Deer hunters who want to hunt the Marias River Wildlife Management Area, southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406 have from June 1 to June 30 to submit their application.

A random drawing will take place for deer hunting periods during the archery season, Sept. 1 – Oct. 14, or the general rifle season, Oct. 20 – Nov. 11. Access to the WMA will be allocated as follows:

Archery Season - Deer Hunting Periods

• 10 archers for the first 2 weeks (Sept. 1-Sept. 14)
• 10 archers for the 3rd and 4th weeks (Sept. 15-Sept. 28)
• 10 archery hunters for 5th and 6th weeks (Sept. 29-Oct. 14)

General Season - Deer Hunting Periods

• 10 rifle hunters for the 1st week (Oct. 20-Oct. 26)
• 10 rifle hunters for the 2nd week (Oct. 27-Nov. 2)
• 10 rifle hunters for the 3rd and final week (Nov. 3-Nov. 11)

Public hunting access for all other species is open on the Marias River WMA.

Hunters can submit applications from 8 a.m., June 1, until 5 p.m., June 30. All drawing applications must be submitted electronically either on the FWP web page at fwp.mt.gov, or at any FWP regional or area office.

Points to remember

• 10 archery hunters randomly chosen per 2 week period.
• Three archery hunt periods, each 2 weeks in length.
• 10 general hunting season (rifle) hunters randomly chosen per 7-9 day period.
• Three general season (rifle) hunt periods, each 7-9 days in length.
• Hunters may apply for either archery or rifle season but not both.
• No party applications accepted.
• Hunt periods will be allotted at the time of drawing and are not transferable.
• Hunters may apply only once.
• Drawing application may be submitted electronically beginning 8 a.m., June 1, on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov, or at any FWP regional office.
• Drawing application must be received by FWP no later than 5 p.m., June 30, 2012.
• Incomplete, incorrect or duplicate drawing applications will be removed prior to the drawing.
• Hunters must include their full name, address, phone number, and correctly formatted ALS number and indicate desired hunt– archery or general rifle hunting season on the drawing application.
• Drawing will take place after June 30 and only successful applicants will be notified of drawing results.
• Successful drawing applicants will be contacted with hunt access information and authorized permission before the start of the archery season.
• Successful drawing applicants may use any deer license valid in Hunting District 406.

All hunting will conform to the existing FWP Commission-established season structure in HD 406.