New License And Passport Year Begins March 1

Print

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds recreationists that all 2000 hunting and fishing licenses expired at midnight on Wednesday, February 28. To fish or pursue any game animals during scheduled seasons from March 1 of this year through Feb. 28, 2002, hunters and anglers will need to have new 2001licenses. New licenses are now on sale at all FWP offices or may be obtained from FWP license agents around the state. Hunters and anglers purchasing a Conservation License or license obtained through most special drawings will need, by law, to furnish their Social Security number again this year. Senate Bill 76, passed in 1999 by the Montana State Legislature to strengthen child-support enforcement efforts in the state, requires FWP to obtain a Social Security number from resident and nonresident license applicants -- including youth. Again this year, a $5 Warm Water Fish Stamp will be required of resident and nonresident anglers (except youth under 15, seniors and disabled anglers) to possess warm water game fish caught on designated waters. The stamp will help fund a new multi-species fish hatchery planned near Fort Peck Dam. For details check the 2000-2001 fishing regulations. To help encourage youth and their families to get out more and experience Montana’s great outdoors, resident youth ages 15 to 17 may purchase a Fishing License for $6.50 and resident Upland Game Bird License for $3.00 -- both about 50 percent less than the fees in previous years. A Combination Sports License for young Montanans ages 12 to 17 is available again this year for $25, about 50 percent of the fee paid for a similar license in previous years. The youth Combination Sports License allows fishing and hunting of upland game birds, deer and elk. These new fees will be in effect through February 2002. State Park Passports for 2001, which permit recreationists unlimited access from March 1 through Feb. 28, 2002 to all state parks where user fees are charged, are also available at all FWP offices and from license agents.