Montana’s new March 15 deadline to apply for 2012 deer and elk hunting permits is accompanied by a convenient new eight-page application packet available at all license providers, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices and online at fwp.mt.gov.
The Montana FWP Commission approved the new March 15 deadline in response to hunters’ requests for more time to plan their fall deer and elk hunts, said FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim in Helena. Some 80,000 of the new applications have been printed and distributed statewide to FWP license providers.
“People are busy and they say they need convenient, time-saving ways to apply for licenses so they can get out and hunt—and that is what we’re trying to provide,” Aasheim said. “The streamlined application packet further simplifies the process.”
Aasheim said that, as usual, hunters need a 2012 elk license to apply for a special elk permit.
Successful applicants will receive their permits in mid-April and, as a result, have three extra months to make preparations for their fall hunts.
“Everything needed to apply is in the new application and information packet,” Aasheim said.
Aasheim noted all deer and elk regulations—including those listed as pending in the deer and elk permit application packet—became final Feb. 16.
The hunting districts that were listed as pending in the application packet are now available online. The 2012 hunting regulations will be online by March 15. Hard copies of the hunting regulations will be on the shelf at FWP offices and local licenses providers by April 1.
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 website.
To request an elk or deer permit 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.
Hunter Ed Courses Online, Too
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offers hunter education on the Internet to anyone 18 years and older.
State law requires anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 to take a hunter education course and complete a field course before purchasing a hunting license in Montana. The $15 online course allows adults to take the required hunter education course at their convenience.
Following the online coursework, students must sign up for a scheduled field day. There are field days available throughout Montana every spring and into the fall.