Anticipation permeated the bedroom of 11-year-old Braden Eoff as he tossed and turned impatiently. Twenty miles away, his 10-year-old cousin Brody Henry also struggled to sleep. The boys were filled with excitement as they looked forward to joining their grandpa, Mike Farmer, and uncle/dad, Trevor Henry for the rite of passage that was opening day of their first big game hunting season. Earlier in the year, the 2015 Montana Legislature had passed the Apprentice Hunter law, which allowed youth aged 10-17 to hunt with a mentor prior to passing a hunter safety and education course. The law meant the cousins would experience their first hunt together, and sooner than expected.
Farmer recalled how their faces lit up when they heard the news, “the look in their eyes was priceless, it can’t be described in words.”
Farmer, Eoff and the Henrys visited the local Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP) office to complete the paperwork. In doing so, the mentors (Mike and Trevor) agreed to accompany and supervise the apprentices (Braden and Brody) and remain in sight and voice contact with them at all times while in the field. The four spent considerable time exploring the outdoors, learning about habitat and wildlife and practicing safety and sportsman ethics that had passed through generations. They purchased conservation and other applicable licenses. Clothes were set out; the truck was packed and all that was left was passing a few hours before a knock on the door meant it was time.
Laws, Regulations and Education
MTFWP has several programs to help youth participate in hunting both safely and ethically.
The Apprentice Hunter program, which was amended by the 2017 Legislature to increase the age (10 years at time of license purchase) and prohibit the apprentice from obtaining a black bear, mountain lion or wolf license, is one of these. Apprentices can hunt for two license years before they must successfully complete a hunter safety and education course. The program does not apply to bowhunting.
Outside the Apprentice Hunter program, Montana state law allows youth who are 12 years of age by January 16, of the current hunting season, to hunt any game species with a valid license during an open season after August 15. To purchase a Montana hunting license, all individuals born after January 1, 1985 must complete a Montana Hunter Safety and Education Course or an approved safety course from any other state. To hunt with a bow and arrow, Bowhunter Education Certification is also needed.
These classes are free and open to individuals who are at least 10 years of age on the day the class begins. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their child. To be eligible for a license, participants must attend all classroom sessions, a field course, and pass a final exam. Bowhunter Education Certification requires that youth be at least age 11 and that they also pass Hunter Safety education.
Courses are located statewide and generally run from January through September. For a full schedule, visit https://www.register-ed.com/programs/32/page:1. Classes focus on safe and proper handling of firearms (carrying, loading and unloading, transporting and controlling access) and general safety, as well as ethics, responsibility and respect. Participants learn about field dressing, starting a fire, creating hunt plans, game care to prevent meat spoilage and some general first aid.
Wayde Cooperider, MTFWP Outdoor Skills and Safety supervisor, also encourages instructors to teach students practical skills such as how to ask a landowner for permission to hunt on private land. “I talk with youth about the importance of looking someone in the eye, words they can use to ask permission,” he said. “It is so touching to see the impact learning these skills has on kids. You can literally see them gaining confidence.”
Asked if all kids should take Hunters Safety and Education, Cooperider agreed. However, he added that it doesn’t mean all are ready to hunt. “You earn a piece of paper that allows to you harvest an animal, to take a life. That requires tremendous responsibility and respect – for the wildlife, the land, landowners and themselves.”
MTFWP offers legally licensed youth 12-15, or certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters from 10-15, a special youth waterfowl and pheasant weekend each September, and a youth deer-only hunt in October. For more information, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunting.
Family Tradition
Since that sleepless night three seasons ago, Braden and Brody have both passed their hunter’s safety education and been on numerous hunts. In December 2017, they each harvested their first elk.
“Even though I’m more experienced,” said Braden, “the excitement is the same every time I harvest an animal.”
Brody agrees and added, “even hunts that don’t end in harvest have value. It’s all about the adventure and being with family.”
Hunting is an important tradition for many Montana families, and one that is a strong economic driver for the state. In 2017, Montana had 240,702 hunting license holders (up from 231,936 in 2007). Of these license holders, residents purchased 823,819 tags, permits and stamps; and nonresidents purchased 144,476. Gross revenue from these purchases was $30 million.
The total number of students participating in regular hunter’s education classes in Montana has been slightly increasing over the last 10 years, largely due to women. Typically, a classroom of 12-17 year-olds is about 40-45 percent female.
Farmer says, “I so enjoyed watching the boys as they helped their older cousin harvest her first deer last season, in the same field where another granddaughter harvested a nice two-point whitetail a few years ago. Hunting with my grandkids is so special. I love spending time with them.”
Trevor also recognized the significance of passing down his family’s hunting heritage. “The opportunity to teach my son and my nephew some of what I know, and to watch them grow as hunters and young men has been incredible.”
Eoff summed it up saying, "For me, hunting is about pursuing and harvesting food for your family and spending time with your favorite people in the whole world."
To learn about the Apprentice Hunter Program and other licensing and regulation information, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunting. For more information, including dates and locations of Hunters Safety Education, how to register, and how to volunteer, visit fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter.
Montana 4-H offers projects in Wildlife, Sport Fishing, Shooting Sports, Outdoor Adventure and Forestry, among others. For more information, contact your local Extension office or visit montana4h.org.