Trapper Courses

The Alberta Trappers’ Association conducts several training courses every year throughout the province. The courses are 28 hours in length and can be delivered through several designs: evenings Monday to Friday and all day Saturday; or 10-hour days Friday to Sunday (approximately). Depending on class size, either one or two instructors are tasked to the course. If there is no course scheduled for your area and you would like to arrange one and act as a contact person, please contact our office for details.

Course Content

The program content includes:

• History & Development of the Industry

• Biology of Furbearers

• Management of Furbearers

• Required Equipment

• Preparation & Business Management

• Humane Harvesting

• Fur Handling

• Fur Marketing

• Field Trips

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Dave Unger Trappers College

A standard trapping course will be offered at the Dave Unger Trappers College in Debolt Alberta. These courses are specifically designed for those interested potential trappers living in areas where we do not travel to. This said, all interested candidates are invited to register.

Should you wish to print off the documents and send the completed forms in along with your cheque, please complete the forms entitlted "College Registration" and "Liability Form". An additional form "College Information Sheet" is provided for your registering. Should you have concerns, kindly contact our office.

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Course Duration

Classes will begin either Wednesday after supper or Thursday morning and continue through until Sunday afternoon. The course will cover a minimum of 28hours of instruction on humane trapping, pelt preparation, sets, regulations and fur bearer management. Upon successful completion of the course the student will receive a certificate which then enables the student to purchase either a resident or registered trapping license for Alberta.

Accommodation, Meals, & Structures

Students will be housed in a two person heated bunkhouse. Shower and bathroom facilities are available. The site has a heated classroom and if the weather is suitable there is a fire pit area for socializing after the course day. The field site is nearby and a heated trappers cabin is available should weather conditions make this necessary.

Cost A fee of $675 per student is required to pay for meals, accommodation, and the course. Registration will be on a first register, first pay basis. In the event the minimum number of students is not realized, the entire amount paid will be returned to the student. Should the course proceed and the candidate cannot attend, $300 will be returned to the student. Ensure you bring a warm sleeping bag, outdoor clothing and personal toiletries. For further information contact Jim Mitchell by phone at 780-349-6626 or email jim@albertatrappers.com.

Details Complete the registration papers, and ensure the liability waiver is signed and witnessed. Return forms along with the proper amount and you are then registered. Cheque should be payable to Trapper Education. Send all documents to Alberta Trappers Association, #2 9919 106st. Westlock Alberta, T7P 2K1. If you have special dietary needs , kindly advise when you return the documents.

Directions

Located at Gordy Klassens Ranch

• Ranch is located near Debolt Alberta. To find Debolt, go to Google maps and type in Debolt Alberta

• Debolt is between Valleyview and Grande Prairie, just off Highway 43

• Ranch is 6 miles west of Debolt on Highway 43. Turn north on range road 20 for one half mile

• The road will dead end and turns into the Klassen driveway

• Grande Prairie is 40 km. west of the ranch

Course Photos & Clips

Testimonials

"Great venue, great instructors and a wonderful family experience for myself and my girls. It was great for both seasoned veterans or beginners."

"Excellent hands on opportunity. Family environment with a no pressure atmosphere for learning. A wonderful experience."

"Tired of wasting time doing nothing on a holiday, then tired again when you get home ? Well not for us. My 12 year old son and I experienced the exact opposite on a recent four day 'hands on' Alberta Trapper Education outing. The wealth of knowledge that we have been exposed to during this time would take a life time to learn on your own. The zeal and excitement that these dedicated 'trapper' teachers have shared and now passed on to these new stewards of Alberta's fur bearers will have a great beneficial effect on the natural resources of our beautiful province of Alberta."