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Hunt > Hunter Access Marias River WMA Hunting Access

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission approved a random drawing for deer-hunter access to Montana's Marias River Wildlife Management Area, southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406.

Deer hunters must apply for an opportunity to access the WMA via a random drawing for deer hunting periods during the Archery Season—September 7 through October 20, 2024; or the General Rifle Season—October 26 through December 1, 2024.

Public hunting access for all other species (except deer) is open on the Marias River Wildlife Management Area

 

2024 Marias River WMA Deer Hunting Access

Deer hunters must apply for an opportunity to access the WMA via a random drawing for deer hunting periods during the Archery Season—September 7 through October 20, 2024; or the General Rifle Season—October 26 through December, 2024.

Deadline: Apply by June 30 at 5 p.m.

 

Applications open June 1 at 8 a.m.

 

For questions about the application process, please contact the FWP Region 4 Office at 406-454-5840.
 

Access Allocation to Marias River WMA

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

2024 Archery Season - Deer Hunting Periods

  • 10 archers for the first 2 weeks (Sept 7 – Sept 21)
  • 10 archers for the 3rd and 4th weeks (Sept 22 – Oct 5)
  • 10 archery hunters for 5th and 6th weeks (Oct 6 – Oct 20)

2024 General Season - Deer Hunting Periods

  • 10 rifle hunters for the 1st week (Oct 26 – Oct Nov 1)
  • 10 rifle hunters for the 2nd week (Nov 2 – Nov 8)
  • 10 rifle hunters for the 3rd week (Nov 9 – Nov 17)
  • 5 rifle hunters for the 4th week (Nov 18 – Nov 24)
    • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply
  • 5 rifle hunters for the 5th and final week (Nov 25 – Dec 1)
    • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply

Points to Remember

  • Application must be made electronically (fwp.mt.gov) beginning 8:00 AM, June 1, 2024.  Persons may make electronic application at FWP Regional offices.
  • Application deadline is 5:00 PM, June 30, 2024.
  • 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, 2024.
  • 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.