Wildlife Officials Recruiting Hunter Education Instructors

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking for hunter and bow hunter education instructors to meet student demand.

The Helena Independent Record reports that wildlife officials are particularly interested in finding female instructors, as there is a growing interest among female hunters. Fish, Wildlife and Parks has about 1,400 instructors and 500 bow hunter instructors.

Outdoor skills and safety supervisor Wayde Cooperider says he would like to recruit across the board, but is particularly looking to add more than 100 bow hunter instructors.

About 800 instructors actively teach at least one class in a given year. Even online students must complete a field certification, creating an additional need for instructors.

Students in hunter education classes have grown from about 6,500 in 2007 to a high of more than 8,400 in 2013.

Reported by the Associated Press