Montana Hunting
A Bull Elk
© Vertical Media
Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks
REGION 3
1400 South 19th
Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone: (406) 994-4042
Phone: (406) 994-4043
Fax: (406) 994-4090
E-mail: fwpgen@state.mt.us
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For detailed hunting and liscense info, visit:
http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/hunting/
Montana hunting licenses are issued through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Licenses and literature may be obtained at many stores and outdoor shops throughout Montana.
Tags for some species of big game are only available through
drawings.
All Hunters
You must have a Montana hunting license to hunt any of Montanas game animals. To purchase a Montana hunting license, any person born after January 1, 1985
must show a certificate of completing a hunter education course from:
Montana; OR, Any other state or province.
This law became effective October 1, 2003 (MCA 87-2-105). Hunter education is NOT required if you were born on or prior to January 1, 1985.
Montana's program follows the standards established by the International Hunter Education Association. By meeting these standards, the
Montana hunter education certificate is recognized and honored in all of North America.
A student must be at least 11 years old to become certified. This minimum age requirement ensures that the student is mature enough to understand the
course material and physically strong enough to handle hunting equipment during class. There is no maximum age limit. Anyone is welcome to take
the course, especially parents who want to accompany their child.
Classes are a minimum of 12 hours in length. You must attend all of the sessions and pass a final exam to become certified.
Bowhunters
A Montana bow and arrow license, plus the proper Montana hunting license, is required if you want to bowhunt during the special archery season.
To purchase a bow and arrow license, you must:
Show a certificate of completing the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (http://www.nbef.org) course from Montana or any other state or province; OR,
Show any prior years bowhunting/archery stamp, tag, permit, or license from any state or province. If you cannot produce this license, you may sign an affidavit, at any
FWP office, stating that you previously purchased such a license. This allows you then to purchase a current years Montana bow and arrow license.
Note: All bowhunters born after January 1, 1985 must also show proof of completing a hunter education program, see above.
Hunting Access:
Bull Moose beddign down in flowers
© Wild by Nature Gallery
All hunters should have a good understanding of Montana hunting access laws.
The law requires every hunter to have permission from the landowner, lessee or agent before hunting on private property
regardless of whether the land is posted or not. By definition, hunting includes game retrieval and traveling to an area you
intend to hunt. It is every hunter's responsibility to know the land ownership of the area he intends to hunt and any land use restrictions that may apply there.
Private Land Hunting Opportunities
Montana has approximately 23,000 landowners who own nearly 60 million acres of private land, much of which offers excellent hunting opportunities.
Hunters must obtain landowner permission to hunt on all private land, which often can be obtained through simple courtesy and communication between the
hunter and the landowner. Remember, while orange paint and No Trespassing signs indicate that the land is private, they do not necessarily mean that no hunting
is allowed. Ask first, and the gate may open.
Tips for Gaining Permission to Private Lands
There are a few things to keep in mind that will greatly improve results when attempting to secure hunting access to private land. Show courtesy to the landowner
and make hunting arrangements by calling or visiting at times convenient to the landowner. Whenever possible, plan ahead and secure permission well in advance
of the actual hunting date. Provide complete information about yourself and your hunting companions, including vehicle descriptions and license numbers.
Explain what type of hunting you wish to do, and and be sure to ask any questions which can help clarify the conditions of access.
Follow the landowners instructions, and bring with you only the companions for whom you obtained landowner permission. Be sure to thank the landowner
after your hunt, and consider sending a subsequent note to show your appreciation for being granted the privilege of hunting on private land.
The Block Management Program
This program is a cooperative effort between FWP, landowners, and land management agencies to provide free public hunting access to private and isolated public
land. Follow the link for detailed information.
Other Private Land Hunting Opportunities
There are numerous other programs and opportunities for hunting on private lands in addition to the Block Management Program. These include conservation
easements negotiated by FWP and created to preserve wildlife habitat. These areas generally offer some level of public hunting access. Lands enrolled in the
Upland Game Bird Habitat Enhancement Program and Migratory Bird Stamp Program also offer hunting opportunities. Contact the Regional Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Office in the particular region where you plan to hunt for details about these opportunities. For other private land hunting opportunities contact the Montana Outfitters
and Guides Association.
Public Land Hunting Opportunities
Owl perched on a fencepost
© Wild by Nature Gallery
Montana boasts over 30 million acres of state and federal lands, nearly one third of the state. Much of that land provides
excellent hunting opportunities. However, like all good hunting ground, finding a productive area that is legally accessible takes some effort.
At a minimum you will need a good set of maps and some time to spend for scouting to determine available habitat and game populations.
