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Hunt > Hunter Access Marias River WMA Hunting Access

Jun 1, 2025 8:00 AM

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 6 through October 19, 2025; or the General Rifle Season—October 25 through November 30, 2025.

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

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

The 2025 application period is now closed

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:

2025 Archery Season - Deer Hunting Periods

  • 10 archers for the first 2 weeks (Sept 6 – Sept 20)
  • 10 archers for the 3rd and 4th weeks (Sept 21 – Oct 4)
  • 10 archery hunters for 5th and 6th weeks (Oct 5 – Oct 19)

2025 General Season - Deer Hunting Periods

  • 10 rifle hunters for the 1st week (Oct 25 – Oct 31)
  • 10 rifle hunters for the 2nd week (Nov 1 – Nov 7)
  • 10 rifle hunters for the 3rd week (Nov 8 – Nov 16)
  • 5 rifle hunters for the 4th week (Nov 17 – Nov 23)
    • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply
  • 5 rifle hunters for the 5th and final week (Nov 24 – Nov 30)
    • 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, 2025.  Persons may make electronic application at FWP Regional offices.
  • Application deadline is 5:00 PM, June 30, 2025.
  • 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, 2025.
  • 10 archery hunters randomly chosen per 2-week period.
  • 3 archery hunt periods, each approximately 2-week in length.
  • 10 general season (rifle) hunters randomly chosen per weekly period.
  • 3 general season (rifle) hunt periods, each 7-9 days in length.
  • 5 permit-season hunting (rifle) hunters randomly chosen per weekly period
  • 2 permit hunt periods, each 7 days in length.
  • Applicants for permit hunt periods 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.