Hunters can officially stop holding their breath and start checking their screens. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has announced that the drawing results for deer permits, elk permits, and nonresident combination licenses are officially out.

Now in its sixth year of digital processing, the department’s streamlined online system has once again outpaced the old-school methods, delivering results faster than a spooked elk disappears into the timber.

Finding the Verdict

Hunters eager to know if they’ll be hitting the hills or hitting the couch this season have a few ways to track down their results:

• The Digital Route: Applicants can head to fwp.mt.gov, click on the MyFWP Login in the upper right-hand corner, and navigate to the “Lookup Draw Results” tab.
• The Personal Touch: For those who prefer a human voice over a loading bar, results are also available by calling any FWP Regional office or the central licensing line at 406-444-2950.

The Next Round: Upcoming Deadlines

For those who didn’t get the news they wanted—or for those looking to add more to their freezer—the application season isn’t over yet. FWP reminds hunters to keep a close eye on the calendar:

• May 1: The final cutoff for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and bison applications.
• June 1: The deadline for elk B, deer B, and antelope.

Note: All applications must be submitted via the online portal, at an FWP office, or through an authorized FWP Ambassador. Most offices are open for business Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whether the draw was kind or the “unsuccessful” notification hit hard, the clock is already ticking on the next opportunity to get into the Montana backcountry.