Deer hunters, who want to hunt the Marias River Wildlife Management Area southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406, have the month of June to submit their application.
Applicants must put in for a specific archery period or a general rifle season period. There are three archery periods each lasting two weeks, from Sept. 3 through Oct. 16. The three general season periods run one week each, from Oct. 22 through Nov. 13.
A random drawing will take place for:
Archery Season - Deer Hunting Periods
10 archers for Sept. 3-Sept. 17
10 archers for Sept. 18-Oct. 2
10 archers for Oct. 3- Oct. 16
General Season - Deer Hunting Periods
10 rifle hunters for Oct. 22-Oct. 28
10 rifle hunters for Oct. 29 – Nov. 4
10 rifle hunters for Nov. 5-Nov. 13
Public hunting access for all other species is open on the Marias River WMA. Hunters can submit applications starting 8 a.m., June 1, until 5 p.m., June 30. All drawing applications must be submitted electronically either on the FWP web page, http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunterAccess/marias.html or at any FWP regional or area office.
Points to remember
The Marias River WMA is grizzly bear country. Please be bear aware, including carrying bear spray and observing food storage rules.
Application must be made electronically (fwp.mt.gov) beginning 8 a.m., June 1, 2016. Persons may make electronic application at FWP Regional offices.
Application deadline is 5 p.m., June 30, 2016 (applications must be received by 5 p.m.).
Incomplete applications will be removed from the drawing.
Hunters must include their full name, address, phone number, email address, ALS number and desired hunt- archery or general hunting season (applicant may choose only one) on the application.
Hunters may apply only once for either archery or rifle season, not both.
No party applications accepted.
Drawing will take place after June 30, 2016 with only successful applicants notified of drawing results.
10 archery hunters randomly chosen per two week period.
three archery hunt periods, each approximately two weeks in length.
10 general hunting season (rifle) hunters randomly chosen per seven to nine-day period.
three general season (rifle) hunt periods, each seven to nine days in length.
Hunt periods will be allotted at the time of drawing and are not transferable.
Successful applicants will be contacted with hunt access information and authorized permission prior to the start of the archery season.
Successful applicants may use any deer license valid in Hunting District 406.
All hunting will conform to the existing F&W Commission-established season structure in HD 406.