Hunter education classes have been scheduled for a number of communities in northwest Montana. All hunter education classes are free of charge. By state law, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, must have completed the hunter education course to buy a hunting license in Montana. To attend class and become certified, students must be at least 11 years old.
All students must register online for the following courses. When registering, students will note specific information and guidelines for the course included in the online posting.
Libby: First night of class is Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6-9 p.m. at the Libby Elementary School. Classes continue from 7-9 p.m. on Feb. 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20; field day is Saturday, Feb. 22, 8:30 a.m. to noon. For questions, contact Bill Swagger at 293-5256.
Columbia Falls: Register online from Feb. 1 through March 24. After registering online, all students must attend a brief mandatory orientation at the Columbia Falls Fire Hall on Tuesday, March 25, between the hours of 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; students must bring their permission slip with them at that time, and they will receive their manuals and assignments. Classes will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the Columbia Falls High School April 10, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 24; field course is Saturday, April 26; test night is April 28. For more information, call Lead Instructor Ray Garth at 862-9100.
Whitefish: Register online. Classes are held at the Whitefish Central School. Classes run from 6-9 p.m. on March 3, 4, 6 and 7. The field course is held on Saturday, March 8. Call Ronny Nail at 862-4509 for more information.
Trout Creek: Register online. Classes held at the Trout Creek Fire Hall; First class is held on March 24, 7-9 p.m., additional schedule will be determined that first night based on student schedules. For more information, contact Harold Hudson, 827-4010.
Bigfork: Register online beginning Feb. 1. First night of class is Wednesday, March 26, 7:05 p.m. at the Bigfork High School Music Room. The remainder of classes will be held 6-9 p.m. on March 31, April 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7. The field course will be held on Saturday, April 5. Call Jon Cuthbertson (755-2131) or Rod Day (309-2293) for more information; or call FWP at 752-5501.
Olney: Register online. Classes are held at the Olney Fire Hall, and run 5:30-8 p.m. on April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15. The written test and field course are scheduled for April 16. Contact Thad Briggs at 881-2819 for more information.
Kalispell: Register online. All students must attend a mandatory orientation on Saturday, April 5 at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at 490 North Meridian Road in Kalispell. At the orientation, students will pick up their manuals and receive course instructions. The orientation will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and students will need to stop in for the brief orientation any time during that period. Classes will be held at the Flathead High School from 6-9 p.m. on April 14, 15, 16, 17; test night is April 21. The field course will be held on Saturday, April 19. For questions, call FWP (752-5501) or Mike Corkish, lead instructor, 212-8122.