Montana FWP Encouraging Early Signup For Hunter Education

The fall hunting season is in full swing here in Montana, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't start planning for next year.

Planning for what?

For those of you who are new to Montana or don't hunt (in which case, why are you reading this?), everyone born after 1985 has to take a certified hunter education class in order to purchase a MT hunting license, with special classes specifically for bowhunting and trapping.

MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks is encouraging people to plan to take any needed hunter education classes early just to get them out of the way, rather than wait until it's almost hunting season, when classes are either long over or booked solid with a long waiting list.

MT FWP has multiple resources to help you find classes, from in-person to online only or a mix of both.

Actually, if a prospective hunter is between 12-17 and taking the online-only course, they actually have to participate in an in-person field day in order to complete the course.  If you're 18 and older and taking the online course, the field day isn't mandatory, but strongly recommended.

And don't forget about the Apprentice Hunter program, for kids ages 10-12.

Who needs to take the course?

At the risk of being Captain Obvious, anyone who wants to hunt in Montana.

First-time hunters, whether they're kids or adults, need to take (and pass) the certification exam.

Hunters from out of state may need to take a Montana Hunter Ed class to hunt here. It's also possible that proof of completion from another state's program may be sufficient. Check with MT FWP for more details.

And again, bowhunting and trapping have their own specific Hunter's Ed courses, different from general hunting.