New License And Passport Year Began March 1

Print

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds recreationists that all 2000 hunting and fishing licenses expired at midnight on Wednesday, February 29. To fish or pursue any game animals during scheduled seasons from March 1 of this year through Feb. 28, 2001, hunters and anglers will need to have new 2000 licenses. 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 beginning 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. The Social Security number will be treated as confidential information. Also new this year, a $5 Warm Water Fish Stamp will be required to posses warm water game fish caught on designated waters. The stamp, established in a law passed by the 1999 Montana State Legislature, will help fund a new multi-species fish hatchery planned near Fort Peck Dam. Resident and nonresident anglers (except youth under 15, seniors and disabled anglers) will need the new Warm Water Fish Stamp. For details check the 2000-2001 fishing regulations. State Park Passports for 2000, which will permit recreationists unlimited access from March 1 through Feb. 28, 2001 to all state parks where user fees are charged, also are available at all FWP offices and from license agents. Parks Passports discounted for low income residents and families are available at FWP offices in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Butte, Havre, Lewistown, Billings, Miles City and Helena or at the following state parks: Bannack, Chief Plenty Coups, Lewis & Clark Caverns and Makoshika.