Some of the 2025 hunting regulations are officially out, so if you’re itching to plan your season, now’s the time to take a look! But hold your horses (or bows/rifles)—regulations for some species and for trapping aren’t up on the FWP site just yet. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, check back because updates are still rolling in.
Reminder: Paper copies are not yet available at the regional offices and are online ONLY.
The new license year opens March 1. This is the day you can buy your 2025 hunting, fishing, and conservation licenses and begin applying for permits and special licenses.
Mark your calendars! The deadline to apply for deer and elk permits is April 1.
• Don’t wait until the last day to apply.
• If you’re applying for a special license or permit, you will need to have a valid email address.
• Make sure to doublecheck the regulations before applying. Some permit/licenses have changed.
• The Online Licensing Service is available from 5 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
• Everyone 12 and older needs a Conservation License to access most state lands, including fishing access sites, wildlife management areas and wildlife habitat protection areas (WHPA). Montana State Parks do not require a Conservation License.
• A separate and rotating moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat SuperTag lottery for resident hunters will be conducted annually. Montana residents will receive one free chance in the lottery for every General Elk or General Deer License purchased.
Questions? Contact the Licensing at (406) 444-2950 or email fwplic@mt.gov
Learn more at: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations
Here is a summary of the following that are available for 2025, and note that Upland Game Bird, Mountain Lion, Migratory Birds and the Furbearer, Wolf, and Trapping Regulations are not available for 2025 online yet. Here is the following from FWP’s website:
2025 DEER, ELK and ANTELOPE REGULATIONS
Highlights
- Over-the-counter Deer B and Elk B License purchase date changed to June 15.
- Deadline for deer/elk permits and Nonresident Combination License applications is April 1.
Highlights
- Bear Management Unit (BMU) 520 has been split, which created a new BMU 530. Legal descriptions are available in the 2024/2025 legal description document on the FWP website.
- 48 hour reporting requirement for all black bear harvests
New BMU 520 and BMU 530 legal descriptions
Highlights
- Hunters should be aware that there may be very few opportunities to harvest light geese in the spring in the Central Flyway due to very few birds being present or available.
- Light goose conservation order opportunity only available in the Central Flyway. Federal frameworks do not allow a Conservation Order in the Pacific Flyway.
2025 MOOSE, SHEEP and GOAT REGULATIONS
Highlights
- For bighorn sheep hunters that hunt within the unlimited districts, mandatory reporting time has been reduced to 24 hours following your harvest and seasons will close 24 hours after the quota is met. Physical inspection may occur within 72 hours following your harvest.
2024/2025 HUNTING DISTRICT LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS
Regulations are adopted by the Fish & Wildlife Commission
- These Hunting District Boundaries were adopted by the F&W Commission on December 14, 2023, under the authority granted in MCA 87-1-301 and are valid March 1, 2024, through February 28, 2026. The F&W Commission reserves the authority to amend the Hunting District Boundaries herein if deemed necessary for wildlife management purposes.
Dustin Temple, Director.
