By state law, anyone born after January 1, 1985 must have completed the Hunter Education Course to buy a hunting license in Montana.   The minimum age for hunting in Montana is 12.   Students must be at least 11 years old to register for the course.   A parent or guardian must accompany students under 18 to registration. Call FWP at 752-5501 for more information on any of these courses.
 

Whitefish Hunter Education:

Registration for the Whitefish Hunter Education Course will be held Thursday, March 1, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday March 3 noon-4 p.m., at the Whitefish City Library.   There will be no late registration.   Classes are held at Whitefish Central School, and are scheduled for 7-9 p.m. March 8, 12, 13,15,19,20, 22, 26; the field course is scheduled for Saturday, March 24. Lead Instructor: Leonard Howke, 862-4091.


Libby Hunter Education:

Registration: Thursday, February 15, 6-8 p.m., Libby Middle School

Classes: Feb 20,21,22,27,28.   Test night: March 1.   Field Course Saturday, March 3.

Contact: Challis Crismore, 293-7122; 293-4562.


Kalispell Hunter Education:

Registration is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Headquarters on North Meridian Road in Kalispell.   Classes will be held at Flathead High School from 6-9 p.m. on April 23 (orientation night),   24, 25, and 26.    The field course is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, and test night is April 30.     A special adult course will be held on the same schedule.   Lead Instructor: Andy Breland, 212-1183.


Thompson Falls Hunter Education:

Registration is March 12; call Jerry Shively, 827-3666 for more information.   Classes will be held March 26-30 from 6-9 p.m. at the Community Center in Thompson Falls; field course and test will be held Saturday, March 31.


Polson Hunter Education:

Registration and first night of class is scheduled for Monday, March 26, 7 p.m. at the Polson Middle School Cafeteria.   Classes continue from 7- 9 p.m. on March 27, 28,29, and April 2, 3 and 4.   The field course is held on April 7.   Contact Rudd Knudsen at 883-5409 for more information.


Bigfork Hunter Education:

Registration and first night of class will be on Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m., at the Bigfork High School Music Room.   Classes continue at 6-9 p.m. on April 24, 26, 30, May 2, 4, and 7.   The field course is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.   For more information, contact Jon Cuthbertson (756-2220) or Harlen Johnson (837-4455).


BOWHUNTER EDUCATION By state law, all first time bowhunters must pass the bowhunter education course in order to purchase a bow and arrow license.


Libby Bowhunter Education:

Registration will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 6-8 p.m. at Frontier Communications in Libby.   Classes are held March 12-16, evenings, at First National Bank Building in Libby.   Contacts: Rich Hjort, 293-7174; Al Kelly, 293-2900


Kalispell Bowhunter Education: March Class: Register in person from 8-5 weekdays, beginning March 5 at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Headquarters on North Meridian Road; pick up pre-course materials and schedule when you register. The course is held March 20 and 23, from 6:30-9 p.m.; the field course is held Saturday March 24, 9 a.m. to noon.   All classes are held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club north of Kalispell.   The class will be limited to 40 students. Other Kalispell area classes will be held in April, May, June, and July.  


--All hunter and bowhunter education classes are free of charge and open to hunters and non-hunters alike.   Bowhunter and Hunter Education courses are offered in many other northwest Montana communities.   These schedules and dates will be announced as soon as they are available.