My Montana Hunt FWP.MT.GOV
Plan it. Live it. Share it.
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You can do this!
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My Montana Hunt:
YOUTH AND FAMILY
Looking for information on youth and family hunting in Montana? This is the place to start. Listed here are the basic things you need to know for your family to hunt safely, legally, and eectively. And to have as much fun as possible!
Let’s get started! FWP.MT.GOV
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Plan it.
Before you can hunt, you and your family members need the correct certification and licenses. And you’ll need to know the seasons, limits, and other regulations. And—yes, there’s more—you also will want to know where you can go to find game animals to hunt. All this is not hard to do, but it’s essential. settings, and our hunter education classes prepare you for that experience. Certified volunteer instructors teach hunters to be safe, knowledgeable, responsible and ethical conservationists. All classes meet International Hunter Education Association standards and offer excellent hands-on safety instruction relevant to Montana. We encourage parents and mentors to participate when they can and offer special accommodations for students with disabilities—just let us know your needs.
At any age: A person of any age can hone their field skills and hunt year-round for animals that do not have a specific hunting season in Montana (gophers, squirrels, rabbits, for example). In order to carry or use a firearm, those under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or authorized adult. When you are 12: You must be 12 years old to purchase a hunting license in Montana. 11 year olds can also hunt during the fall season as long as they turn 12 by January 16. See the regulations for details. Hunter and bowhunter education requirements: If you were born aer January 1, 1985, you must complete hunter education to purchase a hunting license in Montana. In addition, all first time bowhunters must complete a bowhunter education class.
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What to expect: Hunting in Montana presents numerous opportunities in unique and sometimes challenging
Class options: Classes are offered in formats that fit your schedule so that you can move from planning your experience to living it as quickly as possible. FWP provides many class options & you can register online.
Classroom: In Montana, those under 18 must take their hunter and bowhunter education classes in-person. Classes are taught in most communities around the state and are offered at a variety of times—from weekends to
My Montana Hunt:
YOUTH AND FAMILY
week nights. Find a class that fits your schedule and register online: fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter
Online: In Montana, if you are 18 or older, you can take our hunter or bowhunter education course online. Once you finish your online work, you must then register for a field course to complete your certification. Find the online class info and register for a field course: fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter
Get your FREE or reduced price license: Montana residents (age 17 or under) who purchase their first ever Montana hunting license, can get a Youth Combination Sportsmen License for free! ﬔe youth combo license, which normally costs $25, includes Montana's conservation, deer, elk, upland game bird, state lands, and fishing licenses. For all subsequent years, youth licenses are available for reduced cost. Check out FWP hunter access programs and online hunt planner: FWP offers a number of ways to help you connect to places to hunt. Check out online information on our Block Management and other access programs and an online hunt planner that includes maps, hunting regulations & statistics. fwp.mt.gov/hunting/planahunt
FWP.MT.GOV
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Live it.
Montana provides several special hunting opportunities to make it easier for youth Hunter Ed graduates go hunting and have success in the field. Waterfowl & pheasant weekend: Each year, Montana sets aside a special youth only weekend for licensed waterfowl and pheasant hunters 15 and younger to hunt ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and pheasants statewide. Deer hunt: Each October, Montana hosts a youth deer hunt for those 12 to 15. ﬔis two day hunt coincides with Montana’s annual two-day teachers’ convention, which are no-school days for most public school students. A non– hunting adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the young hunters in the field. Expanded harvest opportunities: In some hunting districts, youth can hunt antlerless elk or deer, season-long, in spots where adult hunters cannot. And, in a few districts across the state, FWP offers special B-licenses or permits for elk available to youth only. ﬔese opportunities tend to be in especially desirable elk hunting areas, where the quality of the hunt may be exceptionally high. Check the regulations for specifics. Special hunts on private lands: Some Montana landowners provide special access to youth hunters. Con-
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tact your local FWP office for opportunities. Build your list: Hunting is part of a larger outdoor lifestyle in Montana. And opportunities to engage as a family are as extensive as our landscape. Build your bucket list of outdoor activities to do with your family. My Montana Hunt:
YOUTH AND FAMILY
Share it.
Hunters make essential contributions to Montana’s environment and economy. Sharing hunting experiences with the next generation is a big part of making Montana the place we love today and sustaining our outdoor conservation traditions. Invite the kids: It is never too early to include a child in your outdoor experiences. Your children can help you prepare for your hunt, from scouting wildlife to loading your pack. And, any child—no matter their age—can accompany you when you think they are ready. Be sure to check age and hunter education requirements before you prepare to get a youth his or her own license. Be a mentor: Mentoring a newcomer in the field may be the single biggest contribution that a hunter can make to our hunting heritage. Make the outdoors and hunting traditions a regular part of what you share with someone in your life—be it a neighbor, niece or nephew, grandchild, or your own child. If you need ideas on how to engage your family in hunting and outdoor training and activities, consider visiting a shooting range, attending local outdoor skill courses, joining local conservation organizations, attending youth outdoor expos and more. Learn more: fwp.mt.gov/hunting
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My Montana Hunt
You can do this! Plan it. Live it. Share it.
Photo credits Cover: billbuckleyphotography.com Page 2: donaldmjones.com Page 5: Montana FWP Page 6: denverbryan.com Page 7: denverbryan.com Back cover: donaldmjones.com
1000 copies of this public document were published at an estimated cost of $0.39 per copy, for a total of $396, which includes $396 for printing and distribution.
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