Navigating Montana Hunter Education Requirements

Hunting in Montana is a cherished tradition and a vital part of wildlife management. To ensure the safety of both hunters and the public, Montana has specific hunter education requirements. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these requirements, covering everything from course options to licensing stipulations.

Who Needs Hunter Education in Montana?

In Montana, anyone born after January 1, 1985, must complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. However, even if not legally mandated, hunter education is highly recommended for all aspiring hunters to promote safe and ethical hunting practices.

Hunter Education Course Options in Montana

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) offers several options for completing hunter education requirements:

In-Person Course: This traditional format involves attending a course led by certified volunteer instructors. Due to popularity, registration is often required months in advance. The heart of Montana’s hunter and bowhunter education programs is the corps of dedicated volunteer instructors.
Online Course (Adults 18+): FWP partners with approved providers to offer online courses for adults 18 and older. These courses provide a flexible alternative to in-person instruction.
Online-Only Course (Adults 17+): A 3-hour, all-video-based hunter education course is available for adults 17 and older through approved providers. This course is International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA.

Regardless of the chosen method, all courses cover essential topics such as firearm safety, wildlife conservation, ethics, and hunting regulations.

Online Course Details

For those opting for the online route, here's a breakdown of the process:

Study and Pass the Course: Online courses can be completed at your own pace, with the ability to log in and out as needed. Hunter-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Age-Dependent Certification Requirements:
- Ages 11-17: Students in this age group must complete the online course as a prerequisite for attending a mandatory four-hour, in-person field day. After passing the online course, you'll immediately print out your proof of online course completion, which you will need to bring with you to the Field Day. Students who take the course online and pass the written exam will receive a field day qualifier certificate that they must bring to the in-person field day. The online course is a pre-requisite for the field day and students cannot complete the two course elements in reverse.
- Ages 18 and Older: Students 18 years of age or older, the Final Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 85% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry.
Field Day (if applicable): The field day provides hands-on experience and reinforces the knowledge gained online. Instructors will closely evaluate students. Those who cannot demonstrate proficiency in the above topics will not pass and will not be certified.
Certification: Upon successful completion of all requirements, students receive their Hunter Education Certificate. Once certified, graduates may purchase or apply for licenses.

Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor

For many, there is no greater reward than seeing a former student running toward them with a look of admiration while enthusiastically exclaiming their name then asking whether they remember them; only to be cutoff before answering by the excited story of the deer, elk, or antelope they got this year or last.

Successfully pass a background investigation. Completion of an online training course designed for new instructors. This course typically takes 3-5 hours and can be completed incrementally at your own pace. The online course is intended as a method to establish a base of knowledge upon which you can build your instructional skills.

Apprentice Hunter Certificate

Montana offers an Apprentice Hunter Certificate for individuals 10 years of age or older who have not completed a hunter safety and education course. This certificate allows them to hunt under the direct supervision of a qualified mentor.

Requirements for Apprentice Hunters

Must be in the company of a mentor when hunting and shall conduct all hunting in accordance with this section and within the terms and conditions of the license or permit issued.

Requirements for Mentors

To qualify as a mentor who will accompany an apprentice hunter, a person must:

be at least 21 years of age;
if the apprentice hunter is under 18 years of age, be related to the apprentice hunter by blood, adoption, or marriage, be the legal guardian of the apprentice hunter, or be a person designated by a parent or legal guardian as being capable and qualified to assist the apprentice hunter;
have completed a hunter safety and education course pursuant to 87-2-105;
have a current Montana hunting license;
have agreed to accompany and supervise the apprentice hunter and remain within sight of and direct voice contact with the apprentice hunter at all times while in the field; and
confirm that the apprentice hunter possesses the physical and psychological capacity to safely and ethically engage in hunting activities.

Restrictions for Apprentice Hunters

A person who obtains an apprentice hunting certificate is not eligible:

to obtain a Class A-2 special bow and arrow license without having:
- completed a bowhunter education course; and
- turned 12 years of age by January 16 of the license year;
to obtain a black bear license;
to obtain a mountain lion license;
to obtain a Class D-3 resident hound training license;
to obtain a wolf license;
to participate in a drawing with a limited quota;
to obtain a mountain sheep license in any area where the licenses are issued in unlimited numbers; or
to obtain an elk license if the apprentice hunter is under 15 years of age.

Purchasing a Hunting License in Montana

To hunt in Montana, you can purchase your license either online through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) licensing platform or in person through an authorized license provider. MT Hunting licenses expire at the end of February.

Residency Requirements

A resident is an individual who has resided in Montana for at least 180 consecutive days. Active-duty military members stationed in Montana are considered residents. Active-duty military members stationed in Montana for at least 30 days may purchase resident hunting licenses.

Non-Resident Licenses

Combination Licenses for non-residents include general deer and elk licenses, upland game bird license, and a fishing license, and applicants earn preference points to improve their chances in future season draws. A person may apply for the Come Home to Hunt License to hunt big game and deer if he or she fulfills both of the following requirements.

Bowhunter Education

A bow and arrow license may not be issued to a resident or nonresident unless the person authorized to issue the license receives an archery license issued for a prior hunting season or determines proof of completion of a bowhunter education course from the national bowhunter education foundation or any other bowhunter education program approved by the department. Neither the department nor the license agent is required to provide records of past archery license purchases. The department shall provide for a course of instruction from the national bowhunter education foundation or any other bowhunter education program approved by the department and for that purpose may cooperate with any reputable organization having as one of its objectives the promotion of safety in the handling of bow hunting tackle. The department may designate as an instructor any person it finds to be competent to give bowhunter education instruction.

Additional Information

Montana recognizes Hunter Education certifications from other states, provinces, and countries with mandatory hunter education requirements that meet official IHEA-USA requirements. Likewise, Montana will accept Hunter Education certifications that are issued by other jurisdictions that meet official IHEA-USA requirements.

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