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Marias River Wildlife Management Area deer hunting access permit drawing now open

Jun 1, 2023 8:00 AM

SHELBY - Hunters who want to hunt deer on the Marias River Wildlife Management Area southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406, must apply and submit their application online during the month of June. 

Applicants must put in for one specific archery or one specific rifle hunt period.  There are three archery hunt periods each lasting approximately two weeks, three general season hunt periods lasting approximately one week each, and two antlered buck permit hunt periods each lasting one week.  Applicants for the two antlered buck permit hunt periods must possess either a 406-50 or a 406-51 Antlered Buck Permit.

Hunters can submit applications beginning 8 a.m., June 1, until 5 p.m., June 30.  All drawing applications must be submitted electronically online either on the FWP web page at: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/marias-river-wma  or at any FWP regional office.

Public hunting access for all other species is open on the Marias River WMA without an access permit.

Deer Hunting Access Permits to the Marias River Wildlife Management Area will be allocated as follows:

2023 Archery Season - Deer Hunting Periods

  • 10 archers for the first 2 weeks (Sept 2 – Sept 16)
  • 10 archers for the 3rd and 4th weeks (Sept 1 – Sept 30)
  • 10 archery hunters for 5th and 6th weeks (Oct 1 – Oct 15)

2023 General Season - Deer Hunting Periods

  • 10 rifle hunters for the 1st week (Oct 21 – Oct 27)
  • 10 rifle hunters for the 2nd week (Oct 28 – Nov 3)
  • 10 rifle hunters for the 3rd week (Nov 4 – Nov 12)
  • 5 rifle hunters for the 4th week (Nov 13 – Nov 19)
    • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply
  • 5 rifle hunters for the 5th and final week (Nov 20 – Nov 26)
    • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply

 

Other points to remember:

  • Application must be made electronically (fwp.mt.gov) beginning 8:00 AM, June 1, 2023.  Persons may make electronic application at FWP Regional offices.
  • Application deadline is 5:00 PM, June 30, 2023.
  • Applicants must include their full name, address, phone number, valid email address, ALS number and desired hunt period.
  • Incomplete applications will be removed from the drawing.
  • Hunters may apply only once. Duplicate applications will be removed from the drawing.
  • No party applications accepted.
  • Drawing will take place after June 30, 2023.
  • 10 archery hunters randomly chosen per 2-week period.
  • 3 archery hunt periods, each approximately 2-week in length.
  • 10 general hunting season (rifle) hunters randomly chosen for the first 3 general season (rifle) hunt periods, each 7-9 days in length.
  • 5 permit-season hunting (rifle) hunters randomly chosen for hunt periods 4 and 5, each 7 days in length.  Applicants for hunt periods 4 and 5 must possess either a 406-50 or a 406-51 deer permit. 
  • Hunt periods are not transferable.
  • Successful applicants will be contacted by email with hunt access information and authorized permission prior to the start of the archery season.
  • Successful applicants may use any deer license valid in Hunting District 406.
  • All hunting will conform to the existing F&W Commission-established season structure in HD 406.
  • Apprentice hunters may not apply for limited licenses or permits including the Marias River WMA Deer Hunting Access Permit. 

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