Outdoor Briefs

People can donate hunting licences to veterans

From FWP

A Montana law allows residents and nonresidents to donate their hunting license to a disabled military veteran or disabled active duty service member.

The disabled veteran or active armed forces member must be working with an organization that uses hunting as part of the rehabilitation process.

While one cannot choose the organization to receive a donated license, the disabled veteran or armed forces member who receives the license will be a Purple Heart recipient and have a 70 percent or greater disability rating.

Each license must be donated or surrendered before the beginning of the general hunting season. One cannot repurchase the same license again during the license year.

For more information on the program, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Click Disabled Veterans Hunt License Donation.

Youth-only deer season set

From FWP

Montana’s annual youth-only deer hunt — set for Oct. 20-21 — will come a week earlier this year.

The two-day youth hunt is open to:

• legally licensed 12- to 15-year-olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by a nonhunting adult at least 18 years of age;

• and properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10 to 15 years of age

• who are accompanied by a nonhunting adult “mentor” at least 21 years of age.

This hunt is for deer only. All regulations apply. Elk hunting is prohibited.

Young hunters must wear hunter orange and follow all hunting district regulations, which may limit them to certain species or require a special permit.

Donations sought for ‘Hunters against Hunger’

From FWP

Anyone purchasing a Montana hunting license has an opportunity to also make an on-the-spot donation to Hunters Against Hunger.

“A Montana law allows individuals to make a contribution that will help the Montana Foodbank Network to process donated wild game for free distribution by Montana food banks to help feed people in need,” said Ron Aasheim, spokesman for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Helena.

When one purchases or applies for a deer, elk, antelope or bison license or permit the license provider will ask if he or she wishes to donate to Hunters Against Hunger, Aasheim said.

FWP collected $63,000 from hunters in 2015. The funds are channeled through the Montana Foodbank Network to help pay for butchering and distribution of donated processed game.

The minimum donation is $1. Donations can also be made along with online hunting license purchases. Visit FWP on line at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Buy a License.”