Bill would extend hunting apprentice model to include trapping, add mentor-based trapper pathway

Representative Paul Fielder introduced House Bill 96 to create a trapping apprentice certificate that mirrors Montana’s Hunter Apprentice program and extends mentor-led access to trapping. “Today, I bring you, at the request of the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, a bill creating a trapping apprentice certificate,” Fielder said, explaining the bill would remove the word “hunting” from current language and make the credential an apprentice certificate that covers both hunting and trapping. Under the proposal, apprentices could participate with a mentor for up to two years before completing trapper certification coursework and a field day to obtain a full trapping license. The bill’s sponsor said it would allow youth as young…