87-2-810. Apprentice hunting certificate. (1) A person who is 10 years of age or older and who has not completed a hunter safety and education course pursuant to 87-2-105 is eligible to apply for an apprentice hunting certificate that entitles the holder to obtain and use hunting licenses and permits in accordance with this title and the provisions of this section.

(2) A person may obtain an apprentice hunting certificate for no more than 2 license years before the person must complete a Montana hunter safety and education course pursuant to 87-2-105. Completing a Montana hunter safety and education course prior to turning 12 years of age does not preclude a person who is at least 10 years of age from being eligible to obtain and use hunting licenses pursuant to this section. As used in this subsection, "completing a Montana hunter safety and education course" means passing a hunter safety and education course or a bowhunter education course provided pursuant to 87-2-105(4) through (6), including the required test and field day.

(3) A person who obtains an apprentice hunting certificate must be in the company of a mentor when hunting and shall conduct all hunting in accordance with this section and within the terms and conditions of the license or permit issued.

(4) To qualify as a mentor who will accompany an apprentice hunter, a person must:

(a) be at least 21 years of age;

(b) if the apprentice hunter is under 18 years of age, be related to the apprentice hunter by blood, adoption, or marriage, be the legal guardian of the apprentice hunter, or be a person designated by a parent or legal guardian as being capable and qualified to assist the apprentice hunter;

(c) have completed a hunter safety and education course pursuant to 87-2-105;

(d) have a current Montana hunting license;

(e) have agreed to accompany and supervise the apprentice hunter and remain within sight of and direct voice contact with the apprentice hunter at all times while in the field; and

(f) confirm that the apprentice hunter possesses the physical and psychological capacity to safely and ethically engage in hunting activities.

(5) Subject to the conditions of this section, the department shall issue an apprentice hunting certificate upon payment of a fee of $5. This fee must be deposited in the state special revenue fund account to the credit of the department for hunter education purposes.

(6) The department shall issue an apprentice hunting certificate that allows an apprentice hunter to be accompanied by multiple mentors.

(7) Except as provided in subsection (8), a person who obtains an apprentice hunting certificate may purchase any unlimited hunting license or permit by any applicable deadline for the fee established pursuant to this chapter, including:

(a) a reduced cost license for which the applicant qualifies. An apprentice hunter who is under 12 years of age is eligible to obtain the unlimited reduced cost licenses available to a person who is 12 years of age.

(b) a wild turkey tag if it is issued in an unlimited number.

(8) A person who obtains an apprentice hunting certificate is not eligible:

(a) to obtain a Class A-2 special bow and arrow license without having:

(i) completed a bowhunter education course; and

(ii) turned 12 years of age by January 16 of the license year;

(b) to obtain a black bear license;

(c) to obtain a mountain lion license;

(d) to obtain a Class D-3 resident hound training license;

(e) to obtain a wolf license;

(f) to participate in a drawing with a limited quota;

(g) to obtain a mountain sheep license in any area where the licenses are issued in unlimited numbers; or

(h) to obtain an elk license if the apprentice hunter is under 15 years of age.

(9) An apprentice hunter who violates the terms of this section or a mentor who violates the terms of this section while accompanying an apprentice hunter is subject to the loss of privileges granted by this section for up to one full license season.

History: En. Sec. 38, Ch. 449, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 427, L. 2017.