The following table is a brief summary of the majority of different licenses and permits that are available (All are licenses unless noted.) Detailed information can be found by looking at the regulations for the specific species that you are interested in.

• A license provides an opportunity to "harvest" the species for which the license is valid.
• A permit does not allow a hunter to "harvest" the species for which the permit is valid. A permit must be used in conjunction with a license and the permit enhances a hunting opportunity.
• A Conservation License is a prerequisite for all resident and nonresident hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. It is included in the resident sportsman’s and nonresident combination license packages. See more information below.
• The Hunting Access Enhancement Fee (HAEF) The Hunting Access Enhancement Fee (HAEF) is an annual fee charged when a hunter purchases first hunting license each year. It is included in the nonresident combination license packages. See more information below.

    

Antelope

Type of License / Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Antelope	Licenses limited to specific districts.	June 1 SD	Resident * $19	Nonresident * $205
Antelope Multi-region Archery Only	Either-sex archery only license. License limited to specific regions. May be applicant's first, second, or third choice.	June 1 SD	Resident $19	Nonresident $205

Bighorn Sheep

Type of License/ Permit ssss	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Bighorn Sheep Limited / Unlimited		May 1 SD	Resident ***$130	Nonresident *** $755

Bison

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Bison	Successful applicants are required to pay a license fee of $125 for residents or $750 for nonresidents.	May 1 SD	Resident *$5 ***$125	Nonresident *$5 *** $750

Black Bear

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Spring Season	A black bear license purchased after April 14 may not be used until 24 hours after the license is issued.	Spring—    April 14 OTC	Resident $19	Nonresident $350
Fall Season	A black bear license purchased after August 31 may not be used until 24 hours after the license is issues.	Fall—    August 31 OTC	Resident $19	Nonresident $350

Prerequisite: Hunters mush show proof of having passed a bear identification test before purchasing a bear license.

Bow and Arrow (Archery)

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Bow and Arrow (Archery)	A Bow and Arrow license, plus the proper hunting licenses, is required during: 1) an Archery Only Season for any species; or 2) to archery hunt in an Arch-Equip only area or hunting district. Prerequisite: See bowhunter education requirements.	OTC	Resident $10	Nonresident $10

Come Home to Hunt

See Deer or Elk.

Conservation

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Conservation License	A Conservation License is a prerequisite for all resident and nonresident licenses. It includes the state lands license (for hunting, fishing and trapping). It also allows a resident or nonresident who is a Legion of Valor member, regardless of age, to fish. Residents 12-14 years of age and 62 or older need only a conservation license to fish and to hunt migratory birds and upland game birds, excluding turkey. Federal waterfowl stamp also required for individuals (both resident and nonresident) 16 and older.	OTC	Resident $8	Nonresident $10
Conservation — Disabled Resident	Residents certified as permanently and substantially disabled, as designated by FWP rules, must purchase this license annually which authorizes fishing, hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey & migratory birds, the purchase of general deer license for $6.50 and general elk for $8 and includes a State Lands license (for hunting, fishing and trapping). A Federal waterfowl stamp is also required for individuals (both resident and nonresident ) 16 and older.	FWP	Resident $8	Nonresident

