Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks :: COVID-19 Response and Updates

This page will be updated as information becomes available. (Last update: 4/24/2020)

Resources for latest updates

FWP news on COVID-19
Information for nonresidents and visitors to Montana
Official Information on Coronavirus in Montana From Montana DPHHS
Governor's Coronavirus Task Force — Includes current statewide FAQ

License Purchasing

License buyers can purchase licenses online or from license providers around the state. Hunters applying for special licenses or permits need to do so online and need to have a valid email address. FWP will mail carcass tags to those who purchase online, and people who have had trouble printing their licenses will receive them in the mail.

In response to COVID-19 and to protect the public as well as staff, FWP has decided to mail our carcass tags, just as we have done in years past. We understand that some people don’t have access to a printer at home. If you purchased a license that requires a carcass tag already this year and have not printed it at home yet, FWP will also mail your carcass tag to you. Please disregard the email with the link to print, it will no longer work.

For the foreseeable future, people interested in getting help with application and licensing questions should call the FWP Licensing Call Center at 406-444-2950 or email fwplic@mt.gov.
The licensing call center will be answering calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. At times the call volume is high; please be patient as statewide staff work hard to answer questions in a timely manner.
Buy a license online at: https://app.mt.gov/als/index/index.html.

Hunting Seasons

The nonresident spring turkey and bear seasons will resume, effective April 25. The nonresident 14-day quarantine directive remains in effect.

Quarantine directives for out-of-state travelers to Montana

Additional restrictions could be in effect in individual counties and on Indian reservations. Please consult those jurisdictions before traveling.

All other regularly scheduled hunting seasons are not cancelled at this time. All hunters should practice social distancing and all COVID-19 response directives from the governor, including limiting group gatherings and keeping six feet away from people.

Hunters should also keep this in mind when planning for their hunts. If hunting on private land, landowner permission is required, but should be sought by email or phone, not in person.

Spring 2020 harvest reporting changes:

For the spring black bear season, which starts April 15, all successful bear hunters are required to report their harvest through the FWP Harvest Reporting Line 1-877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453) within 48 hours of harvest. Unlike in years past, FWP will not require or conduct a carcass inspection, hide seal or tooth collection
For remaining otter harvest, all successful otter trappers are required to report their harvest through the FWP Harvest Reporting Line 1-877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453) within 24 hours of harvest. FWP will not require or conduct carcass inspections. Trappers need to coordinate with FWP for a CITES tag placement at a later date.
For remaining mountain lion harvest, all successful lion hunters are required to report their harvest through the FWP Harvest Reporting Line 1-877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453) within 12 hours of harvest. FWP will not require or conduct carcass inspection and will not require or place hide seals and will not require or collect teeth. For those lion hunters who received a lion genetic sample kit associated with the lion population estimate occurring between Libby and Plains, please submit the samples as planned.
Any person that recovers a bighorn sheep head must report them to the FWP Harvest Reporting Line 1-877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453) within 48 hours and make arrangements with an FWP employee to get the sheep head pinned at a later date when things improve.

Fishing Seasons

Paddlefish Season

The 2020 paddlefish seasons on the Yellowstone and Lower Missouri rivers (yellow tag) are canceled in response to Gov. Steve Bullock’s extension of the directives for social distancing and non-resident quarantine to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Upper Missouri Paddlefish remains open for those who drew a tag. Tags are being mailed. Snag and release permits will not be issued, so this season will only be open for those who drew a tag.

Out-of-state anglers:

Quarantine directives for out-of-state travelers to Montana

FWP Sites

Camping will be open at most FWP fishing access sites and state parks on May 1. Campers may encounter reduced amenities or limited services from May 1-15, that are typical for the opening of early-season recreational sites.

Group-use sites, including fishing piers, will open May 1, but social distancing guidelines must be strictly followed.

Visit stateparks.mt.gov for Montana State Parks COVID-19 updates and closures.

Smith River

Float recreation on the Smith River will resume May 5. Between now and then FWP staff will continue to work with local and federal partners on ways to safely allow recreation in this popular state park and river corridor. Again, out-of-state travelers must follow the governor’s 14-day quarantine directive.

Bannack State Park

Bannack State Park remains closed to all visitors. Given the nature of Bannack State Park and the desire to tour the many buildings that comprise the town site, it is next to impossible to adhere to the Governor’s social distancing directives and still allow tours.

FWP Offices closed to the public

To protect the public and staff from the spread of COVID-19, FWP offices around the state are closed to the public.

Visitor centers and public meeting spaces at many FWP facilities are also closed due to recommendations on social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.