How do I get hunter education in Montana?
In Montana, anyone born after January 1, 1985 needs hunter education to buy or apply for a hunting license: take the free in-person course from age 10, the online course plus a 4-hour field day at 12 to 17, or the online-only course at 18 and older, or hunt with a mentor as a $5 apprentice for up to two years.
Data updated October 27, 2026. Every answer below is from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks's own pages, with the date each was checked.
Montana hunter education at a glance
| Question | What the agency says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who has to take hunter education in Montana? | Anyone born after January 1, 1985 must complete a hunter education course from Montana, another state or a Canadian province before buying or applying for a Montana hunting license. | Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026 |
| How old do you have to be to take hunter education in Montana? | The in-person course is open from age 10, but students 10 and 11 hunt as apprentices and are not fully certified until the year they turn 12. The online plus field day route starts at 12 (or turning 12 by January 16 of the license year), and the online-only course is for 18 and older. | Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026 |
| Can you take Montana hunter education online? | There are three routes: a free in-person course for ages 10 and up with classroom sessions, a field day and a final exam; online plus a required in-person field day for ages 12 to 17; and an online-only course for ages 18 and older. | Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026 |
| Is there a field day in Montana? | Students 12 to 17 who take the online course must pass a 4-hour in-person field day, bringing the qualifier certificate earned by passing the online exam; instructors grade firearm handling, zones of fire, shoot or don't shoot scenarios and more. Students 18 and older who certify online need no field day, though FWP encourages a voluntary one. Field days are scarce after October 1 and may not return until spring. | Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026 |
| How much does Montana hunter education cost? | The in-person, instructor-led course is free. | Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026 |
| Can you hunt in Montana before taking the course? | Anyone 10 or older, resident or nonresident, can buy a $5 Apprentice Hunter Certification and hunt for up to two license years without hunter education. The mentor must be 21 or older, certified if born after January 1, 1985, hold a current Montana hunting license, carry the signed mentor form, stay within sight and direct voice contact, and accompany only one apprentice; for apprentices under 18 the mentor must be a relative or guardian or be designated by the guardian. Apprentices cannot draw limited-quota licenses or permits, cannot get bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion or wolf licenses, and cannot get an elk license under age 15. | Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026 |
| How do you replace a lost Montana hunter education card? | Duplicate hunter education and bowhunter education certificates can be ordered online through MyFWP using the Hunter/Bowhunter Education Certificate Form. | Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026 |
| Does Montana accept hunter education cards from other states? | Montana accepts hunter education courses issued by any other state or any Canadian province. | Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026 |
Who has to take hunter education in Montana?
Anyone born after January 1, 1985 must complete a hunter education course from Montana, another state or a Canadian province before buying or applying for a Montana hunting license.
Source: Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026.
How old do you have to be to take hunter education in Montana?
The in-person course is open from age 10, but students 10 and 11 hunt as apprentices and are not fully certified until the year they turn 12. The online plus field day route starts at 12 (or turning 12 by January 16 of the license year), and the online-only course is for 18 and older.
Source: Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026.
Can you take Montana hunter education online?
There are three routes: a free in-person course for ages 10 and up with classroom sessions, a field day and a final exam; online plus a required in-person field day for ages 12 to 17; and an online-only course for ages 18 and older.
Source: Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026.
Is there a field day in Montana?
Students 12 to 17 who take the online course must pass a 4-hour in-person field day, bringing the qualifier certificate earned by passing the online exam; instructors grade firearm handling, zones of fire, shoot or don't shoot scenarios and more. Students 18 and older who certify online need no field day, though FWP encourages a voluntary one. Field days are scarce after October 1 and may not return until spring.
Source: Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026.
How much does Montana hunter education cost?
The in-person, instructor-led course is free.
Source: Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026.
Can you hunt in Montana before taking the course?
