Cost Saving Options For Young Hunters

Friday, November 14, 2008
Hunting

This article was Archived on Sunday, December 14, 2008

To assist in getting Montana’s future hunters afield, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers a variety of cost-saving options for young and first-time hunters. Montana’s big game season closes Sunday, Nov. 30, so there is still time to take advantage of the cost savings.   Special requirements may apply to youth of certain ages in some situations.

• Any Montana youngster 12 through 17 years of age who has successfully completed a hunter safety and education course, and who seeks to purchase his or her first Montana hunting license, is entitled to receive a resident youth combination sports license free of charge. Future youth sportsman combination licenses are available for youngsters at $27.
• A resident youth 14 years of age who purchases a discounted deer A or elk license, may use the license throughout the season, even if he or she turns 15 before or during the season.
• A youth (resident or nonresident) 12 years of age is entitled to apply for or purchase a deer A, deer B, elk, antelope, black bear, mountain lion, upland game bird and/or turkey license or permit before turning 12. The youngster may not hunt until age 12.
• Youngsters 12 through 15 years of age may take advantage of "Special Youth Elk Hunts" as designated in the regulations. See the “Special Youth Elk Hunts” section in the 2008 Montana deer and elk hunting regulations for a list of hunting districts and details.
• Qualified nonresident youth may purchase a nonresident license at a reduced cost. The nonresident youth of a Montana resident who holds a hunting license must be accompanied by a licensed resident family member while hunting.

Montana law also allows terminally ill resident or nonresident youth under 17 years of age to receive a free, one-time deer and elk license.

In order to carry or use a firearm in public, any youngster under 14 must be supervised by a parent, an adult 18 years of age or older who is authorized by a parent, or guardian, or by a qualified firearms safety instructor.

Details on these youth hunting opportunities in Montana are available by calling the nearest FWP office.