Sitka Gear is generously sponsoring this course through a Sitka Gear Ecosystem Grant! The grant support includes financial aid for students in need as well as clothing layers from Sitka donated to each student.
The MWS Aspiring Hunters course is all about learning to pursue big game animals like elk and deer in wild, public spaces. Over the course of this 10-day expedition, students will learn wildlife habits and behavior, explore hunting strategies for elk, and learn valuable skills related to backcountry hunting logistics.
This course aims to give aspiring hunters all the tools they will need to plan, prepare for, and execute ethical and successful hunts in remote and wild places.* Course curricula will include: navigation with map and compass + GPS technology, lessons in backcountry campcraft and cooking, Leave No Trace® land stewardship principles, and group communication and decision-making. There will be a heavy emphasis on learning about wildlife tracks, scat, calls, and behaviors—particularly those of the Rocky Mountain Elk—as well as best practices for hunting smart in bear country. Hunting regulations and field care of game will also be covered. Each student will have multiple opportunities to lead the group as the Expedition Leader of the Day to gain experience with newly acquired leadership skills.
This course is instructed by a graduate of the Montana Master Hunter program, and sponsored by Sitka Gear with support from OnXmaps. For more information about MWS core curriculum and expedition progression see Expedition Life. If you have additional questions, please check out our FAQ page or reach out to enrollment@montanawildernessschool.org