Where Can You Take the Montana Hunter Safety Course?
The Montana hunter safety course is available online at ilearntohunt, approved by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). Where you finish up depends on your age when you register, not just where you start.
Hunters 18 and older complete the entire process online, with no in-person step required. However, hunters 11 to 17 complete the same online course, then attend a required in-person Field Day before they're certified.
Here's what you need to know about where to find each part of the Montana hunter safety course, whether you qualify for the online-only path or not.
Where Can You Find the Montana Hunter Safety Course?
Montana splits its hunter education path by age, with a free in-person option available at any age.
- If you're 18 or older, you can complete the entire requirement through the online course at ilearntohunt.
- If you're 11 to 17 when you register, you'll complete the same online course, then attend a required in-person Field Day.
- Montana also offers a free in-person, instructor-led classroom course for anyone 10 and older.
Note: FWP field days fill up fast. Opportunities are limited after October 1 each year, so completing the online course in the fall could mean waiting until spring for a field day.
The table below is a quick reference for where to register for each option.
Where to Find the Montana Hunter Safety Course | ||
Format | Register/Access | Notes |
Online (ages 18+) | ilearntohunt Montana course | Self-paced, under 3 hours. No Field Day required. No residency restriction. |
| Online + Field Day (ages 11-17) | ilearntohunt Montana course | Online portion, then a required 4-hour in-person Field Day. |
| Classroom Course (age 10+) | FWP Hunter Education | Free. In-person and instructor-led. |
Many states, including Montana, now let at some new hunters take the course online for at least part of the hunter safety certification. To learn more about what to expect before you register, read about how long the course takes.
Who Needs to Take the Montana Hunter Safety Course?
Montana requires hunter education for anyone born on or after January 1, 1985, before they can buy or apply for a hunting license.
There's no residency restriction on the online course, so out-of-state hunters can register the same way Montana residents do.
For young hunters:
- Hunters ages 10 and 11 can take the free in-person classroom course and hunt as an Apprentice, but they won't be fully certified until the year they turn 12.
- Hunters 18 and older who haven't finished hunter education yet can also purchase a hunting license once they're certified through any approved path, since Montana doesn't offer a separate apprentice license for adults the way some states do.
To make sure you're certified in time for opening day, check the FWP hunting seasons page.
How to Take Your Montana Hunter Safety Course
Getting certified in Montana comes down to knowing which path applies to you based on your age.
- Visit the ilearntohunt Montana course page and confirm your age before you start.
- Complete the self-paced online modules. Hunters 18 and older must score at least 85% on the exam; hunters 11 to 17 complete the online portion to qualify for a Field Day.
- If you're 18 or older, print your permanent certificate immediately. If you're 11 to 17, print your Field Day qualifier certificate and register for a session near you.
Passing the online course doesn't guarantee a Field Day spot, so start your certification well ahead of the fall hunting season (or the season you plan to hunt), since Field Day spots can fill up fast as hunting season approaches.
Is the Field Day Age Range 11-17, or 12-17?
Both numbers show up depending on where you look, and the difference matters for an 11-year-old.
Montana FWP's own page describes the online-plus-field-day path as covering ages 12 to 17, including students who'll turn 12 by January 16 of the current license year. ilearntohunt's course page, however, opens online registration at age 11.
In practice, an 11-year-old can start the online course, but should confirm Field Day eligibility timing with FWP before assuming a spot is guaranteed.
What's Included in a Montana Field Day, and Why Is It Required?
For Montana's Field Day, hunters 11 to 17 who pass the online exam bring their qualifier certificate to a required, in-person, 4-hour session led by FWP-certified instructors.
Instructors evaluate students on hands-on skills the online course can't fully test, including:
- The four main rules of firearm safety, safe carries and obstacle crossings
- Loading and unloading firearms from vehicles
- Basic animal identification
- Shoot/don't-shoot scenarios
- Safe zones of fire
- Shooting positions
Students who can't demonstrate proficiency in these areas don't pass and can't hunt until they complete a Field Day successfully. Hunters 18 and older skip this step entirely and receive their certificate as soon as they pass the online exam.
How Much Does the Montana Hunter Safety Course Cost?
Costs stay simple regardless of which path applies to you, since Montana doesn't charge separately for the Field Day.
Costs: Montana Hunter Safety Course | |
Course | Cost |
| ilearntohunt online course | $49.95 |
| Field Day (ages 11-17) | Free |
| Classroom Course (age 10+) | Free |
| Duplicate Hunter Education Card (if needed) | Free, via MyFWP |
The $49.95 online course fee covers your certificate whether you're 18 and done, or 17 and heading to a Field Day next.
Start Your Montana Hunter Safety Course Online Today
Getting hunter safety certified in Montana starts with one online course, and where you finish depends on your age.
Get started online today, or check FWP's classroom course listings if the online path isn't the right fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I take the Montana hunter safety course online?
A: Yes, you can take the Montana hunter safety course online starting at age 11, with no residency requirement. Hunters 11 to 17 must also attend a Field Day, while hunters 18 and older finish entirely online.
Q: Do I need to attend an in-person class for the Montana hunter safety course?
A: It depends on your age. Hunters 11 to 17 must attend a Field Day after completing the Montana hunter safety course online, while hunters 18 and older don't need any in-person step.
Q: How old do you have to be to take the Montana hunter safety course online?
A: You must be at least 11 years old to start the Montana hunter safety course online. Hunters 10 and 11 who want to hunt sooner can instead take the free in-person classroom course and hunt as an Apprentice.
Q: Do you have to be a Montana resident to take the course online?
A: No, Montana's online hunter safety course has no residency restriction. Out-of-state hunters can register for the ilearntohunt course the same way Montana residents do.
Q: What happens if I'm 10 or 11 and want to hunt in Montana?
A: A 10- or 11-year-old can take Montana's free in-person classroom course and hunt as an Apprentice under that provision. They won't be fully hunter-safety-certified until the year they turn 12.
Q: How much does the Montana ilearntohunt course cost?
A: The ilearntohunt online hunter safety course costs $49.95, regardless of residency. The required Field Day for hunters 11 to 17 doesn't carry an additional fee.
