Quick Access
- Determine if you need a deer or elk permit in your hunting area. A permit and a general license is required to hunt mule deer bucks and bull elk in certain hunting districts.
Review the maps for deer and elk. If the hunting district where you wish to hunt indicates a permit is required, you must apply by March 15. If the map indicates that no permit is required, your general Deer or Elk license is all you need to hunt there in 2013.
- Pick the correct permit code and know the hunting district.
Some hunting districts have more than 1 option for a permit, 1 for archery only or general season only, and 1 for archery and the general season. Some permits are also valid for more than 1 hunting district. Check the hunting district before you choose. Learn about the hunting district you wish to hunt before applying for the permit. Visit the Hunt Planner for hunting district details.
Note: You must list all 5 digits in a permit area on your application. Failure to list all 5 will result in an invalid permit choice.
- Check your odds of drawing a permit.
The general drawing statistics for elk and deer permits are located below the deer and elk hunting district maps.
- Are you applying as a party?
For paper applications: Make sure: (1) all party members are listed; (2) all party members apply for the same hunting districts, in the same order and include the same bonus-point participation; (3) all party applications must be submitted in the same envelope.
For online applications: The party establisher must list all party members and provide the party number to all party members so each member can apply online for that party.
- Are you using bonus points?
If you wish to participate in the bonus points program, make sure that you check “YES” on the bonus point questions and include the $2 Montana resident fee.
- Complete your application, but only after you have purchased your prerequisite Conservation License (and 2013 General Elk License, if you seek an elk permit).
Paper applications:
- Fill in your date of birth and ALS # then fill out all mandatory information
- Original signature
- Fill in all 5 permit numbers
- Double-check your math
- Postmark no later than March 15th
- Check out our permit application tips
We've put together some tips for a successful application.
