Helena — The Montana House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee on Wednesday heard testimony on House Bill 96, which would create a trapping apprentice certificate modeled on the state's hunter-apprentice program and let novice hunters and trappers practice under a mentor for up to two years before completing full certification.

Representative Paul Fielder, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure was brought at the request of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). “This bill basically removes the idea that this is just a hunting certificate ... and it makes it an apprentice certificate which addresses both hunting and trapping,” Fielder said.

The bill would let people who have not completed a hunter safety or trapper-education course participate in hunting or trapping with a qualified mentor for up to two years. Quentin Kujala, chief of conservation policy for FWP, told the committee the draft mirrors the successful hunter-apprentice framework and recommended the bill receive a due pass.

Under the proposal, a hunting mentor must have completed the Montana hunter safety and education course and hold a current hunting license; a trapping mentor must have completed a trapper education course or have three or more years' trapping experience and hold a current trapping license. Kujala explained the bill distinguishes hunting and trapping mentors in the text, and that mentors for each activity must meet the respective course-and-license requirements.

Witnesses representing trapping and sportsmen's groups largely backed the bill. Tom Feber of Montana Fur Harvesters said regionally limited instructor availability for trapper field days leaves many online-course completers unable to obtain an in-person class; expanding the apprentice option, he said, would relieve that bottleneck. Matt Lumley of Montana Trappers and JR Strand of Montana Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife also testified in support.

The bill would also expand what an apprentice may pursue: Fielder said the draft adds black bear, mountain lion and wolf to the list of species an apprentice could hunt or trap, and it allows both youth (the sponsor said the intent includes youngsters 10 and older) and adults to participate under mentorship.

Several commenters pressed for clarifications. Michael McKenrick and other witnesses urged clearer, separate language for hunter and trapper requirements because of technical differences such as trap-tagging rules. Kujala and Fielder both explained where the bill text identifies separate mentor requirements (referencing the trapper and hunter-education statutes cited in the draft) and said the department would work to resolve drafting ambiguities before executive action.

The committee took no vote on the bill at the hearing and closed testimony after hearing from proponents, informational witnesses and committee members' questions. Fielder asked the committee for a due pass in his closing remarks. No formal committee action or final vote was recorded at the hearing.