Deer

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Deer — General	License is valid for one deer. Hunters may hold only one general deer license, which can be used for deer as indicated under the “General Deer License” heading on the deer and elk hunting regulations. Montana residents 12-14 years of age or holders of a disabled resident conservation license, may purchase a general deer license for $6.50. Residents 62 years and older may purchase this license for $10.	OTC	Resident $16	Nonresident
Deer B License	The B License is an Antlerless deer license valid during a specific time period and in a particular hunting district or group of districts.		Resident	Nonresident
Deer B — Drawing	B Licenses will be offered through a drawing.	June 1 SD	Resident * $15	Nonresident * $80
Deer B — Over-the-counter		August 5 OTC	Resident $10	Nonresident $75
Deer B — Antlerless Whitetail, Single Region	Allows hunting of antlerless white-tailed deer only, in one region only. Hunter must designate region upon purchase.	August 5 OTC	Resident $10	Nonresident $75
Deer Combination— General	Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation, state lands, and general deer license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. 4,600 licenses available. [Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $570
Deer Combination — Landowner Sponsored	Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation, state lands, and general deer license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. Landowner certificates should be obtained from your landowner sponsor. 2,000 licenses available. [Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $570
Deer Permits	The permit must be used with a general deer hunting license. A permit is not a second license and does not allow the holder to kill an additional animal. Rather, it expands the opportunity to hunt for a species in a particular hunting district allowing the hunter in some hunting districts to harvest a Buck Mule Deer. General deer license is available to nonresidents only through the Deer or Big Game Combination Licenses.	March 15 SD	Resident * $5	Nonresident * $5
Nonresident Montana Native Deer License	For former resident with current resident relative, other qualifications apply. [Learn more]		Resident	Nonresident $64
Come Home to Hunt - Big Game Combination	To qualify you must have previously hunted in Montana as a resident or hold a Montana hunter education certificate. This license requires a sponsor who is a Montana resident family member, including direct In-laws, who also holds a 2013 resident hunting license. Includes General Deer and Elk, Upland Game Bird, Fishing, Conservation license and HAEF. A total of 500 are available.[Learn more]	OTC at Helena HQT only	Resident	Nonresident ** $959
Come Home to Hunt - Deer Combination	To qualify you must have previously hunted in Montana as a resident or hold a Montana hunter education certificate. This license requires a sponsor who is a Montana resident family member, including direct In-laws, who also holds a 2013 resident hunting license. Includes General Deer and Elk, Upland Game Bird, Fishing, Conservation license and HAEF. A total of 500 are available.[Learn more]	OTC at Helena HQT only	Resident	Nonresident ** $570

Elk

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Elk — General	License is valid for one elk. Hunters may hold only one general elk license, which can be used for elk as indicated under the “General Elk License” heading on the deer and elk hunting regulations. Montana residents 12-14 years of age or holders of a disabled resident conservation license may purchase a license for $8. Residents 62 years and older may purchase this license for $12.	OTC	Resident $20	Nonresident
Elk B License	The B License is an Antlerless elk license valid during a specific time period and in a particular hunting district or group of districts.		Resident	Nonresident
Elk B — Drawing	B Licenses will be offered through a drawing.	June 1 SD	Resident * $25	Nonresident * $278
Elk B — Over-the-counter	B Licenses will be offered through a drawing.	August 6 OTC	Resident $20	Nonresident $273
Elk Combination — General	Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation, state lands and elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. This license is included in the 17,000 quota of big game elk/deer combination license. [Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $809
Elk Permits	The permit must be used with a general elk hunting license. A permit is not a second license and does not allow the holder to kill an additional animal. Rather, it expands the opportunity to hunt for a species in a particular hunting district allowing the hunter to harvest a Bull Elk or either-sex. Residents must hold a valid general elk license to apply. Nonresidents must hold a big game or elk combination license to apply. State refund policy does not allow refunds under $5. If you are unsuccessful for only an elk permit, a refund will not be sent.	March 15 SD	Resident * $9	Nonresident * $9
Nonresident Montana Native Elk License	For former resident with current resident relative, other qualifications apply. [Learn more]		Resident	Nonresident $80
Come Home to Hunt - Big Game Combination	To qualify you must have previously hunted in Montana as a resident or hold a Montana hunter education certificate. This license requires a sponsor who is a Montana resident family member, including direct In-laws, who also holds a 2013 resident hunting license. Includes General Deer and Elk, Upland Game Bird, Fishing, Conservation license and HAEF. A total of 500 are available.[Learn more]	OTC at Helena HQT only	Resident	Nonresident ** $959

Hound Training

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Hound Training	Allows a Montana resident to train hounds during the hound training season without a mountain lion license. See mountain lion hunting regulations for specifics.	OTC	Resident $5	Nonresident

Hunting Access Enhancement Fee (HAEF)

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Hunting Access Enhancement Fee	This is an annual fee and will be assessed at the time the hunter purchases his/her first hunting license (including upland and migratory bird).	OTC	Resident $2	Nonresident $10

Montana Migratory Bird (Waterfowl)

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Montana Migratory Bird	Residents 12-15 years of age, 62 or older or holders of the Resident Disabled Conservation License need only purchase a conservation license; residents 16-61 and nonresidents 16 and older need a conservation license, a Montana migratory bird license. Federal waterfowl stamp also required for individuals (both resident and nonresident) 16 and older.	OTC	Resident $6.50	Nonresident $50
Nonresident Youth Upland Game Bird / Waterfowl	Nonresident youth 12–15 must purchase an upland game bird license which includes the free MT Migratory Bird License (Federal waterfowl stamp not required.)	OTC	Resident	Nonresident $35

