& 1901 2001 JMoijtaria TisJj,. “Wildli fe C8l VarH^ “Sun River Challenge” In 2001, FWP celebrates 100 years as a state agency. “Sun River Challenge, ” a commemorative oil painting by renowned Western artist Larry Zabel, depicts Montana s effort to preserve fish and wildlife habitat on the Rocky Mountain Front that began in 1947 with the creation of the Sun River Game Range. Welcome To Montana Table of Contents What’s New In 2001?.3 Reminders.3 & 5 Licenses Available.4-5 &toqtaqa Frequently Asked Questions.6-7 Who Do I Call? Phone Numbers.8-9 fWUdhfeC8ltParHs Preparing For Your Hunt.9-10 Licensing Requirements. 11 As you plan your big game hunt this season, take a General Regulations.12-15 moment to give yourself a pat on the back. Firearm Regulations.13 Thanks to people like you, 2001 marks Montana’s Archery Regulations.13-14 first Century of Conservation. Over the past 100 Procedures to Follow Upon Harvesting An Animal.14-15 years, Montana mustered the courage to restore its elk After The Hunt.15 populations, replenish its eastern plains with deer and Transporting Big Game.15 antelope, set aside important winter range for wildlife, Special License/Permit Drawings.16-18 and forge conservation-easement agreements to keep Licenses/Permits for Hunters With a Disability.18 ranches in operation and their open spaces available Deer & Elk Identification.19 for many of the wildlife species that call Montana Deer & Elk 2000 Drawing Statistics.29 home. Sunrise/Sunset Tables.79 Montana’s hunters have played a vital role in Montana’s Century of Conservation. Thanks to the hard toil, choices, and foresight of the past century, Deer, Elk, Lion Hunting District Map, Region 1.20 Montana has some of the best big game hunting in the Deer, Elk, Lion Hunting District Map, Region 2.21 country. Our 82 Wildlife Management Areas protect Deer, Elk, Lion Hunting District Map, Region 3.22-23 more than half a million acres, a legacy that started Deer, Elk, Lion Hunting District Map, Region 4.24-25 with the conservation of the Sun River elk winter Deer, Elk, Lion Hunting District Map, Region 5.26 range in 1947. Our Block Management program Deer, Elk, Lion Hunting District Map, Region 6.27 provides free hunting access to more than 7 million Deer, Elk, Lion Hunting District Map, Region 7.28 areas of private land. The conservation foresight of people like you have Deer & Elk Individual Hunting Districts’ Regulations.30-64 helped to shape today’s Montana. About the time Gov. John Rickards appointed W.F. Deer & Elk Hunting District Legal Descriptions.65-77 Scott as Montana’s state game in 1901—and thereby Closed Areas.77-78 create this agency—Montana’s challenge was to turn the tide against a century of wildlife and habitat destruction. Early steps toward wildlife protection marked the dawning of Montana’s conservation ethic 2001 Season Dates that was carried through an entire century. Today, as more people pursue the Montana dream, some feel the dream itself may be in jeopardy. 2001 Montana Big Game Seasons Throughout our brief history we have sought the help, Deer & elk archery.September 1—October 14 advice, and assistance of people like you—Montana’s Backcountry deer & elk September 15—November 25 hunters, anglers, landowners, and visitors who have Deer & elk general.October21—November 25 Antelope archery.September 1—October 6 come to love this still fine place. And we will continue Antelope general.October 7—November 4 that tradition because when it comes to hunting and Bighorn sheep .. September 15—November 25 the big country hunting demands, with your help we Moose.September 15—November 25 aim to keep Montana a world above the rest. Mountain goat.September 15—November 25 Black bear spring .April 15—May 15 or 31 You’ve worked too hard for the past 100 years for Black bear fall .September 15—November 25 us to do anything less. 2001 Upland Game Birds Sage grouse.September 1—November 1 Sincerely, Sharp-tailed grouse.September 1—December 15 Mountain grouse.September 1—December 15 Partridge.September 1—December 15 Pheasant, Residents.October 6—December 15 Pheasant, Nonresidents October 8—December 15 Turkey spring.April 7—May 8 Jeff Hagener " Turkey fall.September 1—December 15 Director These dates are provided NEAL & MARY JANE MISHLER Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ONLY AS A GUIDE. Season dates may vary from those listed here. Check the current year’s regulations for specifics. 