Many of the first Europeans to settle in North Idaho came to the area to trap furbearing animals. Fur was traded for supplies and used to make coats, hats, gloves and other articles of clothing.

Hats made of beaver felt were the height of practical fashion in colonial America and western Europe in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

The demand and lack of regulations resulted in overharvest of beavers in the eastern United States and eastern Canada. Trappers came westward into what is now Idaho. Beaver trappers and fur traders played a significant role in Idaho history.

In 1809, the first European structure constructed in Idaho was built near Lake Pend Oreille for the Northwest Fur Company. By 1811, four fur companies were in business in Idaho including the widely-known Hudson Bay Co.

Between 1818 and 1827, 85,000 beavers were trapped in the Snake River drainage alone. By 1899, unregulated harvest reduced beaver population levels to the point that hunting and trapping of beavers was closed for the first half of the 20th century.

Thanks to beaver reintroductions, transplants and protection provided by Idaho conservation officers, all funded by purchase of hunting and trapping licenses and equipment, beavers were again flourishing and the trapping season was reopened in 1957.

Furbearer populations are now closely monitored. Open and closed seasons are established for trapping and hunting to provide a sustainable and renewable surplus that allows for an annual harvest of most species.

The list of species currently classified by Idaho as "furbearers" includes marten, fisher, mink, otter, beaver, muskrat, bobcat, lynx, fox and badger.

Fisher and lynx are protected and cannot be trapped or hunted. Bobcat and fox may be trapped and hunted. Otters may only be trapped until regional quotas are met.

Wolves are not classified as furbearers. They are considered big-game animals, but may be trapped and hunted.

Trappers in Idaho must be licensed and are highly regulated. All traps must bear the name or trapper identification number of the person using the trap, and all traps must be checked every 72 hours.

To be a responsible trapper, it must be remembered that although a trap in a specific size may be legal and appropriate in backcountry areas, it could very well not be appropriate to use in areas where other people recreate.

In 1996, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conducted extensive research into trapping.

The organization established best management practices for trapping of each species of furbearers.

The purpose was to minimize conflicts among various recreationists where trapping occurs. Their best practices are readily available online.

If all trappers learn and follow these, most conflicts can be avoided. Studying the best practices will help you understand where certain traps can be responsibly used.

Most trapping seasons in Idaho opened Nov. 1. However, the bobcat trapping and hunting seasons open Dec. 14.

All trappers are encouraged to respect other outdoor recreationists by recognizing areas that are frequently used for hiking and dog walking, and taking appropriate measures to ensure that conflicts between recreationists, pets and traps are avoided.

With the increased worldwide demand for furs in recent years and the resulting increased market value, the incentive for new trappers to take up the activity has increased.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game created a voluntary trapper education program to help educate the new trappers. The goal is to promote safe, effective and ethical trapping, to minimize incidents of non-target catches, and to minimize impacts of trapping activity on other recreationists.

A two-session introductory trapper education class has been scheduled in Coeur d'Alene for Friday, Jan. 16 from 6-8:30 p.m. and Jan. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Attendance at both sessions is required to complete the class. Participants must be at least 9 years of age to take the course.

Space is limited and registration is required. Registration can be completed on Fish and Game's website: www.fishandgame.idaho.gov.

Phil Cooper is a wildlife conservation educator in Coeur d'Alene for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.