If your idea of a perfect spring morning involves trekking through the brush in search of antlers, this is for you. The annual pilgrimage to the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is just around the corner, and if you want to be at the front of the pack, you’ll need more than just a sturdy pair of boots—you’ll need a WiFi connection.

Registration for vehicle entry opens April 1, and while the date might suggest a prank, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) isn’t joking about highway safety.

The New Rules of the Road

Remember the “good old days” of camping out on the shoulder of Highway 83 for three weeks like you were waiting for front-row tickets to a 1980s rock concert? Those days are gone. To keep Highway 83 from becoming a literal parking lot, the FWP is sticking with the digital registration system.

Here’s the deal for 2026:

• The Window: Register online at fwp.mt.gov between April 1 and April 19.
• The Luck of the Draw: Don’t worry about being the first person to click “submit” at midnight. The list is randomized, so as long as you sign up within that window, you’ve got as good a shot at a low number as anyone else.
• The Big Reveal: You’ll get your entry number via email during the week of April 27.

Out-of-Staters Have a Seven-Day Sit-Out

If you’re coming from across state lines, due to a new law, nonresidents are benched for the first week of the season on WMAs with seasonal closures.

• The Wait: Nonresidents can’t start their shed hunt at Blackfoot-Clearwater until May 22, 2026.
• The Cost: You’ll also need to snag a $50 Nonresident Shed Hunting License.
• The Loophole: This only applies to WMAs. If you’re hunting sheds on other public lands that aren’t WMAs, you’re still good to go—provided you have the right licenses/permits.

Opening Day: May 15

When the clock strikes noon on May 15, the gates swing open. Here is how to navigate the chaos like a pro:

NOTE: If you forget to register by April 19, you can still show up on opening day. Just be prepared to wait at the East Entrance behind every single person who remembered to check their email.

Why the Red Tape?

By moving the staging area to the East Entrance and using a lottery-style entry, FWP has managed to clear up the congestion on Highway 83. It’s safer for the drivers, better for the elk, and significantly less stressful for the hunters.

Ready to get your gear together? Mark your calendars for April 1, and keep your eyes on the FWP website!