Friday, March 27, 2020

Montana: deadline for deer and elk permits is April 1

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds hunters that the deadline to apply for deer and elk licenses for nonresidents and deer and elk permits for everyone is April 1. The purchase deadline for spring black bear is April 14 without a 24 hour wait. Hunters should apply now and not wait until the last minute. Hunters who are applying for special licenses or permits will need to do so online at fwp.mt.gov and will still need to have a valid email address.

License buyers can still purchase their licenses online or from any license provider. To ensure that licenses are in before the season openers, turkey and black bear hunters may want to purchase licenses from a provider.

To protect the public and staff from the spread of COVID-19, FWP temporarily closed its offices around the state to the public. The FWP office closures will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. Staff are assisting customers with their licensing needs through both our statewide call center at 406-444-2950, and via email at fwplic@mt.gov.

Much of the recent traffic to FWP offices were people who had trouble printing their licenses. Two key changes the public should be aware of:

  • FWP will mail licenses and carcass tags to those who purchase them online, just as in years past.
  • People who have had trouble printing their licenses during the past two weeks will receive them in the mail.

Visitor centers and public meeting spaces at offices, state parks and fish hatcheries are also temporarily closed due to recommendations on social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For those who need assistance with their purchase, please call the FWP licensing center at 406-444-2950, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., or your regional or area office, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: Email assistance is available by emailing fwplic@mt.gov

Region 1 (Kalispell)

752-5501

Region 2 (Missoula)

542-5500

Region 3 (Bozeman)

577-7900

Helena Area Office

495-3260

Butte Area Office

494-1953

Region 4 (Great Falls)

454-5840

Lewistown Area Office

538-4658

Region 5 (Billings)

247-2940

Region 6 (Glasgow)

228-3700

Havre Area Office

265-6177

Region 7 (Miles City)

234-0900

FWP Headquarters (Helena)

444-2535

 

Additional information on COVID-19 is also available online, on DES social media, and via phone

  • Covid19.mt.gov
  • Twitter @MontanaDES
  • Facebook Facebook.com/MontanaDES
  • Instagram @MontanaDES406

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FWP to continue temporary suspension of hunter, bowhunter ed classes

Following Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s directive Tuesday to continue the closure of public schools for at least two more weeks, Fish, Wildlife & Parks is postponing all hunter and bowhunter education classes that are scheduled through April 10, at which point FWP will reassess the situation.

COVID-19 cases have been identified in several counties around the state. Because of the potential spread of COVID-19, several schools and other public buildings where hunter education classes are held have been closed to public gatherings.

Once the COVID-19 concerns have abated, FWP will schedule new classes.

FWP apologizes to those students who will miss their first opportunity to enter some of the drawings as a result of postponing these classes. This measure is intended to prioritize the safety and health of both students and FWP’s volunteer hunter education instructors.

For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force website at COVID19.mt.gov or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website at www.dphhs.mt.gov.

For more information about hunter and bowhunter education classes and schedules, please contact your regional FWP office.