Montana Guide School
Learn To Hunt The Right Way!
Fill Out The Form And Register Today!
Regular Registration: $750!
Early Bird Registration: Just $599!
Save Your Spot before August 11th at 12:00 Midnight to qualify for an early bird discount!
This isn't a classroom.
It's the real Montana backcountry.
Over three days, you'll learn the FULL process of the hunt. From the first track to the final pack-out.
We teach the 3 phases to every successful hunt
Stalking: You'll learn how to move through terrain without being seen or heard.
Shooting: You'll learn how to handle firearms safely and accurately while under pressure.
Harvesting: You'll learn how to honor the animal, ethically field dress and take care of the meat.
You'll Also Learn:
How to choose and use the right gear for any weather.
Emergency first aid every backcountry hunter should know.
Hard-earned tips and tricks from real guides who live this life.
How to lead others safely and responsibly through the wild.
When you leave this class, you won't just know how to hunt - you'll understand why it matters.
Who Is This For?
Youth who want to learn real outdoor skills, not just watch another YouTube video.
Adults who want to reconnect with the land and lean the Montana way.
Future Guides who want to lead others with confidence and respect.
Parents who want their kids to learn responsibility, resilience, and grit.
Beginners who want to learn the right way to hunt.
Experienced Hunters ready to deepen their skills and purpose.
If you believe the wilderness still has something to teach us - this is where to start.
Class Schedule
Friday, September 12th - 4:00 PM start
Saturday, September 13th - Full day training
Sunday, September 14th - Morning field session & Wrap Up
Spaces are limited. This is hands-on, in-the-field training - Not a seminar.
Session 1: Introduction to Hunting in Montana
(Friday, September 12th, 2025)
Content:
Welcome and overview of MOGA’s 50+ years advocating for the outfitting industry and conservation.
Montana’s Apprentice Hunter Program (MCA 87-2-116): Eligibility (ages 10+), mentor requirements (21+, licensed, within sight and voice contact), and restrictions (no black bear, mountain lion, or wolf licenses).
Licensing: Apprentice Hunter Certification ($5, online or FWP offices), conservation license, and species-specific licenses (e.g., deer, elk, antelope; reduced-cost for youth under 12).
2025-2026 hunting seasons: Youth-only deer hunt (October 16-17, 2025), general rifle seasons (e.g., October 25 - November 30, 2025, for deer/elk), archery seasons (September 6 - October 19).
Permits: Drawing processes, quotas, and application deadlines (e.g., June 1 for deer/elk permits).
Hunter orange requirements (400 square inches above the waist, except archery-only season).
Hunting’s role in Montana’s wildlife management and cultural heritage (e.g., funding via license fees).
Activities:
Welcome presentation by a MOGA representative, outlining the course schedule and goals.
Interactive discussion: Youth and parents share their hunting motivations and expectations.
Handout review: Montana FWP 2025-2026 hunting regulations guidebook.
Assessment: Short multiple-choice quiz on Apprentice Hunter Program rules and licensing basics (e.g., mentor requirements, eligible species).
Materials: FWP regulations guidebook, slideshow, quiz handouts.
Objective:
Introduce participants to the Apprentice Hunter Program, MOGA’s mission, and Montana’s hunting regulations, licensing, and permits, setting expectations for the course.
Session 2: Weapon Operations
(Saturday, September 13, 2025, )
Objective:
Master safe handling and operation of rifles, shotguns, and archery equipment for big game and small game hunting.
Content:
Firearm safety rules: Treat every firearm as loaded, keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, be sure of target and beyond.
Rifle and shotgun basics: Loading, unloading, aiming, and safe carries (e.g., trail, cradle).
Archery safety: Proper nocking, drawing, and release; checking bow condition.
Mentor responsibilities: Supervising apprentices to ensure safe weapon handling in the field.
Shot placement for ethical kills (e.g., heart-lung area for deer, elk, antelope).
Activities:Hands-on demonstration with dummy rifles, shotguns, and bows (e.g., safe carries, handing off equipment).
Practice: Loading/unloading dummy firearms and nocking arrows under instructor supervision.
Role-play: Mentor-apprentice scenarios for safe weapon handling in a mock hunt setup.
Assessment: Practical evaluation of safe handling techniques (e.g., demonstrate trail carry, safe arrow nocking).
Materials: Dummy rifles, shotguns, bows, safety gear, shot placement charts.
Session 3: Finding Animals and Access
(Sunday, September 14, 2025, )
Objective:
Learn to identify big game and navigate public, private, and Block Management Area (BMA) lands for hunting access.
Content:
Identifying big game: Mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and antelope by physical traits, tracks, scat, and habitat preferences.
Montana land access: Public lands (e.g., national forests, BLM), private lands (requires permission), and BMAs (FWP’s Block Management Program for enrolled private lands).
Using tools: GPS, onX maps, and compasses for navigation.
Scouting techniques: Glassing, reading sign (e.g., rubs, beds), and understanding animal behavior (e.g., elk rut, deer feeding patterns).
