Hunter Alert: Huge Deadline Shift for Deer and Elk Permit Applications

Hunters in Montana can get an early start on making plans for the upcoming season, thanks to recent license-purchase and special permit-application deadline changes, said the promotional release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Department.

This year hunting and fishing licenses went on sale January 16 and the deadline for residents and nonresidents to apply for deer and elk permits has moved up to March 15.

In past years, new hunting licenses would go on sale at the end of February and special deer and elk permits were due June 1.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission recently adjusted the dates in response to public comment, according to the release.

“Now, resident and nonresident hunters will have their drawing results by mid-April, instead of the end of July,” said Ron Aasheim, FWP spokesman in Helena. “That gives hunters three additional months to make plans, scout hunting areas, get in shape, and talk to landowners.”

Resident and nonresident applications and information, including application success tips, are online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “New Deadline — March 15 Deer and Elk Permits.” Paper applications and information are available from FWP offices and license providers.

The permit application packet has been revamped and simplified. “We’ve heard for years that the application process is too complicated,” Aasheim said. “In response to the deadline change we boiled down 120 pages of hunting regulations to an eight-page information and application packet.”

Montana’s traditional deer, elk and antelope hunting regulations will still be available in early April. FWP continues to urge hunters to apply online. “It’s fast, convenient and always accurate,” Aasheim said. “The online system won’t allow you to submit an application that contains an error. This year, we’re really encouraging hunters to read the application information, and then carefully fill out a paper application to guide their online submissions.”

Aasheim said the best tip he can offer is to start hunting plans early, but hold off on submitting deer and elk permit applications until sometime after February 16. “There are many hunting districts with ‘pending’ quotas that won’t be finalized by the FWP Commission until February 16. If you are interested in applying for one of the pending hunting districts, check the FWP Web site after the meeting. Then make your choices and submit your application.”

Nonresidents who wish to apply for big game combination, elk combination or deer combination licenses and deer and elk permits for the 2012 fall Montana hunting season can also apply online or download an application from FWP’s Web site. To request an application by mail, write to Licensing Section, Montana FWP, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701, or call 406-444-2950. The application deadline is March 15.

Aasheim stressed that the deadline to apply for moose, sheep, goat and bison licenses remains May 1. June 1 remains the deadline to apply for antlerless deer B and elk B licenses and antelope and antelope B licenses.

Montana’s upcoming hunting and fishing license year runs from March 1 to February 28, 2013.