If deer or elk hunting is on your Montana to-do list this year, remember that the deadline to apply for deer and elk permits—and nonresident combination licenses—is April 1. Instead of waiting until the last minute, as some do, go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website and click “Buy and Apply.” They also put together short instructional videos to walk both residents and nonresidents through the process, so there’s no guesswork involved.
FWP has also tried to make things easier with the MyFWP mobile app, which lets you store your licenses, permits, and E-Tags right on your phone—even when you’re way out in the middle of nowhere (the best place in the world to be!) with no service. If you applied last year, there’s a one-click reapply option that saves you from searching through old applications.
If you still need some more information, FWP offices are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and their call center is running extended hours 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through April 1 at 406-444-2950. You can get your application in before the deadline sneaks up on you—because the only thing worse than missing a shot is missing the deadline to even take one!
Additional hunting permit deadlines extend into May and June, and more details can be found at fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/hunting-licenses.
Background photo credit: Cradioman from Getty Images