2 Turn In Poachers 1-800-847-6668 eference 2001 Beginning with the 2001 hunting season, unsuccessful Look for resident and nonresident moose, sheep, and goat in pages 30-64 applicants who want to participate in a preference system will accumulate one bonus point for each year to find regulations they are unsuccessful. Each point will be considered an extra chance in future drawings. Bonus points will t' be accumulated independently for each species. Resident applicants will be assessed a $2, per application, annual fee to participate. Nonresidents will be charged $20, per application, annually for the same opportunity. FWP anticipates including deer, elk, and antelope in the system in 2002. Region 7 Over-The-Counter Antleriess Deer B licenses for Nonresidents * Nonresident antleriess whitetail deer B licenses valid in all 700 districts available from Miles City FWP headquarters. See page 64 for specifics. * Nonresident antleriess mule deer B licenses for the state are available only through the special drawing process. Hunter Education Requirements for Convicted Violators * Convicted violators may be required by the courts to attend a remedial hunter education class as part of their sentencing. Special Drawing ARCHERY ONLY Elk Permits in hunting districts 410 and 417 ,. g * Unlimited ARCHERY ONLY permits for eithphfex oust apply as first and only choice. See page 51 and 52 for details. Archery Equipment Standards Mule Deer Hunting - Statewide • The FWP Commission adopted new equipment regula¬ • Because buck numbers have recovered in many areas of tions specific to archery in Montana. New regulations the former “Southwestern 8" (southwestern Montana), require that a compound bow’s maximum “let-off not and thus buck-doe ratios are in better shape, deer exceed 80 percent; the bow can be no shorter than 28 management objectives have been met or exceeded in inches and a broadhead is also defined. See page 13. many districts. In those districts where buck-doe ratios Landowner Permission Required are still less than our deer management plan calls for, • Montana law requires that hunters must have permission unlimited permits will be required for buck mule deer of the landowner, lessee or their agent before hunting on hunting. Check individual hunting district regulations for private land. See page 9. specific requirements in that hunting district. Motion Device “Trophy Criteria” for Restitution • Legislation passed by the 1999 Legislature restricts the • Legislation passed by the 1999 Legislature set higher use of motion tracking devices while hunting. Refer to restitution values for persons knowingly or willfully taking page 12. “trophy” animals unlawfully. Visit our website at Social Security Number Requirement fwp.state.mt.us for details. • Resident and nonresident hunters, including youth, Game Damage Opportunity for Deer and Elk purchasing Conservation Licenses and licenses • See pages 17 and 18 for specific details on how to apply. obtained through a special drawing, by law must provide their Social Security number. See pages 7 and 11. fwp.state.mt.US Visit Our Website 3 6 is CO z^ 1- CO £ui I C3aOc zUo<l CUoOJ zg X3o<®$ UKZoJu2U°.I Oa UCzOl UoU-. UJui z Ul a. il U9lqS TYPE OF LICENSE/PERMIT LICENSE SPECIFICS t- £ “o tn O V- 11 I* z®5 | RESIDENT ONLY FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE HELENA INFORMATION CENTER AT 406-444-2535 T T ▼ T T T Prerequisite for all licenses. Residents 12-14 years of age and 62 or older need only a CONSERVATION-GENERAL conservation license to fish and to hunt upland game birds, excluding turkey. Also allows a $4 • resident who is a Legion of Valor member, regardless of age, to fish. Residents certified as permanently and substantially disabled, as designated by FWP rules, CONSERVATION- must apply annually for this license which authorizes fishing, hunting of upland game birds, $4 • DISABLED RESIDENT excluding turkey, and the purchase of deer A and elk licenses at one-half price. SPORTSMAN’S Includes a conservation, deer A, elk, and black bear license and authorizes fishing and $64 (INCLUDING BEAR) hunting of upland birds, excluding turkey. Deadline April 14 and August 31,2001 for black bear. w w SPORTSMAN’S Includes a conservation, deer A, and elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of $51 • (WITHOUT BEAR) upland birds, excluding turkey. YOUTH COMBINATION Includes conservation, fishing, upland game bird, excluding turkey, deer A and elk licenses. $25 SPORTS Available only to Montana residents 12-17 years of age. Montana residents 12-14 years of age and 62 years and older, or holders of a conservation- DEER A disabled resident license, may purchase a deer A license at one-half price. $13 • • DEER B ANTLERLESS Allows hunting of antlerless white-tailed deer only, in one region only. Conservation license is $8 • • WHITETAIL, SINGLE REGION only prerequisite. Hunter must designate region upon purchase. Montana residents 12-14 years of age and 62 years and older, or holders of a conservation- ELK disabled resident license may purchase a license for one-half price. $16 • • YOUTH BIRD UPLAND GAME Available only to Montana residents 15-17 years of age. $3 • • FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL SPECIAL LICENSING AT 406-444-2950 2002 HUNTING INFORMATION AND APPLICATIONS-FWP starts accepting names and addresses December 1,2001, to begin compiling the 2002 mailing list. Prerequisite for all licenses. Also allows a nonresident who is a Legion of Valor member to CONSERVATION-GENERAL $5 • • fish, regardless of age. Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a BIG GAME ELK/DEER conservation, deer A, and elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game $478 • • • COMBINATION (GENERAL) birds, excluding turkey. 11,500 licenses available. Deadline to apply is March 15. Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a BIG GAME ELK conservation and elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, COMBINATION (GENERAL) excluding turkey. This license is included in the 11,500 quota of big game elk/deer $428 w 9 a• combination license. Deadline to apply is March 15. Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a BIG GAME ELK/DEER conservation, deer A, and elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game COMBINATION OUTFITTER birds, excluding turkey. Issued to all valid applicants sponsored by a certified outfitter $975 • SPONSORED received by March 15. Outfitter certificates should be obtained from your outfitter sponsor. All hunting with this license must be done with a licensed outfitter. Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a BIG GAME ELK conservation and elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, COMBINATION OUTFITTER excluding turkey. Issued to all valid applicants sponsored by a certified outfitter received $875 • SPONSORED by March 15. Outfitter certificates should be obtained from your outfitter sponsor. All hunting with this license must be done with a licensed outfitter. Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a DEER COMBINATION conservation and deer A license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, $248 • • • (GENERAL) excluding turkey. 2,300 licenses available. Deadline to apply is March 15. Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation and deer A license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, DEER COMBINATION excluding turkey. Issued to all valid applicants sponsored by a certified outfitter received $850 • (OUTFITTER SPONSORED) by March 15. Outfitter certificates should be obtained from your outfitter sponsor. All hunting with this license must be done with a licensed outfitter. Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation and deer A license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. 2,000 licenses available. Deadline to apply is March 15. Landowner DEER COMBINATION certificates should be obtained from your landowner sponsor. All deer hunting with this license $253 • • • (UNDOWNER SPONSORED) (including deer B) must be done on deeded lands of the sponsoring landowner. This does not include leased or public lands. Fishing and upland game bird hunting may be done statewide. Licenses Available TYPE OF LICENSE/PERMIT LICENSE SPECIFICS mm m BH3 ION CALL THE HELENA INFORMATION CENTER AT DEERB Licenses limited to specific districts. Deadline to apply is June 1. Nonresidents must hold a big game combination license to apply. Residents must hold a $6-R valid elk license to apply. State refund policy does not allow refunds under $5. If you are ELK PERMITS $6-NR unsuccessful for only an elk permit, a refund will not be sent. Deadline to apply is June 1. See Deer • Elk regulations booklet, page 8 for definition. Deadline to apply is June 1. ELK A-7 LICENSE Deadline to exchange general elk license for an A-7 license is September 1. Deadline to apply for the spring season is April 14. Licenses purchased after April 14 S15-R • • BLACK BEAR are valid only in the fall season. No bear license may be purchased after August 31. S120-NR S15-R MOUNTAIN LION Deadline to apply is August 31. S320-NR S50-R MOUNTAIN LION TROPHY Must be purchased after mountain lion kill. S50-NR Resident and nonresidents 12-17 years of age and 60 years and older may purchase a $10-R STATE LANDS RECREATION license for one-half price. Required by any person 12 years and older to use state lands $m-NR for any general recreational purposes. S14-R ANTELOPE Licenses limited to specific districts. Deadline to apply is June 1. S153-NR ANTELOPE MULTI-REGION Either-sex ARCHERY ONLY license. License limited to specific districts. Deadline to apply S14-R ARCHERY ONLY is June 1. S153-NR S78-R MOUNTAIN GOAT Deadline to apply is May 1. J478-NR S78-R MOOSE Deadline to apply is May 1. S478-NR BIGHORN SHEEP LIMITED See page 35 for definition. Deadline to apply is May 1. S78-R S478-NR BIGHORN SHEEP UNLIMITED See page 35 for definition. Deadline to apply is May 1. S78-R S478-NR Required for special ARCHERY ONLY seasons. Specific rules apply to purchase a bow and S8-R • • BOW AND ARROW arrow license. See pages 13 and 14 for rules. S8-NR Residents 12-14 years of age and 62 or older or