SDTA- Education

Topics taught are:

History of trapping
Trapping ethics
Furbearer biology and management
Trapping equipment and techniques
Identification of furbearers
Proper fur handling techniques
Marketing fur

The SDTA assists public education of teachers at all levels, statewide, elementary, secondary and vocational, with a wide variety of topics relating to trapping and furbearing animals. The SDTA also offers teaching assistance to other organizations such as the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, 4-H clubs and others.


John Almquist demonstrates a beaver channel set in Hartford Creek on May 21, 2005 at the water trapping seminar.	John Almquist demonstrates a dirt hole set at the Youth Conservation Camp near Custer, SD 6/9/05	Jim Coulthard demonstrates beaver mud pie set for a group of students at the Youth Conservation Camp 6/9/05 in the SD Black Hills near Custer, SD

Steve "Pete" Peterson shows a group of observers a coon and mink water set under a walk bridge over Hartford Creek at the water trapping seminar on 5/21/005	Harlan Heitz shows a group of students some trap adjusting at the Aberdeen NRA Youth Fest at the Aberdeen Gun Club on 8/27/05	Aaron Doyscher & Randy Lopau at the Watertown NRA Youth Fest on 9/10/05 meet with a group of kids to review types of traps and trap modifications.

Tom Lohr demonstrated dirt hole sets for the kids at the Watertown NRA Youth Fest	Randy Lopau meets with a group of kid at the Watertown NRA Youth Fest to discuss SD Furbearers.	Aaron Doyscher demonstrates a raccoon box bait cubby set for the kids Watertown NRA Youth Fest
		<---Bud Hart gives a group of kids at the Aberdeen NRA Youth Fest a few tips on trapping raccoons in cage traps.

In this modern era where trapping is not as much a common lifestyle as it was 50 or 100 years ago, there is still a tremendous need for sources of information for our youth who may want to learn more about trapping. Presently there is no minimum standard in South Dakota of either knowledge, or competence, required to purchasing a trapping license. Many common trapping abuses are attributable to inexperienced people. Furthermore, most of these abuses can be preventable through proper education. Education can be an important key to reducing objectionable trapping and at the same time it can help promote a greater understanding of furbearer management programs. Trapping should be conducted humanely and in an ethical manner. A better educated trapper can have the potential of bridging the gap between trappers and some elements of the public concerning trapping issues.

Terry Olson is showing kids some muskrat skinning tips.
	Kent DeBoer is demonstrating a safe way to set a #1 longspring trap.

	Kent DeBoer reviews some information in the NTA Handbook with a small group of kids


Youth Education - Fur Handling	Muskrats are fun..

Aaron shows the kids how to set a snare	Randy Shumaker shows proper muskrat stretching


Terry Olson helping with youth fur handling	Aaron Doyscher teaches how a trap works