87-2-105. Safety instruction required. (1) A hunting license may not be issued to a resident person under the age of 18 years unless the resident presents to the person authorized to issue the license a certificate of competency as provided by this section.
     (2) A hunting license may not be issued to a nonresident person under the age of 18 years unless the nonresident presents to the person authorized to issue the license a certificate of competency, as provided in this section, or a certificate verifying that the nonresident has successfully completed a course in the safe handling of firearms in any state or province.
     (3) A hunting license may not be issued to a member of the regular armed forces of the United States or to a member of the armed forces of a foreign government attached to the armed forces of the United States who is assigned to active duty in Montana and who is otherwise considered a resident under 87-2-102(1) or to a member's dependents, as defined in 15-30-113, who reside in the member's Montana household, unless the member or dependent presents to the person authorized to issue the license a certificate of competency, as provided in this section, or a certificate verifying that the member or dependent has successfully completed a hunter safety course in any state or province.
     (4) A bow and arrow license may not be issued to a resident or nonresident unless the resident or nonresident presents to the person authorized to issue the license an archery license issued for a prior hunting season or a certificate of completion from the national bowhunter education foundation. Neither the department nor the license agent is required to provide records of past archery license purchases. As part of the department's bow and arrow licensing procedures, the department shall notify the public regarding bow hunter education requirements. As part of those public information efforts, the department shall notify by mail all individuals who purchased a Class A-2 special bow and arrow license during the 1990-91 hunting season.
     (5) The department shall provide for a course of instruction in the safe handling of firearms and for that purpose may cooperate with any reputable organization having as one of its objectives the promotion of safety in the handling of firearms. The department may designate as an instructor any person it finds to be competent to give instructions in the handling of firearms. A person appointed shall give the course of instruction and shall issue a certificate of competency in the safe handling of firearms to a person successfully completing the course.
     (6) The department shall provide for a course of instruction from the national bowhunter education foundation and for that purpose may cooperate with any reputable organization having as one of its objectives the promotion of safety in the handling of bow hunting tackle. The department may designate as an instructor any person it finds to be competent to give the national bowhunter education foundation instruction. A person appointed shall give the course of instruction and shall issue a certificate of completion from the national bowhunter education foundation to any person successfully completing the course.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 267, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 16, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 100, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 36, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 36, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 55, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 148, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 9, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 241, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 319, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 84, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 129, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 110, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 167, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 261, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 408, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 49, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 91, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 289, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 417, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 546, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 169, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 235, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 417, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 26-202.1(2)(a), (part(6)); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 210, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 217, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 219, L. 1993.