A new plan in the interest of human safety
Western Montana’s Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a popular destination for antler hunters when it opens for the season annually at noon on May 15. This year, due to human safety concerns with the growing congestion and pedestrian traffic along Highway 83, opening day antler hunters accessed the area following a different process. Thanks for your patience this year, and we hope you will share your feedback by answering the survey below.
Please share you feedback from the 2024 opening day:
Background info
Public meeting
Thanks to all that participated in the public meeting on February 15 to share your ideas and provide input. View the meeting recording
Using input that we heard at the public meeting, we refined the access plan that antler hunters used for the 2024 opener.
No limits, but registration was required
Instead of staging vehicles along Hwy 83, as done in past years, those planning to access the WMA by vehicle were able register here beginning Monday, April 1 (noon) through Friday, April 19 (midnight), 2024. There was no limit to the number of vehicles that accessed the WMA on opening day. Instead, the order of entry was randomized through a drawing of those that registered by April 19. Those that missed the initial registration were also given a chance to add their name to a second list to be placed in chronological order behind those that have already registered. This second list closed on May 3. Those that missed registration were allowed to enter behind registered vehicles.
Walk-in, horse and later vehicle entry
Walk-in and horse access was available from designated parking areas on the west side of the WMA, off Hwy 83, beginning at noon, with no registration required. Beginning at 2 p.m., the west entrance of the WMA also opened to vehicles with no registration required.
Anyone 12 and older always need to have a conservation license to enter a WMA. If you have a hunting or fishing license, you already automatically have your conservation license, and if not, you can buy online, at an FWP or at any license provider.
For more information, contact:
Vivaca Crowser
FWP regional communication and education manager
406-542-5518
vcrowser@mt.gov