MISSOULA, Mont. A new youth program in western Montana is integrating firearm safety into a broader curriculum of hunting ethics, wildlife conservation, and outdoor survival skills. Organized by the Montana Outdoor Heritage Foundation, the initiative targets teens in rural communities, offering weekend workshops that include supervised range time, field dressing demonstrations, and discussions on fair chase principles. Organizers say the goal is to prepare the next generation of hunters to act as stewards of the land and responsible firearm owners. Local wildlife officers and veteran hunters volunteer as instructors, ensuring a mix of technical skill and cultural knowledge. Parents are encouraged to attend alongside their children, reinforcing the family and community aspect of hunting traditions.