All first-time bowhunters must pass the state’s education course in order to purchase an archery license, according to a reminder sent out recently from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
In Montana all archery education courses and field days must be completed by July 31 of each year.
Registration for each class will be done online. For more information call FWP at 752-5501.
The following courses have been scheduled around Northwest Montana:
Kalispell Area: All classes are held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club north of Kalispell. The first course will be held April 2 and 5 from 6:30-9 p.m. The field course is Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Course enrollment is limited to 40 students and available to any one 11 years of age or older. Other Kalispell area classes following a similar format will be held April 25, May 2 and July 11.
Youth: A bowhunter education class for students 11-17 years of age only will be held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club north of Kalispell on April 11 and 12 (6:30-9 p.m.) and April 13 (Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Although the class is held in the Kalispell area, it is open to any student.
Kalispell South: Bowhunter classes will be held at Spirit Quest Archery on May 7 and 9, 6:30-9 p.m. The field course will be held on Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This course is designed to pick up students from Somers/Lakeside/Bigfork and south. Call Aaron Lasco at Spirit Quest Archery at 756-5455.
Whitefish: Bowhunter classes will be held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club, 6-9 p.m. on June 13 and 14. The field course is held Saturday, June 15, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call Ron Nail, 862-4509.
Columbia Falls: Classes will be held at the North Valley Community Center, 6:30-9:00 p.m. on June 11 and 13. The field course is scheduled for Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. Test night is scheduled for Monday, Jun 17, 6:30-9 p.m. Call Dave Yeats, 892-4527.
Libby: Register online. Orientation will be Wednesday, March 6 from 5:30-7pm at Frontier, 114 E. Fourth Street, Libby. Bring signed forms to complete registration. Study materials will be presented. Manuals must be read prior to the first night of class. Classes will begin on Monday, March 11, and continue March 12, 13, 14. For additional information or questions, contact Rich Hjort, 293-7174, or Bill Swagger, 293-5256.
Online Bowhunter Education Opportunity: Bowhunter education students who are 18 or older may take the bowhunter education course online. Montana accepts an independent study method that involves a two-part process — an online course, completed on your own time and your own schedule, followed by a field day exercise led by certified Montana bowhunter education volunteer instructors. During the field day, students must demonstrate that they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to become certified. Students must complete a field day within 365 days from the time they successfully complete the online portion. At the field day, students must present a certificate showing that they have passed the online portion of the course. Students under 18 are required to take the conventional classroom-based course of instruction.
At the present time, field day options are limited. After passing the online course and receiving a certificate online, participants may register online for the Saturday, July 20, field day to be held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club in Kalispell. Call FWP at 752-5501 for more information.