Hunter Education Classes Available Across Northwest Montana
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: February 5, 2018

The first hunter and bowhunter education classes of 2018 are open to registration across northwest Montana.

Hunter education courses are currently scheduled in Bigfork, Whitefish, Libby, Plains, Somers and Trout Creek. Bowhunter education courses are scheduled for Plains and Columbia Falls. Online registration is open by visiting fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter and selecting “Find a Class or Field Course.”

Instructors in other communities are in the process of organizing additional courses and those classes will be announced in the coming weeks and months. For updates, follow Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Region 1 Facebook page or visit fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter.

A student must be at least 10 years old to register for a hunter education class. There is no maximum age limit. Classroom courses are free and anyone is welcome to take the course, especially parents who want to accompany their child.

Online hunter education courses are available for those who are 18 years or older. The online course allows participants to complete the classroom equivalent of the Montana Hunter Education Course online. Adults must still attend a practical field course to become certified.

Class days and total hours vary by area. Participants must attend all of the classroom sessions, field course, and pass a final exam to become certified. To purchase a Montana hunting license, any person born after Jan. 1, 1985, must show a certificate of completing a hunter education course.

Hunter and bowhunter education instructors are needed across northwest Montana to teach safety, outdoor skills, ethics and responsibility to students of all ages. Volunteer instructors play a vital role in carrying on Montana’s hunting heritage and tradition. For more information, contact Dillon Tabish at (406) 751-4564.

Hunter Education Courses

Bigfork

Bigfork High School music room

Orientation: March 21, 7-8 p.m.

Classes: March 26-30, 6-9 p.m.

Field Course: March 31

Instructor: Rod Day, (406) 249-5402

Libby

Libby Elementary School

Classes: Feb. 15, Feb. 19-22, Feb. 26-27, 6:30-9 p.m.

Field Course: March 3

Instructor: Bill Swagger, (406) 334-0352

Plains

Plains High School

Orientation: Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m.

Classes: March 19-23, 6-8:30 p.m.

Field Course: March 24

Instructor: Wayne Crismore, (406) 826-5139

Somers

Somers Middle School

Orientation: Feb. 20, 3:30-5 p.m.

Classes: March 5-8, 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Field Course & Test: March 10

Instructor: Wes Plummer, (406) 250-3437

Trout Creek

Trout Creek Fire Station

Meet Feb. 12, 7-9 p.m., to decide the six nights when courses will be held

Instructor: Harold Hudson, (406) 827-4010

Whitefish

Whitefish Middle School

Classes: March 5-6; March 8-9, 6-9 p.m.

Field Course: March 10

Instructor: Ron Nail, (406) 862-4509

Bowhunter Education Courses

Columbia Falls

North Valley Community Center

Classes: May 17-18, 6:30-9 p.m.

Field Course: May 19, Noon-5 p.m.

Instructor: David Yeats, (406) 888-7800

 

Plains

Plains High School

Classes: April 2-5, 6-8:30 p.m.

Field Course: April 6, 4:30-8 p.m.

Instructor: Wayne Crismore, (406) 826-5139

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