You must have a hunting license to hunt any of Montana's game animals. To purchase a Montana hunting license, any person born after January 1, 1985 must show a certificate of completing a hunter education course issued by:

• Montana,
• any other state, or
• any Canadian province.

This law became effective October 1, 2003 (MCA 87-2-105). Hunter education is NOT required if you were born on or prior to January 1, 1985.

What the program is about

Montana's program follows the standards established by the International Hunter Education Association . By meeting these standards, the Montana hunter education certificate is recognized and honored in all of North America.

A student must be at least 11 years old to become certified in hunter education. This minimum age requirement ensures that the student is mature enough to understand the course material and physically strong enough to handle hunting equipment during class. There is no maximum age limit. Anyone is welcome to take the course, especially parents who want to accompany their child.

Classes are a minimum of 12 hours in length. You must attend all of the sessions and pass a final exam to become certified and a field course typically completes the program.

Get your first hunting license for free!

Any Montana youth 12–17, who completes hunter education, is eligible to receive their FIRST hunting license absolutely free. The Resident Youth Combination Sports License includes: a conservation license, fishing license, upland game bird license, elk license, and deer A license. After completing hunter education, stop by any FWP office and get your first hunting license for free!

Hunter Education Course Schedule

Find a class online

FWP maintains a Web page for the volunteer instructors to advertise their class. View the online list to see when and where a class is being offered in your area. If you can't find what you're looking for please contact FWP regional offices directly. [View schedule]

Instructors add your class

Montana's volunteer instructors offer about 500 courses of hunter and bowhunter education every year statewide. [Post class]

Adult Online Hunter Education Program

The Adult Online Hunter Education Program allows you to complete the classroom portion of the Montana Hunter Educaion Course online; you must still attend a practical field course portion to become certified. This site offers information on both the online course and the required field day course. [Learn more]

Hunter Education Student Manual

• Hunting and Hunter Education ( 622 KB)
• Hunter Responsibility ( 192 KB)
• Today’s Firearms ( 2.6 MB)
• Firearm Safety ( 1.3 MB)
• Understanding Ammunition ( 2.6 MB)
• Shooting Skills ( 868 KB)
• Preparing for the Hunt and Outdoor Safety ( 818 KB)
• Making the Shot and Afterwards ( 524 KB)
• Special Hunting and Safety Concerns ( 609 KB)
• Conservation, Wildlife Management and Identification ( 2.1 MB)