Few people outside the trapping world understand just how much science, skill, and stewardship go into the craft. In this episode, Fred Bird and Charlie Masheck, FTA College Instructor and owner of Hoosier Trapping Supply, take listeners deep inside Trappers College, exploring how its curriculum, mentorship programs, and field instruction prepare students to become leaders in wildlife conservation and furbearer management. From understanding coyote population dynamics to learning diverse trapping techniques from expert instructors, this isn’t just about setting traps—it’s about managing ecosystems responsibly.
But first, Fred sits down with Cristina Jones, business executive for Fur Takers of America and assistant director of Trappers College. She shares how the college’s partnership with Purdue University brings credibility and structure to the nation’s premier trapping education program. Together, they unpack how professionalism and public outreach are reshaping the image of trappers in conservation policy circles and how mentorship plays a vital role in carrying the heritage of trapping forward.
If you’ve ever wanted an insider’s look at the balance between fieldcraft, education, and advocacy in the outdoors, this episode delivers it straight from the source.