Moose

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Moose		May 1 SD	Resident *$5 ***$130	Nonresident *$5 *** $755

Mountain Goat

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Mountain Goat		May 1 SD	Resident *$5 ***$130	Nonresident *$5 *** $755

Mountain Lion

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Mountain Lion — General	A mountain lion license purchased after August 31 may be purchased at any license provider, any FWP office, or online AND may not be used until 5 days after the license is issued.	August 31 OTC	Resident $19	Nonresident $320
Mountain Lion — Special License Application Fee	Some districts require special licenses. Successful applicants are required to pay a license fee of $19 for residents or $320 for nonresidents.	August 31 SD	Resident *$5 ***$19	Nonresident *$5 *** $320
Mountain Lion Trophy	Must be purchased after mountain lion kill.	FWP	Resident $50	Nonresident $50

Nonresident Deer/Elk Combination

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Big Game Elk/Deer Combination — General	Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation, state lands, general deer, and general elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. 17,000 licenses available. [Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $959
Deer Combination— General	Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation, state lands, and general deer license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. 4,600 licenses available. [Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $570
Deer Combination — Landowner Sponsored	Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation, state lands, and general deer license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. Landowner certificates should be obtained from your landowner sponsor. 2,000 licenses available. [Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $570
Elk Combination — General	Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a conservation, state lands and elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. This license is included in the 17,000 quota of big game elk/deer combination license. [Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $809
Come Home to Hunt - Big Game Combination	To qualify you must have previously hunted in Montana as a resident or hold a Montana hunter education certificate. This license requires a sponsor who is a Montana resident family member, including direct In-laws, who also holds a 2013 resident hunting license. Includes General Deer and Elk, Upland Game Bird, Fishing, Conservation license and HAEF. A total of 500 are available.[Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $959
Come Home to Hunt - Deer Combination	To qualify you must have previously hunted in Montana as a resident or hold a Montana hunter education certificate. This license requires a sponsor who is a Montana resident family member, including direct In-laws, who also holds a 2013 resident hunting license. Includes General Deer, Upland Game Bird, Fishing, Conservation license and HAEF. A total of 500 are available.[Learn more]	March 15 SD	Resident	Nonresident ** $570
Youth Combination	Includes General Elk and Deer, Upland Game Bird, Fishing, Conservation license and HAEF. There is no sales limit quota. Youth must be at least 12 and under 18 years of age with a sponsor who is a natural or adoptive parent, grandparent— or adult brother, or sister—who also holds a 2013 resident or nonresident general deer or elk license. The youth must hunt with the licensed sponsor.	OTC	Resident	Nonresident $482

Nonresident Montana Native Hunting

See Deer, Elk, or Upland Game Bird.

Person with Disabilities Opportunities

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Resident with a Disability Conservation License	This license allows disabled Montana residents to obtain a Conservation License, a Deer A and an Elk license at a reduced cost, and receive fish, upland game bird, and state waterfowl licenses for free. [Learn more]	FWP	Resident $8	Nonresident
Permit To Modify Archery Equipment	This permit allows a person with a disability to use modified archery tackle that supports the bow, and draws, holds, and releases the string to accommodate the individual's disability. [Learn more]	FWP	Resident $0	Nonresident $0
Permit To Hunt From A Vehicle	This permit authorizes the permit-holder to hunt from a vehicle wherever vehicular traffic is allowed and permission to hunt is authorized. [Learn more]	FWP	Resident $0	Nonresident $0

Sandhill Crane

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Sandhill Crane	See Webless Migratory Birds regulations for details.	July 25 SD	Resident * $5	Nonresident * $5
Sandhill Crane — Central Flyway Only	See Webless Migratory Birds regulations for details.	OTC	Resident $0	Nonresident $0

Sportsman's Licenses

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Sportsman's (Including Bear)	Includes a conservation, state lands, general deer, general elk, and black bear (see Black Bear above) license and authorizes fishing, and hunting of upland birds, excluding turkey.	Spring—    April 15 Fall—    August 31 OTC	Resident $85	Nonresident
Sportsman's (Without Bear)	Includes a conservation, state lands, general deer, and general elk license and authorizes fishing, and hunting of upland birds, excluding turkey. Residents 62 years and older may purchase this license for $55. Montana military members discharged or released from active duty that participated in a contingency operation outside the state for 2 months since September 11, 2001 may purchase this license at FWP offices for $2. To take advantage of these licenses you must obtain the license in the year that you returned from military service or in the following year.	OTC	Resident $70	Nonresident

