Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is announcing a new requirement for hunters this season at Foys Bend Fisheries Conservation Area near Kalispell.

Permission is still required to hunt the property and is issued on a limited basis due to the size of the acreage. Hunters can still call the FWP office in Kalispell (406-752-5501) seven days in advance for first-come, first-serve permission from Sept. 1-30.

New this year, from Oct. 1 through Jan. 10, 2025, permission to hunt will be administered by a random drawing. Anyone interested in hunting the Foys Bend property will need to enter an application to the FWP office in Kalispell, 490 N. Meridian between Sept. 1-15.

Hunting is still only allowed at the property on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

The lottery system aims to offer equal opportunity and better manage access to Foys Bend FCA, which is open to limited hunting of all species during upland game bird season, archery season, general hunting season, and migratory bird season. Next year, all access starting Sept. 1 will be administered through a lottery system.

Hunters are restricted to one party of no more than four people per day. Firearms are restricted to shotgun, muzzleloader, or traditional handgun. Rifles are prohibited. Except for the firearm restriction, all other current FWP regulations regarding weapons in Hunting District 170 apply. Recreational shooting and hunting of nongame animals are prohibited. No hunting within 200 yards of any building. No dogs allowed except for the purpose of bird hunting. Vehicle parking only at designated parking areas.

Foys Bend FCA is an FWP property located in the lower valley off Steel Bridge Road.

For an application to hunt or more information, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/regions/region1 or the FWP Kalispell office at 490 N. Meridian.