FWP Reminds Hunters To Pay Attention To The Details In A Year Of Change

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Change is one of the inevitable realities of life, even for those simple, treasured rituals related to one of the state’s most popular activities—hunting.  Hunting and fishing regulations and procedures at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks change on a regular basis.  For example, this year the agency changed to an Automated Licensing System to streamline the sale of licenses and the record keeping involved. 

Another, less obvious change this year, is the modification of the License and Permit Type Codes throughout the 2002 regulation books for Deer, Elk, Antelope, Moose, Goat and Bighorn Sheep. 

License and Permit Type Codes are two-digit extensions on Hunting District numbers.  The extensions represent the different types of hunting opportunities available in a particular district.  This year the codes have been changed to make them consistent in all the hunting districts and among the seven FWP regions.

For example, an either sex elk permit in the Elkhorn Mountains (near Helena) last year was designated as 01 in Hunting District 380, or 380-01.  This year 380-01 is a license for an antlerless elk—a real speed bump for a hunter hoping for an elk with a nice rack.  The License and Permit Type Code for an either sex elk permit in Hunting District 380 this year is 20, or 380-20.

In a world of change, the big changes may be the ones that get the attention, but it is the small changes that may be the real stumbling blocks.  In 2002, the best precaution for hunters is to take a little extra time all around and to wonder aloud, not silently, if something doesn’t look right.  It is probably the result of the inevitable—change.

Hunters with questions on the 2002 Hunting Regulations may call 406-444-2535.  The Deer and Elk Regulation books will be available the first week of April at all FWP offices and FWP license providers.