All hunters and anglers are required by law to stop as directed at all
department check stations.
Closed Areas
State Game Preserves and National Parks are closed to hunting of big
game animals. For hunting privileges on Federal Wildlife Refuges, inquire
at the local refuge office. Big game hunting privileges on Indian Reservations
are limited to tribal members only.
Wildlife Management Areas with big game winter range, unless otherwise
posted, are closed to public entry from the day following the end of the
general deer/elk season or December 1, whichever is later, to May 15 each
year, as posted. EXCEPTION: Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA closes November 10.
(Back to Top)
Clothing Color
Any person hunting or accompanying hunters as an outfitter or guide
must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of hunter orange (fluorescent)
material above the waist, visible at all times.
The hunter orange requirement is not in effect during the special archery
seasons, which are specifically listed in these regulations as: "ARCHERY
ONLY SEASON." Bowhunters pursuing big game animals with bow and arrow
must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of hunter orange (fluorescent)
above the waist if firearm season is open in the hunting district and for
the species being hunted or pursued. (Back to Top)
Evidence of Sex Requirements
It is illegal to possess or transport the carcass of any big game animal
unless evidence of the animal's sex and species remains naturally attached
to its carcass or a portion of the carcass.
In most cases, the easiest way to meet this requirement is to leave
the animal's head attached to the carcass. However, if the animal's head
is removed, some other evidence of sex must remain naturally attached
to the carcass or a portion of it.
The following are considered lawful evidence of sex:
- Horned or Antlered Game Animals: Male--head
with the horns or antlers naturally attached, penis, testicles or scrotum.
Female--head or udder (mammaries).
- Bears and Mountain Lions: Male--testicles or bacculum.
Female--vulva.
Evidence of an animal's sex and species must be retained until the
animal's meat is processed (cut and wrapped) or until a bear or
mountain lion is checked by a department employee or delivered to a taxidermist.
If required by a department employee, hunters harvesting a big game
animal must physically return to the kill site for inspection and on demand
show complete head. (Back to Top)
Glandular Scents
Natural or artificial glandular scents may be used by licensed hunters
to attract game animals or game birds by spraying or pouring scent on the
ground or other objects. Hunters may not create a scent station where the
scent continues to be dispensed without the hunter's direct action, such
as an automatic device which drips or otherwise continues to dispense scent.
Scents may not be used to attract bears. No scents other than glandular
may be used for attracting animals, but other scents may be used to mask
human odor. (Back to Top)
Firearms
Caliber-- There is no caliber limitation during the
general big game hunting season (except as specified under shotgun) for
the taking of big game animals in Montana. However, the use of poisonous,
explosive or deleterious substances on or in any bullet or projectile is
prohibited. Match the caliber and firearm to the size of the animal hunted.
Shotgun-- Hunters are prohibited from shooting deer
or elk with shotguns, except with lead loads of 0 buck or larger, or rifle
slugs.
Restrictions for traditional handgun/muzzleloader areas only:
Muzzleloader-- firearm must meet the following criteria:
1) not capable of being loaded from the breech of the barrel; 2) not loaded
with any prepared paper or metallic cartridge; 3) charged with black powder,
pyrodex or an equivalent; 4) is ignited by a percussion, flintlock, matchlock
or wheellock mechanism; 5) must be minimum of .45 caliber; 6) no more than
two barrels; and 7) lead projectile only, no sabots.
Handguns-- "traditional" handgun must meet
the following criteria: 1) not capable of being shoulder mounted; 2) has
a barrel of less than 10 1/2 inches; 3) chambers a straight wall cartridge,
not originally developed for rifles. (Back to Top)
Hunter Education--Firearm and Archery
Youth under the age of 17 years applying for the 1997 special drawings
must be at least 12 years of age before September 15, 1996, and provide
required proof of successfully completing a Hunter Education Program at
the time of applying for the special drawings.
Resident hunters 12-17 years of age are required by law to have a Montana
Hunter Education Certificate of Competency in the safe handling of firearms
before they may purchase a hunting license. The Certificate of Competency
is awarded to resident youths who have successfully completed Montana's
Hunter Education Program.
New residents of Montana 12-17 years of age need to check with their
local Fish, Wildlife and Parks Office to determine if their out-of-state
hunter education certificate can be accepted and to receive a Montana Hunter
Education Certificate.
