Landowners are critical to the work of conserving Montana’s wildlife populations and habitat.

To recognize their important role in conserving these resources, landowners have opportunities to receive licenses or permits and to sponsor hunters to hunt on their deeded land.

 

Landowner Preference

Landowner Preference may increase your chances of drawing a permit. For eligible applicants using their own land, 15% of each hunting district’s quota is reserved for Landowner Preference.

 

Deer Permit, Deer B Tag, Antelope Tag, or Antelope B Tag
To qualify, a landowner must:

• Own at least 160 acres of land
• The land must be primarily used for agricultural purposes
• The land must be located within the hunting district applied for

Elk Permit or Elk B Tag
To qualify, a landowner must:

• Own at least 640 acres of contiguous land
• The land must be used by elk and verified by FWP
• The land must be located within the hunting district applied for

Elk Damage Landowner Preference
To qualify, a landowner must:

• Own at least 160 acres of contiguous agricultural land used for production
• Have documented elk damage verified by FWP within the previous two years

Please contact your local FWP Regional Office for assistance with the Elk Damage Landowner Preference application.

 

Application Information

Landowners must apply for their license or permit through the Online Licensing System. Once you have submitted your online application, you must also submit the Landowner Preference Required Additional Information Form by the applicable deadlines listed below.

• Elk and Deer Permit: April 1, 2026, at 11:45 pm MST
• Elk B, Deer B, Antelope, and Antelope B: June 1, 2026, at 11:45 pm MST

Landowner Preference applies to your first-choice permit only. If using Landowner Preference, party applications are not allowed.

• 2025 Landowner Preference (PDF)
  Required additional information that must be submitted to complete your license

 

For more information, call 406-444-2950.

 

Landowner Sponsor

Montana landowners can sponsor nonresident deer hunters to hunt on their deeded land. 2,000 sponsored Combination licenses are set aside annually. Landowners who own 640 or more contiguous acres are eligible to sponsor hunters. Licenses are distributed equally, up to two sponsored hunters per landowner, before the remaining licenses are issued in a random drawing.

To be certified as a Landowner Sponsor, contact 406-444-2950. 

Hunters can apply for a Nonresident Landowner Sponsor Deer Combination through the Online Licensing System.

Landowner Report Form

NOTE: All active landowner sponsors must submit a report form by December 31 of each year to remain in ‘Active’ status and to continue to sponsor hunters on their land.

• 2025 Resident Landowner Sponser Record/Report Form (PDF)

Landowner Application

To register as a landowner sponsor for the 2025 license year, download the application below.

Deadline: To be approved and eligible to sponsor deer hunters on your land for the 2025 season, this application and any supporting documents must be postmarked by December 31, 2024

• Resident Landowner Sponsor Application (PDF)