The Montana Master Hunter Program is a project of One Montana, a nonprofit organization committed to preserving the essence of Montana by strengthening community action to address challenging issues and drive positive change. By providing necessary tools, facilitating productive dialogue, and connecting resources to needs, One Montana acts as a catalyst to unlock the potential of our communities.
“The Montana Master Hunter Program will develop a network of highly skilled, ethical, safe hunters that will serve as an example to others and help establish positive relationships with private landowners. RMEF is proud to support this innovative program.”
One Montana (1MT) launched the Master Hunter Program to develop more educated and skilled hunters, and to improve cooperation between hunters, private landowners, and wildlife managers.
The Master Program is a unique and rigorous course which includes in-person classroom learning as well as field work. Instructors include ranchers, farmers, university faculty, professional shooting instructors, wildlife managers, wildlife biologists, legislators, first aid personnel, as well as back country survival and equipment experts.
Upon graduation, enrolled students become Certified Master Hunters who participate in social, continued learning, and stewardship projects.
The program increases hunter competencies in the following critical areas, among others (Click here for the Curriculum by Subject):
Hunting skills and overall knowledge of hunting techniques, hunt planning and use of specialized gear, GPS, onX maps, etc.
Individualized shooting and marksmanship instruction.
In-depth knowledge of farming and ranching operations, management for habitat and access considerations.
State and federal public land access, public land management opportunities, and the importance of public lands.
Continuing Education opportunities focused on specific species and/or methods. I.e. Bowhunting 101, Waterfowl 101, etc.
The program has three unique goals:
1. Build trust and improve understanding and cooperation between all land and wildlife stakeholders.
2. Bring awareness to the complexities of public and private land management and wildlife management.
3. Create a unique and powerful community of educated, like-minded hunters who hunt together, keep each other informed, and are equipped to share knowledge and guide other hunters in their own communities across Montana.
“Though most hunters in Montana are good stewards and responsible hunters, concern over ethics is something we hear every year from both landowners and hunters alike. The Montana Master Hunter Program is an innovative solution to improve hunter ethics, while also creatively looking at new access opportunities.”