Hunter education courses cover basic information and skills related to the safe handling of firearms as well as basic instruction in wildlife management, game identification, landowner/hunter relations, hunter ethics, and Montana hunting laws and regulations. 

 

Who needs Hunter Education?

To purchase or apply for a Montana hunting license, anyone born after January 1, 1985, must complete a hunter education course issued by Montana, any other state, or any Canadian province.

 

Get Certified

In-person, Instructor-led Course

These free courses are offered throughout the year across the state for anyone 10 and older. Instructor-led hunter education courses provide new hunters with a hands-on learning experience and can be particularly beneficial for people who have minimal experience in the field or handling firearms.

Students ages 10-11 can take the in-person course and hunt as an Apprentice but will not be fully certified until the year they turn 12. Students who choose to take the in-person course must attend all classroom sessions, the field course, and pass a final exam.

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.
 

FIND A COURSE NEAR YOU

 

Online-only Course

This self-paced course is available for anyone 12 and older. Students must have been born on or before January 16, 2012, to take this online course. Once certified, graduates may purchase or apply for licenses. No in-person field course is required. However, we strongly encourage participation at a voluntary in-person field day. The self-paced online course provides a convenience for those who are comfortable with eLearning or who already have a solid firearms and hunting background. 

This course is administered through a third-party vendor, Kalkomey. Please direct any program (online) specific questions to Kalkomey's customer service department (toll-free). 

Kalkomey Customer Support

Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to midnight MDT and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MDT.

Phone: 1-800-830-2268

 

TAKE THE ONLINE COURSE AS A MONTANA RESIDENT

TAKE THE ONLINE COURSE AS A NONRESIDENT

 

Duplicate Certificates

Duplicate certificates of completion for the Montana hunter education and bowhunter education courses may be obtained online at MyFWP using the Hunter/Bowhunter Education Certificate Form.

 

Become a Volunteer Instructor

If you are interested in the future of hunting, in improving sportsmanship and safety in the field, or teaching an appreciation for the vast hunting resources in Montana, then we need you to join us and “Pass it On!”

• Learn more

 

Resources for Additional Learning

• Hunters Connect
  A set of how-to hunting related videos on a variety of topics.

• HE Tools
  A free downloadable toolset that covers many aspects of firearms and archery equipment.