Use rules and restrictions on public lands differ depending on the managing agency. The Montana Access Guide to State and Federal Lands is a
good source for detailed information about accessing public land.
The first thing a hunter will need is a good set of maps. Fish, Wildlife, & Parks publishes the Directory of Montana Maps which lists all of the agency
and local government contacts that provide land ownership information. Also, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, the
US Geological Survey, or a local sporting goods store are good sources for hunting area maps. Land ownership changes over time. It's a
good idea to verify public ownership with your local land management agency.
Access to State Lands
School Trust Lands
There are 5.5 million acres of state school trust lands in Montana. These lands are managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)
with revenue collected from the use of these lands used to support Montana Schools. All hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities that occur on state
school trust land require possession of a State Recreational Use License which is available from all license agents where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
BLM and Forest Service maps are typically the best source for identifying state school trust land.
Remember, only those state lands that are legally accessible via a public road, navigable river, or adjacent federal lands are available for hunting without
permission from the adjacent landowner. You must have permission from the landowner before crossing private land to access state or federal lands.
State Wildlife Management Areas
Montana Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) are owned and managed by the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
and provide free public hunting opportunities statewide. All WMAs have limitations on the available season of use. Some areas allow camping
and motorized use is restricted to designated routes. Hunting on WMAs is open to all resident and nonresident hunters with a valid hunting license and/or permit.
Purchase of the State Recreational Use License is not required to recreate at these sites. Contact the appropriate regional office for specific information about
a particular area.
Access to Federal Lands
National Forest Lands
National forests in Montana comprise nearly 16 million acres. Most national forest lands that are legally accessible via a public road, navigable waterway,
or adjacent state or federal land are open to hunting. Land use restrictions do apply to some areas so its always a good idea to check in with the local Ranger
District Office. Individuals must have permission from the landowner to cross adjacent private land to hunt on National Forest Lands. National forest maps are
available from all Forest Service District Offices, or by contacting Forest Service Northern Region Office at (406) 329-3511.
BLM Lands
Two Elk assesing the situation
© Jess Lee Photography
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages over 8 million acres of mostly range land and some forested land across the state. Most BLM lands that are
legally accessible via a public road, navigable waterway, or adjacent state or federal land are open to hunting. You must have permission from the landowner to
cross adjacent private land to hunt on BLM land. The BLM sells maps that identify BLM land. Maps are available from all BLM Area Offices, and by contacting
the BLM State Office in Billings at (406) 896-5004.
National Refuges and Waterfowl Production Areas
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) manages ten national wildlife refuges in Montana most of which allow hunting during some portion of the season.
USFWS also oversees hundreds of waterfowl production areas that provide waterfowl, upland bird, and limited big game hunting opportunities.
Hunting opportunities on wildlife refuges are generally quite restrictive and in some cases prohibited altogether. You should contact refuge personnel
before hunting on any national wildlife refuge. For general information on the National Wildlife Refuge System in Montana, contact the Charles M. Russell
National Wildlife Refuge in Lewistown at (406) 538-8706 or follow this link.
US Bureau of Reclamation Lands
The US Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) administers approximately 200,000 acres of land and 100,000 acres of surface water in Montana. Where there is legal
public access, BOR managed land is open to hunting, fishing and other recreational activity. Motorized travel is restricted to existing roads.
Access Montana
Access Montana was created to improve access to state and federal lands and to help reduce the conflicts that arise when sportsmen
utilize public lands. Program funding is used for agreements that provide access corridors to public lands, land owner incentives like fencing,
cattle guards, and water crossings on access routes, signing to indicate public/private land boundaries, and increased patrolling where appropriate.
FWP relies on a cooperative approach that considers the needs of landowners, sportsmen, and land managers to resolve conflicts over access to
state and federal lands.
A Hunter's Pledge
The future of the sport depends on each hunters behavior and ethics. Therefore, as a hunter, I pledge to:
Respect the environment and wildlife.
Respect property and landowners.
Show consideration for nonhunters.
Hunt safely.
Know and obey the law.
Support wildlife and habitat conservation.
Pass on ethical hunting traditions.
Strive to improve my outdoor skills and understanding of wildlife.
Hunt only with ethical hunters.
By following these principles each time I go afield, I will give my best to the sport, the public, the environment and myself. The responsibility to hunt ethically is mine; the future of hunting depends on me.
- from the Izaak Walton League
Never forget the rules of safe firearm handling:
Always treat every gun as if it were loaded.
Always point the muzzle of your gun in a safe direction.
Always be sure of your target and beyond.
Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
- contains info from Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks
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