Mentor’s role: Guiding apprentices in selecting legal and accessible hunting areas.
Activities:
Outdoor exercise: Identify game sign (e.g., tracks, scat models) in a controlled field setting.
Navigation practice: Use onX maps to locate a mock hunting area on a BMA or public land map.
Glassing demo: Use binoculars to spot “game” (e.g., targets or photos) at a distance.
Assessment: Practical test on identifying a species and plotting a route to a hunting location.
Materials: Binoculars, onX maps, GPS devices, game sign models, BMA maps.
Session 4: Remaining Undetected and Stalking
(Saturday, September 13, 2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, 2 hours)
Objective:
Master techniques for remaining undetected by game and executing effective stalks.
Content:
Camouflage and scent control: Clothing, wind direction, and scent-eliminating products.
Stalking techniques: Moving quietly, using terrain/cover, and maintaining low profiles.
Reading wind and weather: How conditions affect animal behavior and stalking success.
Mentor responsibilities: Coaching apprentices on safe and ethical stalking practices.
Safety considerations: Maintaining line-of-sight with mentors, avoiding risky terrain.
Activities:
Outdoor simulation: Practice silent movement and stalking a “target” (e.g., instructor or marker) in a field setting.
Demonstration: Test scent control by moving upwind/downwind of a mock animal.
Group exercise: Plan a stalk based on a given terrain map and wind conditions.
Assessment: Practical evaluation of stalking technique (e.g., noise level, use of cover).
Materials: Camouflage clothing, scent-eliminating spray, terrain maps, wind indicators.
Session 5: Post-Harvest
(Sunday, September 14, 2025, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 3 hours)
Objective:
Learn to field dress, process, and store game, and stay safe in grizzly bear country, culminating in a simulated hunt.
Content:
Field dressing: Steps for gutting, skinning, and quartering deer, elk, or antelope to minimize waste.
Meat storage and transport: Cooling, packing, and preventing spoilage; avoiding bear attractants.
Grizzly bear safety: Carrying bear spray, making noise, securing campsites, and safe meat handling in bear country.
Tagging and reporting: Proper tagging of harvested game and FWP reporting requirements.
Mentor’s role: Overseeing safe processing, bear safety, and regulatory compliance.
Simulated hunt: Apply skills (safety, stalking, ethics) in a mock hunt scenario.
Activities:
Demonstration: Field dress a dummy animal (e.g., model or harvested game, if available).
Practice: Use bear spray and set up a bear-safe campsite in a field setting.
Simulated hunt: Youth-parent pairs plan and execute a mock hunt, demonstrating safety, stalking, and post-harvest steps under instructor supervision.
Closing discussion: Reflect on skills learned and plan for real hunts; overview of MOGA resources (e.g., mentorship, events).
Assessment: Practical evaluation of field dressing, bear safety protocols, and simulated hunt performance; certificate of completion awarded.
Materials: Field dressing kits, bear spray, dummy animal, tagging forms, MOGA certificates.
Additional Notes
Progression: The curriculum builds from foundational knowledge (regulations, safety) to practical skills (weapon handling, finding game, stalking) and culminates in post-harvest and a simulated hunt, ensuring participants are field-ready.
Cost: TBD per youth-parent pair to cover materials, with scholarships via MOGA’s Education Institute.
Certification: MOGA Education Institute certificate (not a Hunter Education Certificate, as apprentices don’t require it).
Alignment with MOGA’s Mission: Reinforces MOGA’s commitment to ethical outfitting, conservation, and youth engagement, supporting Montana’s hunting heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How young can students be to attend?
We accept students ages 10 and up.
Youth under age 13 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian for the full duration of the course.
Q: Do I need hunting experience to attend?
No. This course is perfect for beginners as well as those looking to sharpen their skills or pursue guiding in the future.
Q: Will I need to bring my own gear?
We’ll provide a detailed gear list after you register. You’ll need basic outdoor clothing, footwear, and personal items. We provide most of the gear you will need to conduct the course. We’ll cover gear selection in the course, and you don’t need to come with high-end equipment.
Q: Will there be live fire training?
No. Students will be taught safe firearm handling and shooting skills under close supervision using controlled, range-based instruction, but no live firing will occur.
Q: Will we go on a real hunt during the class?
This is a pre-season training course focused on hunting skills, safety, and ethics. You won’t harvest an animal during this event, but you’ll leave with the knowledge to do so legally, ethically, and effectively.
Q: Do I need a Montana hunting license?
No license is required to attend the class. We’ll cover how to get properly licensed and how the Montana regulations work.
Q: Can parents attend with their teens?
Yes. We encourage it. Parents often find the experience just as valuable. Plus, it helps reinforce the lessons back home.
Q: What’s included in the tuition?
- 3 days of expert instruction
- Hands-on field exercises
- Safety and survival skills
- Range time with experienced guides
- Printed materials and follow-up resources
(Lodging and meals are not included.)
Q: Is food provided?
Snacks and lunch are provided on day two. Students should bring their own water bottle.
Q: Is lodging provided
No. We’ll send local recommendations after you register.