Two hunters at Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge Photo credit: Tony Ifland, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Montana’s rich outdoor legacy is receiving a modern boost through a new initiative aimed at young enthusiasts. A collaboration between the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and onX is set to encourage students to embrace outdoor activities, reinforcing the state’s natural heritage.
The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday, targets Montana students aged 12-17. It promotes completion of a certified hunter safety course, rewarding participants with a complimentary one-year subscription to onX Hunt Premium, a well-regarded mapping service that provides detailed landownership information crucial for hunters, especially on public lands.
“Montana’s outdoor heritage is one of our greatest traditions, passed down from generation to generation,” stated Superintendent Susie Hedalen. She emphasized the partnership’s role in fostering health, confidence, and stewardship among young Montanans, applauding onX for its commitment to conservation and public land access.
The program aims to nurture responsible outdoor activities, underscoring the value of hunter education that encompasses firearm safety, ethical practices, and conservation, while also addressing the significance of understanding land access — an area where onX plays a pivotal role.
Kevin Vine, Business Development Manager at onX, expressed pride in the collaboration. “Knowing where you stand isn’t just onX Hunt’s tagline, it’s essential for every hunter,” he remarked, highlighting the partnership’s goal to instill ethical and responsible hunting values in the next generation.
OPI is committed to broadening access to hunter education across Montana, with efforts to increase student enrollment in Hunter’s Education courses. By partnering with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the initiative seeks to enhance educational programs, ensuring students acquire the necessary skills to safely and responsibly partake in Montana’s outdoor traditions.
Christy Clark, Director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, noted, “These kinds of partnerships give an extra boost to our education program, which is critical for kids to learn how to be safe and ethical hunters, while also understanding the important role private landowners play in Montana’s hunting heritage.”
More information, along with the student submission link, can be accessed on the Welcome to the Hunter Education Incentive Partnership page.
