MDC to hold trapping clinic at Talbot Conservation Area

Trapping for furbearers during Missouri's trapping season provides some people with additional revenue through the sale of pelts. It also is a good way to control some animal populations. A free Missouri Department of Conservation trapping clinic will be held Oct. 3 and 4 at the Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area in Lawrence County.

Free seminar Oct. 3 and 4 in Lawrence County will provide tips and hands-on instruction.

MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will hold a free trapping seminar 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 6 a.m. to noon on Oct. 4 at the Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area in Lawrence County. A portion of the two-day course will be held indoors at MDC’s shop building on the Talbot Area and part of the class will consist of hands-on practice outside.

People attending this workshop will have an opportunity to gain a fundamental knowledge of trapping. Topics covered at the seminar will include the trap setting, the types of traps in use today, regulations, skinning and complete fur handling. Cable-restraint certification will not be included in this class. People should plan to attend both days of the seminar. One of the activities on the first day will be setting traps. The second day will discuss checking traps and how to handle fur.

The clinic is open to all ages, but preregistration is required because class size is limited to 50. Individuals can register by contacting Lawrence County Conservation Agent Andy Barnes at 417-461-4586 or at Andy.Barnes@mdc.mo.gov.

Trapping information can also be found at mdc.mo.gov.

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MDC to hold cable restraint certification class

NEOSHO, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation will hold a cable restraint trapping certification class at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery

meeting room, which is located at 520 E. Park St. in Neosho.

When used correctly, cable restraint devices can hold animals alive and allow trappers to release non-target animals unharmed. The devices can be used to take furbearers during Missouri’s furbearer trapping season (see the Wildlife Code of Missouri for details on season dates and regulations) by trappers who have successfully completed a cable restraint training course, validated by a certified instructor.

This free course will cover the basics of safely and legally utilizing cable restraints to capture furbearers. Regulations, proper set location and cable restraint construction will be discussed.

Interested individuals are asked to pre-register by contacting Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Management Biologist Frank Loncarich at 417-451-4158 or Frank.Loncarich@mdc.mo.gov.