Hunters can buy over-the-counter antelope licenses and surplus licenses for deer B, elk B and antelope beginning Aug. 5, but in some areas very few licenses are available so they’re expected to go fast.
Surplus licenses are those still remaining after Montana’s recent special hunting license drawings. The left-over licenses are sold on a first-come first-served basis. “B” licenses are for hunting antlerless deer or elk.
“We’ve seen a steady increase in the use of the Internet to purchase surplus licenses and while 12,000 are available, many hunting districts will be sold out in a hurry,” said Hank Worsech, the licensing bureau chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Helena. “Hunters seeking to buy these licenses should plan ahead to be online or at a license provider that’s open early.”
Online sales will begin at approximately 5 a.m. on Aug. 5. The licenses can be purchased online at fwp.mt.gov, then click “Buy a License”; or from any FWP license provider. FWP offices will open at 8 a.m. on Aug. 5 to accommodate walk-in customers.
Hunters may hold one either-sex and up to two doe/fawn antelope licenses, and may possess a total of seven deer B licenses in any combination via drawing, over-the-counter, or surplus purchase. The list of available licenses can be viewed online at fwp.mt.gov.
(Report by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Cover Photo: hunterstrailhead.com)
