Hunting license deadlines

Fall turkey hunting

Hunters planning to pursue wild turkeys in parts of western Montana this fall must apply for a special permit by July 28. The fall turkey hunting season begins Sept. 1. Fall turkey hunting is by special permit in six portions of western and southwestern Montana. Other areas have a general license turkey season.

Applicants must have a 2011 Conservation License and ALS number and they must pay $5 for the nonrefundable drawing fee. Prospective fall turkey hunters interested in a special permit may apply by mail using an official application, at a regional office or online at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page under regulations.  

Mail-in applications can be printed from the FWP Web site and must be received by 5 p.m. on July 28. Mail to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, License Section, Fall Turkey Drawing, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701. Online applications must be completed by 11:30 p.m. on July 28.

Black bearhunting

The deadline for hunters to pre-purchase licenses for the fall black bear hunting season is Aug. 31. A black bear hunting license may be purchased after Aug. 31at an FWP office or online, but it may not be used until five days after the license is issued. The black bear archery season opens Sept. 3, and the general black bear hunting season opens Sept. 15.

Black bear hunters must have successfully completed FWP's Black Bear Identification Test and must present a certificate of completion when purchasing a black bear license. The training and test are available online at fwp.mt.gov under Education, click on Hunter Education.

Mountain lion hunting

The deadline to purchase a mountain lion hunting license for the general season or to apply for the special limited-entry license drawing is Aug. 31.

Mountain lion hunters may choose either to apply for a special license available through the drawing that is valid only in certain hunting districts or to purchase a general mountain lion license. Hunters cannot do both. Hunting in most Region 1 and 2 hunting districts will be only by special mountain lion licenses.

A general mountain lion license purchased over the counter after Aug. 31 may be obtained only at an FWP office or online at fwp.mt.gov under Online Services. Lion licenses purchased after Aug. 31 may not be used until five days after the license is issued.

Mountain lion hunters can apply for a special license at fwp.mt.gov under Online Service, or they may apply at regional FWP office. Those who prefer to apply by mail can go to the FWP Web site on the Hunting page and click Licenses and Permits for a mail-in paper form.