The Montana Trappers Education Program (MTEP) was started by the Association in 1980.  Using funds from the MTA Annual Raffle and Auction, a student training manual and instructor guide was developed.  With this in place and with the help of the NTA, an instructor certification program was established and 22 instructors were certified.  In 1988 an Education Committee was appointed by the MTA Board of Directors.  The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) initiated correspondence in 1992 with the MTA to discuss financial assistance for the program.  Due to the high cost of implementing the program, purchase of education material and travel expenses for the 22 instructors, the MTEP had limited success.  In 1993, the MTA received funding from MFWP.  This funding was in the form of Pitman-Robertson dollars which support education for hunting, fishing, bow hunting and now trapping.  To receive this funding, the MTA must contribute matching funds calculated by volunteer in-kind.  This in-kind is calculated by putting a dollar figure on the hours and miles put into the program by MTA members.

Since 1993 the MTEP has been successful in educating Montana youth and adults and is now split into two segments:

Education - which is an 8 hour course teaching trapping ethics, regulation, safety, health, equipment, fur handling and some history.

Outreach - which involves presentations on trapping to the general public through educational booths, school programs, 4-H clubs and other civic groups.