ETHICS SD Trapping Program
ETHICS SD is a joint program conducted by a partnership between the South Dakota Trapper’s Association, the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, and the South Dakota 4-H and SDSU Extension. The goals of the program are to familiarize and teach kids how to trap, teach about ethical trapping, as well as teach conservation and safety.
ETHICS SD Trapping program has completed its 4th year, and we had a great season. The 10-county program was able to get (68) 4-H kids out trapping and putting up their own furs. The kids learned about the history of trapping, the fur trade, ecology, animal habits and Identification, trapping equipment, trap set making, lures and baits, skinning, fleshing and stretching, and many other lessons included. The counties that participated in the ETHICS SD program in 2023-2024 were: Brown, Brule, Butte, Clark, Douglas, Grant, Gregory, Haakon/Jackson, Jerauld, and Lincoln.
The ETHICS SD program is proudly taught by SDTA volunteers, and funding for equipment was provided by: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, South Dakota Trapping Association, and other generous sponsors such as National Trappers Association, Mighty Mo Spraying LLC, Minnesota Trapline Products Inc, M & M Furs Inc, Reuwsaat’s Baits & Lures, Scheels, SoDak Sports and 5 H Trading Post. Because the first year demand was larger than available funds, the Douglas County ETHICS SD was initially funded by Armour Pheasants Forever Chapter, which made a generous donation of $2000.00 that enabled the purchase of equipment enough to outfit 10 kids. The Armour Pheasants Forever Chapter subsequently donated $1000.00 again this year to purchase additional trapping equipment such as: Logwood Dye, Skinning knife, Fleshing knife, Fox, Coyote, & Muskrat Steel Stretchers, Weasel boxes, Rebar Trap stakes, and Skinning gambrels. We also purchased supplies to make snares and ground anchors.
If you would like to participate or contribute to this worthwhile program, please contact SDTA President John Hopple or SDTA Vice President Craig Parkhurst.
