SHELBY – Hunters who want to hunt deer on the Marias River Wildlife Management Area southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406, must 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:

2022 Archery Season – Deer Hunting Periods

• 10 archers for the first 2 weeks (Sept 3 – Sept 17)
• 10 archers for the 3rd and 4th weeks (Sept 18 – Oct 1)
• 10 archery hunters for 5th and 6th weeks (Oct 2 – Oct 16)

2022 General Season – Deer Hunting Periods

• 10 rifle hunters for the 1st week (Oct 22 – Oct 28)
• 10 rifle hunters for the 2nd week (Oct 29 – Nov 4)
• 10 rifle hunters for the 3rd week (Nov 5 – Nov 13)
• 5 rifle hunters for the 4th week (Nov 14 – Nov 20)
  • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply
• 5 rifle hunters for the 5th and final week (Nov 21 – Nov 27)
  • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply

Other points to remember:

• Application must be made electronically online beginning 8:00 AM, June 1, 2022 at: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/marias-river-wma  or at FWP Regional offices.
• Applicants must include their full name, address, phone number, valid email address, ALS number and desired hunt period.
• Application deadline is 5:00 PM, June 30, 2022.
• 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, 2022.
• 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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