Bowhunter education courses are being offered across Northwest Montana starting with classes in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls. Schedules and dates for other areas will be announced as soon as they are available.
By state law, all first time bowhunters must pass the bowhunter education course in order to purchase an archery license in Montana. Registration for each class, except for the course on April 26, can be done online at fwp.mt.gov at the following address: http://my.register-ed.com/event/studentchooseevent. To register for the April 26 class, visit the Region 1 FWP office beginning April 9. For more information call FWP at 752-5501.
Kalispell Area: All Bowhunter Education classes are held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club north of Kalispell. The first course will be held April 3 and 6 from 6:30-9 p.m.; the field course is held Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 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 beginning April 26, May 3, and July 5.
Youth Bow Ed: 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 12 and 13 (6:30-9 p.m.) and April 14 (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: Classes will be held at Spirit Quest Archery on May 15 and 17, 6:30-9 p.m. The field course will be held on Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This course is designed for students from Somers/Lakeside/Bigfork and south. Call Spirit Quest Archery (Aaron Lasco) at 756-5455.
Whitefish: Classes will be held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club, 6-9 p.m. on June 7 and 8; the field course is held Saturday, June 9, 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 12, 14, and 18; the field course is scheduled for Saturday, June 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information call Dave Yeats at 892-4527.
Online Bowhunter Education Opportunity: Bowhunter Education students age 18 or older may take the bowhunter education course online. Log on to: http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/mt/index.htm. Montana accepts an independent study method that involves a two-part process— this 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. However, anyone may use the online program as a resource to learn about bowhunting.
At the present time, field day options are limited. You may register online for the Saturday, July 21 field day to be held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club in Kalispell. You may also register for a field day if one is available in your area by talking to a local instructor. Call FWP at 752-5501 for more information. Please note, in Montana all bow-ed courses and field days have to be completed by July 31 of each year.