These students are in the hunt for safety

ST. IGNATIUS – Now that she’s done her safety training, and showed off her skills to the boys, 11-year-old Morgan Shepherd can’t wait to go hunting with her dad.

“I’ve been going with my dad since I was little and I have always loved it,” Morgan said. “The girls bet the boys in class that we could shoot better than all of them. Of course they didn’t believe us. We showed them though; the girls did great. I am really looking forward to being able to shoot my first animal with my dad.”

Morgan, from Charlo, and 27 other soon-to-be hunters successfully completed a rigorous, five-day Hunter’s Safety Course in St. Ignatius last week. Foreign exchange student and Morgan’s sister for a year, Emma Oribasi, age 16, from Switzerland enjoyed the course.

“I wanted to share this experience with Emma,” Morgan said.

For more than 52 years, father to son and son to grandson, Andy Larsen, Kurt McPherson and Rusty Hunt taught responsible hunting.

Completion of their course qualifies students to apply for their state hunting license.

The course is a state requirement for anyone born after 1985 and most hunters believe it is a strong tool for educating and sharing what could be a rewarding experience.

With rising food prices, high unemployment and shrinking wages, responsible hunting is an option to keep freezers full and families fed.

“Responsible hunting is allowing many families to participate in wildlife management, controlling disease, while instilling a respect for animals,” said Rusty Hunt, a St. Ignatius instructor for the last three years.

Hunt recalled a trip where he and his family came across a cow elk seriously injured by a hunter.

“I quickly ended the animal’s misery by cutting her throat with a knife I had at the time,” Hunt said. “But it was a good example to show my kids about the importance and responsibility behind shooting an animal.”

The trainers focus on hunting and survival techniques, emergency first aid, compass usage, and preparedness like the importance of appropriate dress and carrying blankets and fire starters.

Five years ago, in an effort to encourage responsible hunting, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks created the opportunity for 12-and 13-year-olds to earn their Resident Youth Combination tags free of charge upon completion of a Certified Hunter’s Safety course. The Combination tags consist of Deer, Elk, Upland Bird and a general fishing license.

Deer season tags can be filled as early as Oct. 16 for hunters ages 12 and 13, a full eight days prior to general season to allow them the chance to fill their tags with less competition from seasoned hunters, park officials said.

“We believe that our young hunters still stand an excellent chance of filling their tags this season due to recent herd improvement,” said Vivica Crowser, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Information Manager. “Mule deer numbers have experienced drastic declines in many areas of Northern and Western Montana.

Deer hunters in Montana will find improving populations but a mix of hunting opportunities when the general season opens.

FWP’s website is fwp.mt.gov.