holders of the conservation-disabled resident license, need only a conservation license to hunt upland game birds, excluding S6-R UPLAND GAME BIRD turkey. Residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation should check the Upland Game Bird $110-NR regulations for licensing specifics. TURKEY Upland game bird license prerequisite. One turkey license may be purchased each spring $5-R • • and each fall season. S13-NR Federal waterfowl stamp also required. Residents 12-15 years of age need only a conservation license; residents 16-61 and nonresidents 16+ need a conservation license, a Montana migratory bird license and a federal stamp. Residents 62 or older or FWP certified disabled need only a conservation MONTANA MIGRATORY S5-R BIRD STAMP license and a federal waterfowl stamp to hunt. Residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation should S5-NR check the Migratory Bird regulations for licensing specifics. Each migratory bird stamp holder must complete, at the time of purchase, a “Montana Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program Survey Card” as required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. CRANE Deadline is first part of July. S3-R&NR SWAN Deadline is September 7. S3-R&NR Reminders DEADLINE: • The purchase of a license on or before its deadline date; or • A Permit is issued through special drawings and must be an application correctly completed and sent in with a postmark used with a specific hunting license. A permit is NOT a on or before its deadline date. second license and does not allow the holder to kill an additional animal. Rather, it enhances their opportunity in a • A Hunting License can be issued either over-the-counter or specific area. through special drawings. It authorizes the holder to hunt. the species identified on the license according to the • If you lose your license or permit, duplicates may be regulations specified. This hunting license (also referred to obtained from any FWP office, game warden, or some as a “tag”) must be attached to the harvested animal to license agents. Hunters must sign a statement on the show authorization to hunt and harvest that particular duplicate license form declaring their originals were lost and animal. Please refer to the section on “Procedures To Follow are no longer in their possession. If found, they must be Upon Harvesting An Animal", pages 14 and 15, for complete returned to FWP immediately. instructions on what to do when an animal is harvested.' Frequently Asked Questions Q: Where can I hunt? not to confront a violator in the field. If it is safe to photo¬ A Montana offers many hunting opportunities on public and graph or video, do so. Do not try to obtain evidence of the private land. Each public land agency administers use violation. Call the local Game Warden, Sheriff’s Office, or differently, so hunters need to contact the appropriate dial 1-800-TIP-MONT as soon as possible. public agency and inquire about hunting use, regulations, and maps. Q: What happens to confiscated game animals? A In the past, these animals were auctioned off at local FWP Hunters must obtain landowner permission in order to offices. In 1997, the Montana Legislature mandated that hunt on private property. Some landowners enroll annually these animals be offered to charitable food organizations in an FWP-administered program called Block Manage¬ such as Food Banks, Rescue Missions, etc., before being ment (refer to page 9). Regional lists of landowners are auctioned off. available to the public in mid-August each year. To find information about this program, visit Q: I was lucky enough to draw, but an emergency situation has come up. Can I get a refund? http:Wwww.fwp.state.mt.us/huntinq/blockman/ index.index.html or contact the regional office closest to A Reason Deadline % Refund Death of licensee 12/31/01 100% where you want to hunt. Death/family member 12/31/01 90% Q: I drew an antlerless elk permit. Can I still hunt a Medical emergency 12/31/01 90% bull in this district? A No. You are restricted to hunting only an antlerless elk in Nonresident Combination License holders may call that district during both the ARCHERY ONLY and the 406-444-2950 for further information. GENERAL season. You may hunt elk, as specified in the regulations, in all other elk hunting districts in the state. The appropriate documentation (death certificate, medical statement, etc.) must accompany the unused license and Q: I’m confused about the 01, 02, 03 numbers listed a signed request form certifying the licenses have not after a hunting district. What do these numbers been used. mean? A The numbers represent different seasons or hunts that Q; Can I archery hunt deer, elk or antelope and bear you can apply for in a district for a special permit or hunt with a gun at the same time (i.e., can I carry license. The numbers may reference