How To Apply For 2025 Montana Hunting Permits

Outdoorsmen and women, listen up; It's almost time to renew your permits in the Treasure State.

Although March 1st is the main date to remember for your license renewals, there are a few other key dates and deadlines you need to be aware of if you plan to visit the backcountry this year.

Key Dates and Deadlines:

March 1: Most species are available on this date, including deer, elk, antelope, moose, sheep, goat, and bison. Remember that this is also the day licenses and permits can be purchased online starting at 5 AM from the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks website.
April 1: This is the deadline for obtaining anything other than a general deer or elk permit.
June 1: This is the deadline if you are applying for antelope B licenses, sandhill crane, swan, and various other licenses.
Conservation License: Individuals aged 12 and older must have a Conservation License to access most state lands, except for Montana State Parks.

Smith River Super Permit – April 1
Paddlefish (white tag) – April 1
Deer and Elk
- Permits – April 1
- B Licenses – June 1
Bighorn Sheep – May 1
Bison – May 1
Moose – May 1
Mountain Goat – May 1
Antelope – June 1
Sandhill Crane – June 1
Swan – June 1
SuperTags
- Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Deer, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goat and Mountain Lion – June 30
Mountain Lion Special Licenses – Aug. 1
NR Winter Hound Licenses – Sept. 1

Application Process

FWP announced a new streamlined application system this year.

Users can easily reapply for the same licenses and permits as last year with a single click.

Theoretically, this should eliminate the hassle of searching past application applications.

Helpful Tools and Resources

If you're new to Montana or hunting and fishing in the Treasure State, FWP has a few video tutorials to help you through the process.

They also have the MyFWP mobile app, which stores licenses, permits, and Etags.

More Information

fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/hunting-licenses.

States with the most registered hunters

Stacker analyzed data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which states have the most registered hunters. Read on to see how your state ranks on Stacker’s list.

Gallery Credit: Meagan Drillinger