Promoting Trapping Heritage and Wildlife Conservation Through Youth Engagement
Annapolis, MD — Maryland Fur Trappers, Inc. is proud to announce a revitalized focus on trapping within Maryland’s Hunter Safety Education Program. Led by Bill Dixon, Program Supervisor for Maryland’s Hunter Safety Education, this initiative seeks to inspire young and new hunters and trappers, ensuring the heritage and essential conservation practices of trapping are passed down to future generations.
Trapping has long been a core part of Maryland’s wildlife management, providing ecological balance and aiding in conservation efforts across the state. Maryland Fur Trappers, Inc. sees this renewed focus as a vital opportunity to promote an understanding of trapping not just as a skill, but as a responsibility toward the land and its inhabitants. The organization is committed to supporting efforts that keep Maryland’s natural resources thriving for generations to come.
Bill Dixon and his team are dedicated to expanding trapping education through hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and educational materials tailored to younger audiences and new trappers. Dixon emphasized, “Our goal is to encourage a new generation of hunters and trappers who understand the ecological role and importance of trapping in sustainable wildlife management. This is about preserving a heritage and fostering a respect for Maryland’s diverse ecosystems.”
The enhanced trapping education program aims to empower young hunters with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in trapping ethically, responsibly, and effectively. Through this education, Maryland Fur Trappers, Inc. believes the state’s trapping heritage will remain a living tradition, fostering a deeper connection between Maryland’s people and the land they inhabit.
“Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer Hunter Ed instructor for the Natural Resources Police please contact Bill directly at harold.dixon@maryland.gov“
Meet Bill Dixon
Bill Dixon
Program Supervisor - Maryland Hunter Education
A Life of Stewardship, Service, and Skills in the Outdoors
Bill Dixon, the current Program Supervisor of the Maryland Hunter Education Program, embodies a lifetime of dedication to the outdoors and public safety. Since his earliest years, Dixon has harbored a passion for hunting, trapping, and exploring the natural world, pursuits that have shaped his character and career. From boyhood days wandering through forests and fields, he developed a keen interest in wildlife that would set the tone for his life’s journey. Today, he stands as an accomplished hunter, seasoned outdoorsman, and mentor to countless others, especially young people beginning their journey into the outdoors.
Before he took up his role with the Maryland Natural Resources Police, Dixon spent decades in service to the community as a detective with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office. His years in law enforcement reflect his dedication to protecting and guiding others—a quality he carries over into his work with the Hunter Education Program. With the sheriff’s department, Dixon distinguished himself through diligent investigative work and an unyielding commitment to justice, building a reputation for integrity and grit. His retirement from the force didn’t slow him down; instead, it opened a new chapter dedicated to sharing his love and knowledge of the outdoors with Maryland’s next generation of hunters and trappers.
In his role as the Maryland Hunter Safety Education Program Supervisor, which he has held for the past three years, Dixon has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum and fostering a comprehensive understanding of safe, ethical hunting practices. His efforts have enriched the program, making it one of the finest in the country, with a unique emphasis on conservation, ethics, and respect for wildlife. Under his leadership, the program has thrived, benefiting from Dixon’s lifetime of experience and wisdom.
Though busy with his supervisory duties, Dixon is still very much an active participant in the trapping community. In the past year, he’s focused on building a top-notch trapper’s kit, accumulating tools and equipment with an eye for quality and precision. He plans to put his skills to the test this December, bringing a year’s worth of preparation and knowledge to Maryland’s fields and forests. His goal is not only to engage in the pursuit he loves but to apply and refine his techniques, reinforcing his expertise as a hands-on practitioner of the skills he teaches.
Dixon’s commitment to excellence in trapping extends beyond his own backyard. He has pursued specialized training across several states, attending advanced trapping courses in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. His training includes the prestigious Maryland Fur Trappers Advanced Trapping Course, where he honed skills in everything from animal behavior and trapping strategy to ethical standards and environmental stewardship. This depth of training and dedication marks him as a standout in the field—someone with the expertise to manage complex wildlife challenges and educate others.
For Dixon, trapping and hunting are more than pastimes—they are traditions, each representing a bond with the land, an appreciation for the ecosystem, and a responsibility to practice sustainable, humane methods. These values are integral to his teachings, and he works tirelessly to ensure Maryland’s youth and future hunters learn respect for wildlife and the importance of maintaining ecological balance. His influence is seen in the respect and admiration of his students, fellow educators, and members of the Maryland hunting and trapping community.
Whether leading training sessions, advising on field techniques, or heading up public outreach programs, Bill Dixon brings unwavering dedication and expertise to his work. As the Maryland Hunter Education Program Supervisor, he not only teaches skills but instills a love for the land and a respect for all its creatures—a legacy that will continue to impact Maryland’s hunting community for generations to come.