA members are busy volunteering their time - yes, this is volunteer work - to keep our trapping heritage alive in Montana!