Online students ages 12-17 will need in-person field course

MILES CITY – Two free in-person Hunter Education courses with field days will be offered in Miles City in March and April. There is also an online option to take the course, but there is a fee, and students between the ages of 12 and 17 taking the online course will also need an in-person field day to become certified to hunt. Two field days for online students will be offered in Miles City this year. Adults taking the course online do not require an in-person field day.

Who needs Hunter Education?

To purchase or apply for a Montana hunting license, anyone born after January 1, 1985, must complete a Hunter Education course issued by Montana, any other state, or any Canadian province.

When are the Miles City in-person classroom courses?

Friday, March 15-Sunday, March 17-Students can register for this course now at fwp.mt.gov under the Education tab. They should select the “In-Person, Instructor-Led Course (10 and up).” Class schedule is 6-8 pm on Friday, March 15 at FWP headquarters in Miles City, 8 am-4 pm on Saturday, March 16 at FWP, and 8 am-4 pm on Sunday, March 17, beginning at FWP and ending at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area with the field day. Class space is limited to 35 students.

Friday, April 5-Sunday, April 7-Students can register for this course beginning March 4 at fwp.mt.gov under the Education tab. They should select the “In-Person, Instructor-Led Course (10 and up).” Class schedule is 6-8 pm on Friday, April 5 at FWP headquarters in Miles City, 8 am-4 pm on Saturday, April 6 at FWP, and 8 am-4 pm on Sunday, April 7, beginning at FWP and ending at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area with the field day. Class space is limited to 35 students.

These free courses are taught by experienced volunteers and offer extensive hands-on learning opportunities. All firearms training is done with a variety of inert firearms. The goal of the course is to help develop safe and responsible hunters. Topics covered include firearms safety, hunting ethics and responsibility, game processing, marksmanship, hunt planning/survival, and wildlife management.

In-Person Field Days for Online Students

Sunday, March 17-From 8 am-12 pm at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area. Students must have taken the online course to register for the field day. Registration for the field day is open now at fwp.mt.gov under the Education tab. They should select “Online and Field Day Combination Course (age 12-17).” Then select “Field Day.” Students must present field day qualifier certificate from online course.

Sunday, April 7-From 8 am-12 pm at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area. Students must have taken the online course to register for the field day. Registration for the field day opens March 4 at fwp.mt.gov under the Education tab. They should select “Online and Field Day Combination Course (age 12-17).” Then select “Field Day.” Students must present field day qualifier certificate from online course.

During the in-person field day for online students, participants receive instruction, practice, and then demonstrate their skills and knowledge in two key areas: firearm safety and hunting ethics. Instructors provide hands-on instruction and present realistic scenarios, then evaluate students on their understanding and competency. All hands-on firearms training is done with a variety of inert firearms. Topics covered include firearms safety, hunting ethics and responsibility, game processing, marksmanship, hunt planning/survival, and wildlife management. Instructors will pass or fail students based on their overall performance. Students who fail the field day must pass a future field day to receive certification.

Are there Hunter Education courses offered in other areas?

All Hunter and Bowhunter Education classroom courses and field days can be found on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov under the Education tab. The timing of courses in southeast Montana is dependent on volunteer instructor availability, and classes can be posted at different times throughout the year. If you do not yet see a course in your area, check the website periodically, or call 406-234-0900 for more information or email mprell@mt.gov.