| BILLINGS – Hunter and Bowhunter Education in-person classes and field days will be offered in several locations in south-central Montana this spring. These classes are taught by skilled volunteer instructors and offer hands-on learning experiences, mentoring opportunities and the ability for students to ask questions of experienced hunters. During in-person classes, students learn how to handle firearms and archery equipment safely, basic survival skills, hunting ethics, wildlife management, game identification, landowner-hunter relations, and Montana hunting laws and regulations.
Montana law requires anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, to complete a Hunter Education class or qualify as an apprentice hunter before purchasing a Montana hunting license. All first-time bowhunters must complete a Bowhunter Education course or show proof of a prior year’s archery license from another state or province.
There are multiple options to complete these required classes depending on student age.
In-person, Instructor-led Course
In-person courses are led by volunteer instructors who are passionate about preserving Montana’s hunting tradition, teaching firearm and archery equipment safety, ethics, and other outdoor skills. Students must be at least 10 years old to participate in Hunter Education and at least 11 years old for Bowhunter Education. In-person classes are free.
Registration is currently open for these in-person courses:
Hunter Education
- Worden, starts March 13
- Hardin, starts March 27
- Roundup, starts April 1
There will be an in-person Hunter Education class in Billings beginning April 17. Registration for this class will open soon.
Bowhunter Education
- Big Timber, starts April 12
Online and Field Day Combination Course
Students age 12 to 17 and students who will turn 12 by Jan. 16 of the current license year (March – Feb.) can take Hunter and Bowhunter Education online, but must also pass an in-person field day to be certified. FWP strongly encourages students to register for a field day as soon as possible as opportunities will be limited after Oct. 1 each year. The online Hunter Education course costs $25 and the online Bowhunter Education course costs $30. Field days are free.
Registration is currently open for these field days for online students:
Hunter Education
Bowhunter Education
Online-only Course
The self-paced online Hunter and Bowhunter courses are available for students 18 and older. Once certified, graduates may purchase or apply for licenses. No in-person field day is required but FWP strongly encourages participation at an in-person field day. The online Hunter Education course costs $25 and the online Bowhunter Education course costs $30.
To register for these or other courses, visit: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education. This webpage will be updated as more classes are scheduled around the state.
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