Anyone 10 or older, resident or nonresident, can buy a $5 Apprentice Hunter Certification and hunt for up to two license years without hunter education. The mentor must be 21 or older, certified if born after January 1, 1985, hold a current Montana hunting license, carry the signed mentor form, stay within sight and direct voice contact, and accompany only one apprentice; for apprentices under 18 the mentor must be a relative or guardian or be designated by the guardian. Apprentices cannot draw limited-quota licenses or permits, cannot get bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion or wolf licenses, and cannot get an elk license under age 15.
Source: Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026.
How do you replace a lost Montana hunter education card?
Duplicate hunter education and bowhunter education certificates can be ordered online through MyFWP using the Hunter/Bowhunter Education Certificate Form.
Source: Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026.
Does Montana accept hunter education cards from other states?
Montana accepts hunter education courses issued by any other state or any Canadian province.
Source: Montana FWP, checked October 27, 2026.
What this page leaves out
These could not be confirmed on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks's pages when this page was checked, so they are left out rather than guessed:
- Online course price (FWP's page does not list it). Check fwp.mt.gov.
- Hunter education deferral (FWP describes the Apprentice Hunter program, not a deferral). Check fwp.mt.gov.
- Fee for a duplicate certificate (not stated on the FWP page). Check myfwp.mt.gov.
Hunting in Montana by the numbers
In 2024, 233,193 people held a paid Montana hunting license, down 1.7% from 237,312 in 2022, the 31st most of the 50 states. They bought 865,309 licenses, tags, permits and stamps (689,892 resident, 175,417 nonresident) for a gross cost of $43,842,028, 76.6% of it paid by nonresidents. Against Montana's 1,137,233 residents in 2024 that is 20.5 license holders per 100 people, though license holders include nonresidents.
| Licenses sold in | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid hunting license holders | 237,312 | 232,394 | 233,193 |
| Resident licenses, tags, permits and stamps | 875,607 | 689,683 | 689,892 |
| Nonresident licenses, tags, permits and stamps | 242,808 | 172,356 | 175,417 |
| All licenses, tags, permits and stamps | 1,118,415 | 862,039 | 865,309 |
| Gross cost paid by residents | $11,147,267 | $10,220,634 | $10,274,263 |
| Gross cost paid by nonresidents | $31,822,706 | $30,932,923 | $33,567,766 |
| Gross cost, all buyers | $42,969,973 | $41,153,556 | $43,842,028 |
| Rank among the 50 states by license holders | 30th | 30th | 31st |
Source: USFWS license data, checked October 27, 2026. USFWS counts each license year in the apportionment year two years later (licenses sold in 2024 are apportionment year 2026). License holders are not a count of hunters: hunters exempt from buying a license are left out, and some hunters buy licenses in more than one state. Population: Census Bureau 2024 estimate.
How much Montana land has public access?
PAD-US 4.0 lists 33,873,292 acres of Montana with public access, 36.0% of the state's 94,107,691 acres: 26,859,507 acres open access and 7,013,785 acres restricted access (a permit, draw, season or other limit).
| Public access land, PAD-US 4.0 | Acres | Share of the state |
|---|---|---|
| Open access | 26,859,507 acres | 28.5% |
| Restricted access | 7,013,785 acres | 7.5% |
| Managed by federal agencies | 28,024,389 acres | 29.8% |
| Managed by state agencies | 955,600 acres | 1.0% |
| Managed by local, private, tribal and other managers | 4,893,302 acres | 5.2% |
| All public access land | 33,873,292 acres | 36.0% |
Source: PAD-US 4.0 (USGS), 2024 release, checked October 27, 2026. PAD-US does not record whether hunting is allowed: some of this land is closed to hunting, so check each property's rules with its manager.
What to do next
- Start the course on the agency's page: fwp.mt.gov. Rules change each season, so read the current page before you buy a license.
- Getting ready for deer season? Hunt Ready's 8-week whitetail track puts the course in week 1, with fitness, shooting practice and field skills after it.
- Hunting data for the state: Montana hunting.
- Hunter education in other states