The FWP Commission approved a random drawing for deer-hunter access to Montana's Marias River State Park and Wildlife Management Area, southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406.

Deer hunters must apply for an opportunity to access the WMA via a random drawing for deer hunting periods during the Archery Season—September 3 through October 16; or the General Rifle Season—October 22 through November 13.

Access to the new Marias River State Park and Wildlife Management Area will be allocated as follows:

Public hunting access for all other species (except deer) is open on the Marias River State Park and Wildlife Management Area.

• General Use Rules ( 22 KB)

Application

The deadline to submit applications has passed. It was 5 PM on June 30, 2011.

For questions about the application process, please contact the FWP Region 4 Office at (406) 454-5840.

NOTE: Only successful drawing applicants will be notified of their authorized deer hunting access dates and maps via a letter from FWP.

Points to remember

• 10 archery hunters randomly chosen per 2 week period.
• 3 archery hunt periods, each 2 weeks in length.
• 10 general hunting season (rifle) hunters randomly chosen per 7-9 day period.
• 3 general season (rifle) hunt periods, each 7-9 days in length.
• Hunters may apply for either archery or rifle season but not both.
• No party applications accepted.
• Hunt periods will be allotted at the time of drawing and are not transferable.
• Hunters may apply only once per year.
• Drawing application may be submitted electronically beginning 8 AM, June 1, 2011 (drawing applications may be submitted at any FWP regional or area office if you do not have access to a home computer.)
• Drawing application must be received by FWP no later than 5 PM, June 30, 2011.
• Incomplete, incorrect or duplicate drawing applications will be removed prior to the drawing.
• Hunters must include their full name, address, phone number, and correctly formatted ALS number and indicate desired hunt– archery or general rifle hunting season on the drawing application.
• Drawing will take place after June 30 with only successful applicants notified of drawing results
• Successful drawing applicants will be contacted with hunt access information and authorized permission prior to the start of the archery season.
• Successful drawing applicants may use any deer license valid in Hunting District 406.
• All hunting on the Marias River State Park and Wildlife Management Area will conform to the existing FWP Commission-established season structure in HD 406.