Non-resident youths 12-17 years of age are required by law to submit
a copy of their home state hunter education certificate verifying successful
completion of the course when applying for any hunting license in Montana.
Both resident and nonresident youths 12-17 years of age are required
to purchase the bow and arrow stamp to archery hunt during the ARCHERY
ONLY season, and must provide a Certificate of Competency in the safe handling
of bow hunting tackle from the National Bowhunter Education Foundation
(NBEF), in addition to the Certificate of Competency in the safe handling
of firearms. Duplicate Montana Bowhunter Education certificates may be
obtained by contacting any FWP regional office or the Hunter Education
Office in Helena. Nonresidents who have completed the NBEF in another state
may obtain a duplicate certificate by contacting the responsible state
resource agency or bowhunting organization responsible for administering
the program. Bowhunters seeking information where to find a NBEF course
in their state may call the National Archery Hotline at 1-800-461-2728.
Adult (18 years age or older) bowhunters must show proof of NBEF Bowhunter
Education Certificate or present any prior years bowhunting/archery stamp,
tag, permit or license from any state or province to purchase a Montana
bow and arrow license.
Montana law adopted in 1993 requires members of the armed forces and
their dependents taking advantage of the 30-day residency exception to
present a Montana Hunter Education Certificate or similar certificate from
any state or province when purchasing any Montana license. (Back to Top)
Hunting Hours
Authorized hunting hours for the taking of big game animals begins one-half
hour before sunrise and ends one-half hour after sunset each day of the
hunting season. See the official sunrise-sunset table. (Back to Top)
Littering
A person convicted of littering while hunting, fishing or camping shall
forfeit their license or privileges to hunt, fish, trap or camp within Montana
for a period of one year. (Back to Top)
Marked Animals
It is legal to shoot big game animals that have radio collars, neck bands
or markers, but markers and radio collars must be returned to the Department
of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. (Back to Top)
Outfitters and Guides
Outfitters and guides are licensed by the Montana Department of Commerce.
For information, verification or a complete listing of licensed outfitters
and guides, telephone the Department of Commerce at (406) 444-3738.
Any outfitter utilizing federal lands or lands not held in fee title
by the outfitter must be licensed by the Department of Commerce.
It is illegal to hire an outfitter not licensed by the Department of
Commerce. (Back to Top)
Property Laws
Permission to Hunt Big Game -- Montana Law requires
that big game hunters must have permission of the landowner, lessee or
their agent before hunting big game animals on private property, regardless
of whether the land is posted or not.
Obtain Permission Early -- Approximately 70 percent
of Montana's hunting districts are comprised of private land. In some hunting
districts, it is difficult to obtain access to private lands. Hunters should
secure landowner permission before applying for a special license/permit
in these areas.
Trespass -- Montana law states that lands can be closed
to the public either by posting the land or through verbal communication
by landowners or their agents. If permission is granted, the landowner
may revoke permission by personal communication at any time. An orange
post means no trespassing without permission.
- Posting Requirements -- Notice denying entry to private
land must consist of written notice on a post, structure or natural object
or by painting a post, structure or natural object with at least 50 square
inches of fluorescent orange paint. In the case of a metal fencepost, the
entire post must be painted. This notice must be placed at each outer gate
and all normal points of access to the property, as well as on both sides
of a stream where it crosses an outer property boundary line. Hunters are
reminded that they must have landowner permission before hunting big game
animals on private property, regardless of whether the land is posted or
not. (Back to Top)
Tagging and Transporting Big Game
Tagging -- Immediately after harvesting a game animal,
hunters must cut out the proper month and the day of the harvest from the
appropriate license/tag and attach it to the animal in a secure and visible
manner. If more than one date is cut out, the license/tag is invalid. The
properly validated license/tag shall remain with the meat until consumed
(including cold storage). If quartered, the license/tag should remain with
the carcass or largest portion of the carcass. The license/tag is to remain
attached to the hide of a bear or mountain lion until it is tanned.
Transporting -- Properly tagged game animals that
comply with the "Evidence of Sex Requirements" and that were
lawfully taken by the license holder may be transported by an individual
other than the license holder. The name, address and phone number of the
person who killed the animal should accompany the carcass. It is a violation
of the Federal Lacy Act to transport an illegally taken game animal across
state boundaries. Federal Lacy Act violations could result in a criminal
penalty of $20,000 and 5 years in prison. All shippers of fish, game or
nongame birds, game animals, furbearing animals, the skins of furbearing
animals or predator animals, or parts thereof are required to label all
packages offered for shipment by parcel post, common carrier (airlines
or UPS, etc) or otherwise. The label should be securely attached to the
address of the package and shall plainly indicate the names and addresses
of the consignor and consignee and the complete contents of the package
(87-3-114, MCA). (Back to Top)
Traps--Do Not Disturb
Montana trappers are permitted to trap furbearing animals during designated
seasons; predatory, and some non-game animals most of the year. hunters
afield who find a trap are prohibited from disturbing the traps or trapped
animals. (Back to Top)
Weed Free Hay Programs
Certain areas of Montana require the use of certified weed free hay,
straw and pellets for livestock to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.
Please contact offices of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife
and Parks, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and
Wildlife Service and Montana Department of Agriculture for information
about the area where you will be hunting.
The Montana Department of Livestock requires a veterinary
inspection certificate and an import permit prior to entry into
Montana.
A brand inspection certificate is required for movement within
Montana. For information call the Department of Livestock at
(406)444-2976.
ATVs operating on public land must be registered and display
current decals. Residents must register their ATV at their County
Treasurer's office. Nonresidents must register their ATV in their
home state or purchase a temporary OHV use permit from any Fish,
Wildlife and Parks office. The permit is $5 and expires on December
31, 1997.
(Back to Top)
Avoid Violations of the Law
Hunters are prohibited from wasting or rendering unfit for human consumption,
any part of a game animal, game bird, or game fish that is "defined
as suitable for food." For big game animals excluding mountain lions,
all of the four quarters above the hock, including loin and backstrap are
considered suitable for food. A person harvesting a black bear or mountain
lion is prohibited from abandoning head or hide in the field.
Hunters are prohibited from shooting on, from, or across the right-of-way
of a publicly maintained road which is open to vehicular traffic. The right-of-way
includes the road, shoulders, berms and borrow pits and generally extends
from fenceline to fenceline along fenced roadways.
Hunters are prohibited from loaning or transferring their license to
another person or using a license issued to another person.
Hunters are prohibited from hunting or taking any game animal without
having a valid license on their person.
Hunters are prohibited from hunting or taking any game animal by the
aid or with the use of any set gun, jacklight or other artificial light,
trap, snare, or salt lick, nor may any such aforementioned device to entrap
or entice game animals be used, made, or set.
Youths under 14 years of age must be in the company of a parent, legal
guardian or other responsible adult when carrying or using firearms for
any reason.
Hunters may possess, transport, sell, or purchase naturally shed antlers
or the antlers with a skull or portion of a skull attached from a game
animal that has died from natural causes and that has not been unlawfully
or accidentally killed. It is illegal to possess a sheep head picked up
in the wild.
A motorized vehicle or aircraft cannot be used to concentrate, drive,
rally, stir-up, corral or harass wildlife except predators. (Back to Top)
Proper validation is easy:
Immediately after kill a big game animal, all hunters must properly
validate the appropriate license/tag and securely attach it to the animal
so that is clearly visible.
Locate the appropriate month and day the animal was killed and completely
cut away (notch out) the month and day designations. The license/tag shown
below, for example, has been properly validated for an animal taken on
November 17.
Be Careful! The correct and appropriate month and day designations
must be removed completely from the license/tag. Removing more than one
month or one day designation invalidates the license/tag. (Back to Top)
Recreational Use of State Land
A State Lands Recreational Use License, which is available from FWP license
agents, is required to conduct most recreational activities (including hunting
and fishing) on state land. Pamphlets which provide information regarding
the rules, regulations and restrictions governing these activities on state
land are available from FWP license agents, FWP offices and the Department
of Natural Resources and Conservation, 1625 11th Avenue, Helena MT 59620
(406) 444-2074 (Back to Top)
Protected -- Gray Wolf
Gray wolves are present in Montana and are protected by State and Federal
law. To assist in wolf management, please report any wolf sightings or sign
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (406) 449-5225, or the Flathead National
Forest (406) 755-5401, or any Fish, Wildlife and Parks headquarters. (Back to Top)