Trapper Education
Basic Trapper Education Courses
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission offers basic trapper education courses through our Advanced Hunter Education Program. The current trapper education program consists of an online training program followed by a 4-hour field day component. Once you complete the online trapper education course, you will need to register and attend a 4-hour field day by using the link below.
To find a trapping course, visit the new Go Outdoors North Carolina calendar.
Trapper Education Materials
The AFWA trapper education manual was designed to assure that content taught to students was consistent among state agencies, despite differences in trapping regulations. This is a similar method used by state hunter educational programs.
Each state is unique concerning the species and numbers of furbearers present, regulations, and traditions. Please consult North Carolina’s trapping regulations for specific restrictions regarding permissible trap-types, furbearer species and other regulations pertinent to North Carolina.
Advanced Trapper Education Courses
The North Carolina Trappers Association (NCTA), in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, offers advanced trapper education courses, including hands-on, species-specific workshops. For more information on NCTA advanced trapper education courses contact Todd Menke, NCTA Education Coordinator.
Other Trapping-Related Educational Courses
Wildlife Damage Control Agent (WDCA) Program
This program allows trained and certified Wildlife Damage Control Agents (WDCA) to issue wildlife depredation permits to North Carolina residents having confirmed wildlife damage problems. It was developed to streamline the permitting process.
WDCA are authorized to issue permits for certain species on the spot, once wildlife damage has been confirmed. Under previous regulations the resident had to apply for a permit from the Wildlife Resources Commission and then wait for the permit to arrive before legally trapping, capturing, or killing an animal that is causing damage.