Hunters And Anglers Gear Up For A Fresh Season In Montana
The start of March marks the beginning of a new license year for hunters and anglers across Montana.
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks says March 1 opened sales for 2026 hunting and fishing licenses and applications for special draw permits. Recreationists can also renew their conservation licenses, which help support access to state lands.
This year’s license season includes several changes stemming from legislation passed by the Montana Legislature in 2025 and new regulations adopted by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission.
One major change is how licenses are sold in person. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is transitioning to a new “License Ambassador” program that moves in-store license sales to the state’s online licensing system. Officials say the change replaces outdated point-of-sale equipment and allows more businesses to participate in selling licenses. Hunters and anglers can still buy licenses online or at regional FWP offices.
Several rule changes also affect big game hunting.
New deer regulations are designed to protect mule deer populations and manage hunting pressure. Many mule deer B licenses will now be valid only on private land, depending on the hunting district. Resident hunters will also be limited to holding three deer licenses, including a general deer license, down from a previous limit of up to eight. Nonresidents remain limited to one deer B license unless they draw a combination license.
Elk regulations also changed in some districts. The quota for the 799-20 elk license is set at 325, and hunters with elk permits in districts 702, 704 and 705 may qualify for a second antlerless elk B license. In northwestern Montana, all Region 1 elk B licenses will be valid only on private land.
The commission also created new black bear permits in two bear management units in south-central Montana, with an April 1 application deadline.
Other updates include changes to antelope archery license quotas and new rules for bighorn sheep licenses in Montana’s five unlimited districts, which will now be issued through a drawing.
Lawmakers also approved new regulations for shed hunting. Nonresidents must now purchase a $50 shed hunting license to collect antlers on wildlife management areas and must wait seven days after spring openings before doing so.
Several resident and nonresident hunting license fees also increased under the new laws, including base hunting licenses, migratory bird licenses and big game combination licenses.