Kids All Over Montana Prepare for the Inaugural Apprentice Hunting Season
By Kamp Cook

Posted: August 29, 2015

p unit

Growing up, it was always a countdown to your 12th birthday. That was when I could officially become a mighty hunter. Today, my nephew, as well as kids all over the state, have an opportunity to shave off a couple years of waiting to take the field.

According to fwp.mt.gov

An apprentice MUST:

  • be between the ages of 10-17 years old at the time of license purchase.
  • have appropriate current Montana hunting license(s) for the species being hunted; the licenses MUST show that he/she is Apprentice Hunter Certified.

An apprentice MAY:

  • be a resident or nonresident
  • obtain an Apprentice Hunter Certification for no more than 2 license years before they must complete a hunter safety and education course

An apprentice is NOT ELIGIBLE to:

  • obtain a special bow and arrow license without first having completed a bowhunter education course
  • obtain a resident hound training license for chasing mountain lion
  • participate in a hunting license or permit drawing with a limited quota
  • obtain any bighorn sheep license
  • obtain an elk license if under 15 years of age

A mentor MUST

  • be 21 years old or older
  • be related to the apprentice by blood, adoption, or marriage; or be the apprentice’s legal guardian, or be designated by the apprentice’s legal guardian
  • have completed hunter education–if born after Jan. 1, 1985
  • have a current Montana hunting license
  • complete a Apprentice Hunter Mentor Form
  • agree to accompany and supervise the apprentice hunter and remain within sight of and direct voice contact with the apprentice hunter at all times while in the field
  • confirm that the apprentice hunter possesses the physical and psychological capacity to safely and ethically engage in hunting activities
  • only accompany one apprentice at a time

 

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing