This project aims to boost engagement and support for state-regulated trapping among the public and wildlife professionals through a dynamic educational video, multiple video shorts, and several…

This project aims to boost engagement and support for state-regulated trapping among the public and wildlife professionals through a dynamic educational video, multiple video shorts, and several professional development workshops.educational video:the primary video will replace the outdated one currently used in trapping matters workshops. The old video, while impactful over the past 25 plus years, has lost credibility due to its poor quality and dated fashion. The new video will combine live person on the street interviews and focus groups with wildlife professionals and the public to explore perceptions of trapping. IT will also demonstrate key messages, developed through years of research, to address public and professional concerns. This video aims to educate agency staff during workshops and other venues about regulated trapping and the effectiveness of curated messages in gaining understanding and support.media shorts:these shorter videos will target multiple audiences, including decision-makers, legislators, policy makers, commissions, and outdoor recreation writers, to improve their understanding of trapping. Content will focus on key messages about trapping that address public concerns, using agency staff for credibility. For example, videos will feature wildlife veterinarians discussing animal welfare, wildlife law enforcement officers explaining regulations, and researchers emphasizing the abundance of trapped species and the benefits of trapping. Agencies have expressed a need for these videos, and this project aims to fulfill that need.recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) effort:additional media shorts will target recruiting hunters, anglers, and underrepresented groups in trapping, such as women and active duty military personnel, based on findings from a recent multistate conservation grant. These shorts will be used by state wildlife agencies to educate their constituents and will be shared on social media platforms (e.g., youtube, facebook, instagram, tiktok) to promote regulated trappings role in wildlife management.trapping matters workshops:the association of fish and wildlife agencies has conducted trapping matters workshops since 2003 and wild FUR schools since 2010, training over 7,000 wildlife professionals and students. These programs consistently receive high marks from participants, with over 98% indicating they know more about trapping and can communicate more effectively about the activity after participating. The goal is to continue these workshops to educate the next generation of wildlife professionals on trapping motivations, equipment, techniques, and research, as well as public perceptions and key messages.professional development:the videos and workshops will be used in various professional development settings to enhance the capacity of agency staff to communicate effectively about trapping. This will prepare them for critical conversations about trapping, helping to maintain public support and approval for regulated trapping activities and agency authority to manage wildlife with trapping.