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