How to apply in Montana

If you were born after Jan. 1, 1985, you are required to show proof of completing a Montana hunter safety and education course or an approved hunter safety course from any other state or province prior to applying for or purchasing a hunting license

This license allows the apprentice to hunt some species, while accompanied by a 10 mentor, without frst completing a hunter education course.

Base Hunting License (MCA 87-2-116) A required prerequisite for hunting or applying for a permit or license.

Each new license year, a new Conservation License is required to purchase any fshing, trapping, or hunting license(s), or to apply for licenses/permits.

Bonus points accumulate until you are successful in the drawing.

For instance, if you have 10 bonus points, you get 101 “raffle tickets” for the drawing – 100 for your squared bonus points and 1 for your current application: (10 x 10) + 1.

A unique feature about Montana’s system is that we square bonus points prior to drawing. So, the more bonus points you have, the number of “raffle tickets” you have in the drawing goes up exponentially.

75% of nonresident combination licenses are awarded to applicants in the order of which applicants have purchased the greatest number of preference points. The other 25% are awarded to applicants who have not purchased any preference points via random drawing.

Any accumulated preference points are lost if the applicant does not apply for a nonresident combination license in consecutive years, or if you are successful at obtaining a combination license.

No one may hold more than 3 preference points.

Outfitter clients are eligible to purchase second preference point for an additional $100 at the time of application.

The fee to purchase a bonus point without applying is $15 per species for residents, and the nonresident fees are $25 per species with the exception of moose, sheep, and goat, which are $75 per species.

A BONUS POINT CAN BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY BETWEEN JULY 1 AND SEPT. 30

Nonresident hunters can increase their likelihood of drawing a Combination license by purchasing and accumulating Preference Points ($100).

Those who do not apply for a combination license may purchase one preference point for $100 over the counter from July 1 through December 31.

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Bonus point with an application: $2 resident, $20 nonresident per license/permit type

One bonus point per license type per year, with the application or between July 1 and Sept. 30 if not applying; $15 resident, $25 nonresident, $75 nonresident for moose, sheep and goat

75% to preference-point holders (most points first), 25% random to applicants with no points

Up to fifteen percent of final quotas set aside for landowner preference; nonresident landowners at most 10%

Big Game Combination 17,000; Deer Combination 4,600; Landowner Sponsored 2,000 issued

17,000 Big Game Combination Licenses

Limited to, but not guaranteed, 10% of the special license/permit quota

Limited to, but not guaranteed, 10% of the license/permit quota

In Montana, a “party” means a group of 2-5 persons applying together to obtain a license or permit.

Please note: A party receives one entry into the draw, the odds for the group are the same as they are for a single applicant. Applying as a group ensures you all go together if successful, but it does not increase the mathematical chance of being selected. Example; a party of 5 receives one seed number (one entry) rather than five individual entries.

Bonus points for party applications are the average of their individual base bonus points rounded to the nearest whole number.

Preference points for party applications are the average of their individual preference points rounded to the third decimal point.

Preference points for party applications are the average of their individual preference points rounded to the third decimal point.

Up to 5 applicants may apply as a party.

7 years after receiving a moose license

7 years after receiving a mountain goat license

Seven years after a limited ram license, or after harvesting a ram on an unlimited license; ewe licenses not restricted

Online: check drawing results at MyFWP

*First-and-only permits do not go to surplus. Your only opportunity to obtain a first-and-only permit is through the drawing.*

Licenses and permits may be made available for purchase after the drawing if the department receives fewer applications than the number of licenses available for the department to issue. These licenses are called surplus licenses.

Surplus License List: sign up, list is randomized, hunters at the top are emailed to buy (typically a five day window)

Deer Permit 6/15/2026 - 7/15/2026

Elk Permit 6/15/2026 - 7/15/2026

NOTE: In addition to the fees listed below, all applications require a nonrefundable $5 application fee. The exception is moose, sheep, goat and bison which have a $50 application fee.

The exception is moose, sheep, goat and bison which have a $50 application fee.