Fish, Wildlife and Parks news
ONLINE HUNTER AND BOWHUNTER EDUCATION AVAILABLE TO ADULTS
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers hunter and bowhunter education on the Internet to anyone 18 years and older. Following the online coursework, students must sign up for a scheduled field day. There are field days available throughout Montana every spring and into the fall for Hunter Education and winter through summer for Bowhunter Education.
State law requires anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 to take a hunter education course and complete a field course before purchasing a hunting license in Montana. The $25 online course allows adults to take the required hunter education course at their convenience.
This year, hunters will be required to purchase a Montana bow and arrow license prior to applying for any archery only permit or license.
For more information go to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click on the Education tab and then click “Hunter Education”.
HUNTERS’ BEAR ID TRAINING REQUIRED
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminds all black bear hunters of the responsibility to avoid mistakenly shooting a grizzly bear during the state’s upcoming spring black bear hunt. Montana’s spring black bear hunting season begins April 15.
Before first-time bear hunters can purchase a black bear hunting license, they must be certified by successfully completing FWP’s bear identification training. FWP offers a bear identification training course on its website under the Education tab at fwp.mt.gov. Under “Hunter Education,” choose “Bear Identification Program”.
FWP urges bear hunters to take advantage of the free bear identification training and to ensure they have the required certification before purchasing a hunting license.
NEW BOAT VALIDATION DECALS REQUIRED
Owners of motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft need to get new, free 2017-2020 validation decals for their watercraft soon. The current blue decals expired Feb. 28.
Boaters who have permanently registered their boats, sailboats, or PWC must still obtain two free boat validation decals every three years at FWP regional and area offices, or by going to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov; click Boat Validation Decals.
For more information, visit FWP’s webpage or call FWP at 406-444-2535.