HAVRE – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Bowhunter Education course dates have been set for Havre, with an in-person course taught by volunteer instructors starting April 23 at the Havre City Hall Complex, and a field day for online students on April 27 at the Rookery WMA. These bowhunter education courses are free of charge.

In-person bowhunter education class

Bowhunter Education classes are taught by skilled volunteer instructors and offer hands-on learning experiences, mentoring opportunities, and the ability for students to ask questions of experienced bowhunters. Students must be at least 11-years old on the first day of class.

The class will be held in the EOC/Patterson room in the basement of the Havre City Hall Complex, and will take place from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. April 23, 25, and 26. The field day will be held on Saturday, April 27 at the Rookery WMA.

Students will learn about archery equipment, how to handle equipment safely, basic survival skills, hunting ethics, wildlife management, game identification, landowner-hunter relations, and Montana bowhunting laws and regulations.

Students need to pick up a course manual from the FWP office in Havre at 2165 US Hwy 2 East and read and complete the manual quizzes prior to the first day of class.

Students can sign up for Hunter and Bowhunter Education courses by visiting fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education and look for an in-person course. The direct link for this in-person class is https://register-ed.com/events/view/210885 . Students MUST be registered before the class begins. Please print, sign, and bring the documents listed on the registration page to the first night of class.

In-person bowhunter ed field day for online students

In addition, instructors are offering an in-person field day for any students aged 12-17 who completed the online course. The field day will be offered on Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 a.m-11 a.m. To register for the field day, go here: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/210889 . Students will need the field day qualifier certificate from the online course to register for the field day. Students MUST be registered before the class begins. Please print, sign, and bring the documents listed on the registration page.

Who needs bowhunter education?

All first-time bowhunters in Montana must complete a Bowhunter Education course or show proof of a prior year’s archery license from another state or province to be fully certified to hunt during an archery-only season. Students must be at least 11 years of age to take a Bowhunter Education class.

For more information, contact the course instructor noted on the registration page, or call the FWP Havre field office at 406-265-6177.