FWP Remedial Hunter Education Course Debuts

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Hunting is a privilege. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ new Hunter Education training program helps make that point with those who have lost their hunting privileges as a result of a hunting violation. "An individual who has had his or her hunting privileges suspended due to a violation July 1, 2001 or after, will need to successfully complete the Remedial Hunter Education program in order to buy a hunting license after the suspension expires," said Thomas Baumeister, FWP hunter education coordinator. Baumeister said the remedial program isn’t just for serious offenders who have lost their privilege to hunt, though judges in the state will have the discretion to determine when to include it in a violator’s sentence. "This is a program anyone can use to improve their hunting ethics and awareness," Baumeister said. "While it may be made part of an individual’s sentence by a judge, we think anyone interested in advancing their hunting ethics and awareness will find the program interesting and beneficial." The program is available as a remedial training program by Internet or mail. The general public may take the course over the Internet at any time by going to FWP’s Internet site at fwp.state.mt.us and clicking on the Hunter Education icon on the home page. Baumeister said the training covers concepts he considers to be advanced hunter education training. The program looks at the history of hunting in Montana, explores a hunter’s reasons and motivations for hunting and tests the individual’s values by presenting various dilemmas and asking the hunter what they would do. The law and the need for both a remedial and advanced hunter education tool were identified in work done by the state’s Hunter Behavior Advisory Council. The FWP Hunter Education program is available on the FWP web site at fwp.state.mt.us by clicking on the Hunter Education icon on the home page. Questions and comments may be directed to Thomas Baumeister, FWP hunter education coordinator, at tbaumeister@state.mt.us or by phone at 406-444-4046.