State Lands Recreation

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
State Lands Recreation	Required for recreational use on state school trust lands.The State Lands Recreation License is included in the Montana Conservation License specifically for the purpose of hunting, fishing, and/or trapping (HFT). All other recreational use on state school trust lands requires the State Lands Recreation License. Youth 12-17 and 60+ pay half price ($5). Families, up to 5 members living in the same household, pay $20.	OTC	Resident $10	Nonresident $10

Swan

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Swan	See Migratory Game Birds regulations for details.	September 9 SD	Resident * $5	Nonresident * $5
Swan — Central Flyway Only	See Migratory Game Birds regulations for details.	OTC	Resident $0	Nonresident $0

Trapping

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
General Trapper	Available only to resident conservation license holders 12 years of age or older.	February 28 OTC	Resident $20	Nonresident
Landowner Trapper	Available to landowner or member of their immediate family. Trapping restricted to lands owned or leased by the applicant.	February 28 FWP	Resident $1	Nonresident
Nonresident Trapper	Available only to nonresident conservation license holders; 12 years of age or older, whose state of residence has nonresident trapper licenses available to Montana trappers. Valid for predatory animals and nongame wildlife. Season Dates: October 16–April 15.	February 28 FWP	Resident	Nonresident $250
Youth Trapper	Available only to resident conservation license holders 6 through 11 years of age. Valid for mink and muskrat.	FWP	Resident $0	Nonresident

Turkey

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Turkey — with Upland Game Bird	Prerequisite:Upland Game Bird license.	OTC	Resident $6.50	Nonresident $55
Turkey — without Upland Game Bird		OTC	Resident	Nonresident $115
Spring Permit	See "Spring Turkey regulations for details.	March 7 SD	Resident * $5.00	Nonresident * $5.00
Fall Permit	See Upland Game Birds regulations for details.	July 26 SD	Resident * $5.00	Nonresident * $5.00

Upland Game Bird

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Upland Game Bird	Residents 12-14 years of age and 62 or older, or holders of a disabled resident conservation license need only a conservation license to hunt upland game birds. Nonresidents need only a conservation license as a prerequisite.	OTC	Resident $7.50	Nonresident $110
Upland Game Bird 3-Day Preserve	Nonresidents need only a conservation license as a prerequisite. Valid only on state-licensed private Shooting Preserves.	OTC	Resident	Nonresident $20
Youth Upland Game Bird	Available only to Montana residents 15-17 years of age. Nonresident youth 12–15 must purchase an upland game bird license which includes the free MT Migratory Bird License (Federal waterfowl stamp not required.)	OTC	Resident $3.00	Nonresident $35.00
Nonresident Montana Native Upland Game Bird License	For former resident with current resident relative, other qualifications apply. [Learn more]		Resident	Nonresident $30

Wolf

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Wolf	Available to conservation license holders 12 years of age or older. [Learn more]	OTC	Resident $19	Nonresident $50

Youth Opportunities

Type of License/ Permit	License Specifics	Deadline/ Availability	Res Cost	Nonres Cost
Youth Trapper	Available only to resident conservation license holders 6 through 11 years of age. Valid for mink and muskrat.	FWP	Resident $0	Nonresident
Youth Upland Game Bird	Available only to Montana residents 15-17 years of age.	OTC	Resident $3.00	Nonresident
Nonresident Youth Upland Game Bird / Waterfowl	Nonresident youth 12–15 must purchase an upland game bird license which includes the free MT Migratory Bird License (Federal waterfowl stamp not required.)	OTC	Resident	Nonresident $35
Youth Combination	Includes General Elk and Deer, Upland Game Bird, Fishing, Conservation license and HAEF. There is no sales limit quota. Youth must be at least 12 and under 18 years of age with a sponsor who is a natural or adoptive parent, grandparent— or adult brother, or sister—who also holds a 2013 resident or nonresident general deer or elk license. The youth must hunt with the licensed sponsor.	OTC at FWP only	Resident	Nonresident $482
Youth Combination Sports	Includes conservation, state lands, fishing, upland game bird (excluding turkey), general deer and general elk licenses. Available only to Montana residents 12-17 years of age.	OTC	Resident $25	Nonresident

Learn more about Youth Hunter Requirements and Hunting Opportunities.