Contents
Find out who teaches Hunter Education classes in Montana.
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Introduction
Anyone who is interested in becoming a certified hunter education instructor in Montana must attend a Hunter Education Instructor Development Course (HEDC). The HEDC is offered by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP).
Who Can Teach Hunter Education Classes in Montana?
Any individual, group, or organization can apply to teach Hunter Education in Montana. The application process is outlined on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website. After the application is complete, a certified instructor will contact the applicant to schedule a training session.
Qualifications
In order to teach a Hunter Education course in Montana, an individual must possess a valid Montana teaching license, complete a criminal background check, and complete the Hunter Education Instructor training.
Certification
All prospective instructors must:
-Be at least 18 years old,
-Complete a compulsory pre-classroom certification training,
-Submit an application to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), and
-Successfully complete a criminal background check.
How to Teach Hunter Education Classes in Montana
You must be 18 years of age or older, a Montana resident, and have completed a certified hunter education course to teach hunter education classes in Montana. You must complete the online application and pay the required fee. After you have completed these steps, you will be able to login to the Montana Hunter Education Instructor Portal to complete the certification process.
Classroom Instruction
The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is responsible for developing, conducting and maintaining the Montana Hunter Education Program. Trained volunteer instructors deliver the courses to interested students. FWP does not charge for the courses, but there is a nominal fee for the materials.
Classroom instruction is required for all first time hunters regardless of age, and must be completed before taking the final exam. The minimum age for certification is 10 years old, however, students must be at least 11 years old to purchase a hunting license.
Classroom sessions are typically two to three hours long, and are offered in the evening or on weekends to accommodate busy schedules. Topics covered include hunter responsibility, wildlife conservation, firearms safety and handling, archery safety and wildlife identification.
Field Instruction
Field instruction is a critical part of the hunter education process. You, as an instructor, have the opportunity to mold young people into hunters and conservationists.
To teach a hunter education class in Montana, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old.
-Complete a certified instructor course.
-Submit an application to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP).
Once you have met these requirements, you will be able to teach both the online and classroom portions of the hunter education course.
Summary
In Montana, hunter education is required for all hunters born after January 1, 1985. The course must be completed before a hunting license can be obtained. Anyone interested in becoming a certified hunter education instructor must complete a training course offered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