a portion of the a rifle with my bow and arrow when both the firearm and Archery Only seasons are legally district, different dates the permit is valid, a late season, or open)? sex of the species that can be harvested. A Yes. Refer to page 13. Q: What should I do if I lose a hunting or fishing license? Q: Can I use my bow during rifle season and will I need a bow and arrow license? A Duplicate licenses may be obtained from FWP regional A Yes. You can use your bow during rifle season, but you headquarters, area offices, local game wardens, and must wear hunters’ orange. You do not need a bow some license agents. Hunters must sign a statement stamp. Refer to page 13. « declaring their original license was lost and is no longer in their possession. If the original license is found, it must Q: Can I use a crossbow during the archery season? be returned to FWP. A duplicate license is sold for $5 or A No. But you can use one during rifle season. the cost of the license, whichever is less. Q: Can I carry a handgun during bow season? Q: What provisions does Montana have for nonresi¬ A Yes. It cannot be used to finish off an arrow-wounded dent hunters with a disability? animal. A Montana has reserved a number of licenses for antelope hunting for hunters with a disability. The deadline to apply Q; What do I do if I mistakenly kill an animal? is June 1. Montana also has a Permit to Hunt from a A Field dress the animal to keep it from spoiling. Leave it Vehicle which allows those qualified to get a special where it was killed, preferably with a person watching it. stamp on their license and four decals to display on their As soon as possible, contact the nearest regional FWP vehicle that authorizes that individual to shoot from a office, the local sheriffs office, game warden’s home or vehicle. To request this application call 406-444-2535. office, or call 1-800-TIPMONT. Report what happened and wait for instructions from a game warden. Q: What if I witness a hunting violation, how do I go about reporting it? Q: Is it legal to shoot marked animals? A Try to report as much information as possible. Helpful A It is legal to shoot big game animals that have radio information includes: violation date, time, location; nature collars, neck bands, or markers, but markers and radio of the violation; type of vehicle used -- year and color; collars must be returned to the nearest Montana FWP license plate number and state; and whether or not you office. witnessed the violation. In nearly all instances it is best 6 Turn In Poachers 1-800-847-6668 Q: What opportunities does Montana offer for non¬ Q: Do I need to be concerned about Chronic Wasting game and predator hunting? Disease? A: As defined below, predators and unprotected nongame A There have been no confirmed cases of CWD in the wild wildlife can be hunted in the state of Montana year round in Montana and there is no evidence that the disease is without a license by both resident and nonresident transmissible to humans. However, if you are concerned wear protective gloves while field-dressing game. Mini¬ hunters. mize handling and don’t eat the brain or spinal cord. Residents, licensed to do so, can hunt bobcat during Hunters or others observing animals acting unusually or established furbearer seasons. No other furbearing appearing to be sick are advised not to harvest or con¬ sume those animals and are encouraged to report the animals can be hunted. Nonresidents may not hunt location of the animals to FWP immediately using the furbearing animals. telephone numbers provided on page 8. Predators: Coyote, weasel, skunk, civet cat (spotted skunk). License required for nonresident trappers only. Q: Can I use my general season special permit or Nongame Wildlife: Any wild animal not otherwise legally license during the ARCHERY ONLY season? classified by statute or regulation in Montana. Examples A Hunters who receive a special permit to hunt deer or elk include badger, raccoon, red fox, hares, rabbits, ground during all or any portion of the general season (Oct. 21- squirrels and tree squirrels. License required for nonresi¬ Nov. 25), may archery hunt for the species and sex dent trappers only. indicated on the permit or license during the ARCHERY Furbearers: Beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, marten, fisher, ONLY season unless specifically prohibited in the hunting wolverine, bobcat, lynx, and swift fox. Only Montana district regulations (pages 30-64). residents may hunt or trap furbearers. Furbearer license required. Seasons, species, closures, limits and method Q: Can someone shoot and kill an animal for me if I of take are presented in 2001 Montana Furbearer Regula¬ am with them? tions. A No. The person to whom the license is issued must shoot and kill the animal. The only exception to this is Q: Why is FWP collecting Social Security numbers? granted