In-person field day requirement reinstated for young Montana hunters

Bozeman, Montana – Several changes must be made for those taking hunter education this year to be eligible to hunt next fall.

As of this year, to obtain a hunting license in Montana, students enrolled in online hunter education programs between the ages of 12 and 17 must additionally complete an in-person field day.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP), field safety is the main concern here.

“So those being firearms safety, things like crossing fences, loading and unloading a vehicle properly, safe firearm handling in the field, as well as some of the ethics and responsibilities components of hunter education as well which are very important,” said FWP spokesman Morgan Jacobsen.

Although this is a new requirement for this year, according to Jacobsen, hunter education in Montana is nothing new; consider it a return to fundamentals.

“This was a requirement pre-COVID-19 where online students were required to take that in-person field. Now as we’ve kind of moved, you know, past that COVID era of hunter education we’re coming back to that approach to hunter education in recognition of the safety and the training that it provides, especially to our young students,” Jacobsen said.

FWP understands that learning by doing is the most effective and enjoyable approach to becoming knowledgeable about weapon safety.

“It’s so enjoyable that you get to be outside and in many of our field days, you get to be shooting guns and having a good time and, you know, getting pumped up for hunting season later in the fall. So we’re excited to be able to offer these,” said Jacobsen.

Jacobsen emphasizes that only students enrolled in the 12- to 17-year-old online course are subject to this obligation. Although he encourages them to, adults are not required to finish the field day.