Skip to main content
Go to search page

HUNT MENU

MENU

A deer on a hillside.

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 5 through October 18, 2026; or the General Rifle Season—October 24 through November 29, 2026.

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 2026 application period is now open.

 

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

Access Allocation to Marias River WMA

Deer hunting access to the Marias River Wildlife Management Area will be allocated as follows:


2026 Archery Season - Deer Hunting Periods

  • 10 archers for the first 2 weeks (Sept 5 – Sept 19)

  • 10 archers for the 3rd and 4th weeks (Sept 20 – Oct 3)

  • 10 archery hunters for 5th and 6th weeks (Oct 4 – Oct 18)


2026 General Season - Deer Hunting Periods

  • 10 rifle hunters for the 1st week (Oct 24 – Oct 30)

  • 10 rifle hunters for the 2nd week (Oct 31 – Nov 6)

  • 10 rifle hunters for the 3rd week (Nov 7 – Nov 15)

  • 5 rifle hunters for the 4th week (Nov 16 – Nov 22)

    • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply

  • 5 rifle hunters for the 5th and final week (Nov 23 – Nov 29)

    • 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 on June 1, 2026.  People may make electronic application at FWP Regional offices.

  • Application deadline is 5:00 PM on June 30, 2026.

  • 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, 2026.

  • 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.