to holders of a permit to hunt from a vehicle, see A The requirement to collect SSN’s on hunting, fishing, page 18. trapping and conservation licenses was passed by the 1999 Montana Legislature (SB76), to comply with the Federal Welfare Reform Law. • Follow the rules of safe gun handling. • Be proficient in the use of your equipment. • Know and obey laws and regulations. • Develop hunting skills and knowledge. • Develop a personal code of conduct. • Respect the wildlife you hunt and the land it inhabits. • Respect other hunters and the rights of non-hunters and landowners. • Relax and enjoy your hunt, whether you get your game or not. • Get involved in conserving wildlife and hunting. • Be a role model, share your skill and knowledge with others. fwp.state.mt.us Visit Our Website 7 Who Do I Call? WHO TO CONTACT Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks State Headquarters 1420 East 6th Avenue, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701 ...406-444-2535 Hunter Education. 406-444-4046 Hunter Safety Requirements. 406-444-3188 Wildlife Division ...it. 406-444-2612 Enforcement Division ..406-444-2452 Telephone Device for the Deaf. 406-444-1200 Deer, elk, antelope, moose, sheep, goat, and all special drawings.406-444-2950 Resident and Nonresident Licensing for fishing, upland game birds, migratory birds, black bear, and mountain lion. 406-444-2535 Nonresident mailing list for deer and elk big game combination licenses and regulations. 406-444-2950 REGION 1 406-752-5501 490 N Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901 .. REGION 2 « 406-542-5500 3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT 59804. REGION 3 406-994-4042 1400 South 19th, Bozeman, MT 59715. REGION 4 406-454-5840 4600 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT 59405 . REGION 5 406-247-2940 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings, MT 59105 . REGION 6 406-228-3700 Route 1-4210, Glasgow, MT 59230 .— REGION 7 406-232-0900 Industrial Site West, PO Box 1630, Miles City, MT 59301 . Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Area Resource Offices Butte (BARO) 406-494-1953 1820 Meadowlark Lane, Butte, MT 59701 . Havre (HvARO) 406-265-6177 2165 Hwy 2 East, Havre, MT 59501 . Helena (HARO) 406-444-4720 930 Custer Avenue West, Helena, MT 59602... Lewistown (LARO) 406-538-4658 2358 Airport Road, PO Box 938, Lewistown, MT 59457 . 8 Turn In Poachers 1-800-847-6668 u Who Do I Call? Federal Agencies Bureau of Land Management*.... 406-896-5000 Fish & Wildlife Services. 406-449-5225 National Forests*. 406-329-3511 *Contact for detailed land maps Tribal Lands Blackfeet Reservation. 406-338-7276 Crow Reservation. 406-638-2601 Flathead Reservation. 406-675-2700 Fort Belknap. 406-353-2205 Fort Peck Reservation. 406-768-5305 Northern Cheyenne Reservation 406-477-8844 Rocky Boy Reservation. 406-395-4207 Montana State Agencies Agriculture. 406-444-3144 Guides & Outfitters.. 406-444-3738 Livestock. 406-444-2976 State Lands . 406-444-2074 State Parks. 406-444-3750 Tourism. 406-444-2654 Information Hotline—1-900-225-5397 Our information hotline offers comprehensive details on a wide variety of recreational topics—from hunting opportunities to road conditions. The line is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm Mountain Standard Time excluding holidays. A $1.50 per minute charge will be assessed and callers must be at least 18 years old. Preparing For Your Hunt Helpful hints and information to plan your Montana hunting trip. HUNTER ACCESS PRIVATE LAND • Montana Law requires that hunters have the permis¬ The dollars to administer the block management sion of the landowner, lessee, or their agent before program come from nonresident variably priced hunting on private property, regardless of whether the outfitter sponsored licenses. land is posted or not. Hunters should secure land- Each region administers the block management owner permission well before applying for a special areas (BMAs) for that portion of the state. Hunters license/permit to hunt on these private lands. It is wishing to learn more about specific BMA opportu¬ recommended that hunters receive written permission nities should contact the regional office in the area from the landowner or landowner’s agent. they wish to hunt, see page 8. Regional tabloids Block Management Program listing lands enrolled in the program will be • The block management program is a cooperative available after August 15, which is also the earliest effort between private landowners, Montana Fish, date for making BMA reservations. Wildlife & Parks, and hunters to provide public For general information about the block manage¬ hunting on private lands. Over 7.5 million acres of ment program, contact the Field Services Division land throughout the state are enrolled in the at 406-444-2602. program, offering a variety of hunting