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Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com
Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com

MT: Fish and Wildlife Commission votes down online wolf trapping class

TOM KUGLIN
Independent Record

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission on Thursday rejected a request by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to allow wolf-trapping certification classes to be taught online, directing the department to bring back a more comprehensive proposal in December.

FWP brought the issue before the commission to “clarify” that an online class qualified under the laws and rules requiring wolf trappers to complete a state-administered certification class. The commission unanimously voted against the request amid concerns from both trappers and wolf advocates that an online class could not match the current hands-on classes in terms of learning.

FWP’s request came after the number of trappers taking the class plummeted since the first year of wolf trapping in 2012. That year, more than 2,300 trappers were certified, followed by about 650 in 2013 and only about 280 last year.

Trappers are certified for life after passing the course.

Teaching the class requires significant staff time and expense that must be weighed against the shrinking interest, said John Vore, FWP game management bureau chief.

“It gets to be a point of diminishing returns and (online) would offer opportunities to people in outlying areas,” he said. “We further think it won’t reduce the quantity or quality of the information offered.”

Hosting the class online would allow for flexibility in taking the course as well as allow an opportunity for people in other states to learn about Montana’s wolf trapping program, he said, adding that the current class only requires attendance with no testing to earn certification. The online class would include testing to pass, he said.

Commissioner Richard Stuker of Chinook expanded on Vore’s point, stating that he would like to see anyone taking a class pass a test whether online or in person. Commissioners amended FWP’s request to include mandatory testing.

FWP brought the request for a final vote, and commissioners struggled with the finality of the request without the usual public comment period. The department asserted that none was required because it sought a clarification on existing rules.

During public comment, Marc Cooke, president of Wolves of the Rockies, a Stevensville group advocating for wolves, testified against online testing, saying his groups felt “blind-sided” but later understood there was no intended malice behind the online proposal. Cooke took the hands-on class for educational purposes and learned a good deal of information.

“I would encourage the agency to continue to have a hands-on part to this class. You need to make the commitment to go to one of these classes if you’re willing to take the time to travel many miles for your trapline,” he said.

Cooke was followed by Tim McKenrick, a member of the Montana Trappers Association who testified that his group also opposed an online class.

“I myself have gone through the wolf trapping course along with my boys and it was a good course. We’ve seen declining numbers because in the beginning a lot of people wanted to see what it was about,” he said.

Retired teacher Cheryl Tindochy also testified against the proposal, noting her experience teaching showed the best learning from the hands-on approach.

“This information has gone out nationwide and set off alarm bells. ‘Unethical’ was the immediate reaction,” she said.

Commissioners, despite indicating they would likely vote against it, discussed sending the proposal out for public comment amended to include a testing requirement for both online and in-person classes. Commissioners ultimately decided to take action on the measure, voting it down and instructing the department to return for the December meeting with a more concrete proposal for consideration.

“I don’t believe hunting, fishing and trapping are amenable to learn online,” said Commissioner Richard Kerstein of Scobey. “If Wolves of the Rockies and the Montana Trappers Association are on the same page, I couldn’t support it as of right now.”

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