Trapper education course planned at Crab Orchard

Area residents will have the opportunity to learn basic principles of safe trapping at an upcoming Illinois Department of Natural Resources trapper education course which is scheduled in the area.

The course is planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge visitors center.

The visitors center is located at 8588 Illinois Route 148 near Marion.

State law requires that anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1998, must successfully complete the trapping education course before they can receive their first trapping license. 

Participants who complete the course will receive a trapper education certification card verifying that they have passed the course of instruction. 

The course offers an opportunity for trappers who need to qualify for their trapping license. 

The class will also be beneficial to beginning and advanced trappers due to the variety of material that will be covered. 

The course includes instruction about equipment and trapping techniques, wildlife management, reporting requirements, trapper ethics, furbearer identification and current regulations.

The class is sponsored by Clear Creek Ecological Services.

For additional information about the class contact Dan Woolard at 618-697-6837.