opportunities. fwp.state.mt.us Visit Our Website 9 Preparing For Your Hunt Trespass OUTFITTERS AND GUIDES • Montana Law states that lands can be closed to the • Outfitters and guides are licensed by the Department of public either by posting the land or through verbal Commerce. For information, verification, to file a communication by the landowner or his/her agent. complaint, or for a complete listing of licensed outfitters If access is granted, the landowner may revoke and guides call the Department of Commerce at 406- permission by personal communication at any 444-3738. time. • Any outfitter utilizing federal lands or lands not held in fee • Posting the land to deny entry to private land must title by the outfitter must be licensed by the Department consist of written notice on a post, structure, or of Commerce. natural object or by painting a post, structure, or • It is illegal to hire an outfitter not licensed by the Depart¬ natural object with at least 50 square inches of ment of Commerce. fluorescent paint. THINGS TO BE AWARE OF PUBLIC LAND Transporting Game or Fish • FWP is working cooperatively with other agencies to • If you are transporting wildlife and fish (including live improve signing of legally accessible public lands animals, sport-taken game, parts and/or products) wherever possible. Access courtesy cards and between Montana and Canada OR between the US copies of a map directory are available at all FWP and any foreign country, whether for commerical or offices. non-commercial purposes, you must complete a US • It is unlawful to hunt or take game animals on railroad Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Declaration form right of ways. (Form 3-177). Form 3-177 is also available at all US Stream Access Law Customs Ports and on the USFWS web site at • Big game hunting between the ordinary high water www.fws.gov. Additional Federal permits may also be marks of streams and rivers is unlawful without needed to import/export wildlife, depending on the landowner permission. Landowner permission species. For further information contact the USFWS must be obtained to hunt private lands adjacent to Wildlife Inspector at 406-453-5790 or FAX 406-453- waterways. 3657. Closed Areas Transporting Horses and Mules in Montana • State Game Preserves and National Parks are • The Montana Department of Livestock requires a closed to hunting of big game animals. For veterinary inspection certificate and an import permit hunting privileges on Federal Wildlife Refuges, prior to entry into Montana. A brand inspection inquire at the local refuge office. certificate is required for movement within Montana. • Indian Reservations are limited to Tribal members For information call the Montana Department of only for big game hunting privileges unless Livestock at 406-444-2045. otherwise provided for between the State of Weed Control and Weed Free Hay Montana and a Tribal Government. For questions • Montana requires visitors to use certified weed-free contact theTribal Government offices. See page 9. hay, grain, straw, mulch, cubes and pelletized feed on • Wildlife Management Areas with big game winter Federal lands. Please contact offices of Montana range, unless otherwise posted, are closed to FWP, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Manage¬ public entry from the day following the end of the ment, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for general deer-elk season or December 1, which¬ supplier information. Contact the Montana Depart¬ ever is later, to May 15 each year, as posted. ment of Agriculture at 406-444-5400 for information EXCEPTION: Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA closes about the area where you will be hunting. November 10. • Infestations of noxious weeds reduce the amount of State Land available food for wildlife and livestock. As these • A State Lands Recreational Use License, see infestations spread, range is reduced, and the land page 4, available from FWP license agents, is supports fewer animals. It is important to strictly required for all recreational activities (including follow the weed-free hay certification regulations. hunting and fishing) on state school trust land. Leave No Trace Pamphlets which provide information regarding the • Plan ahead and prepare rules, regulations, and restrictions governing these • Travel and camp on durable surfaces activities are available from FWP license agents, • Pack it in, Pack it out FWP offices, and the Department of Natural • Properly dispose of human waste Resources and Conservation, 1625 11th Avenue, • Leave what you find Helena, MT 59620, 406-444-2074. • Minimize use of campfires • On lands outside designated campgrounds there is a 2-day camping limit. • Horses may not be kept on state land overnight. • Travel is restricted to public roads or on desig¬ nated roads only. 10 Turn In Poachers 1-800-847-6668