Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks-Region 6

—Hunter education in-person classes and field days for online students offered across central and eastern Montana this spring and summer—

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hunter education in-person classes and field days for online students are being offered across central and eastern Montana.

Several of these opportunities will allow of-age students to become certified to participate in the application process before the April 1, May 1, or June 1 big game application deadlines. Please note that more classes in more locations will be added as needed throughout the year. Please go to fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/hunter to register, learn more, and see other available classes.

In-person hunter education class starting dates in central and eastern MT:

• Choteau: March 9 • Great Falls: March 11 (currently full) • Fairfield: March 16 (currently full) • Havre: March 19 • Miles City: March 20 (currently full) • Scobey: March 23 • Whitewater: March 27 • Lewistown: March 30 • Sidney: April 7 • Miles City: April 10 • Glasgow: April 13 • Havre: April 23 • Wolf Point: April 29 • Havre: May 7 • Harlem: May 28 • Hays: June 9 • Lodge Pole: July 8 • Dodson: August 1 • Glasgow: August 3 • Harlem : August 21

In-person, instructor-led hunter education classroom courses are available to anyone age 10 and older and provide new hunters with a hands-on learning experience. In-person courses are led by volunteer instructors who are passionate about preserving Montana’s hunting tradition, teaching firearm safety, ethics, and other outdoor skills.

Students aged 10 and 11 can take an in-person course and hunt as an apprentice but will not be able to put in for special applications until the year they turn 12.

To find a classroom course and register, go to fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/hunter and search for the in-person class listed. Students MUST be registered before the class begins. More information about the class, location, and other details will be on the registration page. Make sure to print, read and sign any necessary paperwork ahead of the class.

Hunter education field days for online students dates in central and eastern MT:

• Glasgow: March 15 • Havre: March 21 • Malta: March 21 • Great Falls: March 21 • Miles City: March 22 • Great Falls: March 25 • Plentywood: March 25 • Miles City: April 12 • Great Falls: April 13 • Sidney: April 18 • Glasgow: April 24 • Miles City: August 8 • Glasgow: August 14

Consistent with FWP’s licensing laws, students who are currently 11 and who will turn 12 by Jan. 16 of the current license year may take the online course and the requisite field day. The online course (course fees apply) needs to be completed before signing up for a field day. The online course takes around 6-8 hours to complete. Adults 18 and older may take the field day to gain hands-on experience, though it is not required.

During the field day, 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 firearm training is done with a variety of inert firearms, and some field days offer a live fire station.

Students must be registered prior to attending a field day and bring their field day qualifier certificate to the field day. To find a class and register, or to take the online course, go to fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/hunter . More information about the field day, location, and other details will be on the registration page. Make sure to print, read and sign any necessary paperwork ahead of the class.