Happy New (License) Year From FWP! What You Need to Know

March 1 is like a fresh start for outdoor lovers here in Montana. Some changes are on the horizon for hunting and fishing licenses this year.

LET THE BUYING BEGIN

March 1 is the day everyone can buy their 2026 hunting and fishing licenses and apply for special draw licenses and permits. It’s also the day when people need to renew their conservation license to support the state lands they use.

This year, hunters and anglers will see quite a few changes that are worth paying close attention to. These changes come from legislation passed by the 2025 Montana Legislature and new regulations adopted by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission.

WHY IT'S A BIT TRICKY

Licenses for the 2026 license year can be purchased starting Sunday, March 1. SO, If you plan on being in the field on that day, your best move is probably to buy your license online on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks license service page here.

Hunters and anglers buying their license in person at a local business will see some changes as FWP is transitioning to a License Ambassador program. This change will move all licensing sales to Montana’s online licensing system. This allows FWP to add additional businesses that would like to sell licenses and move away from the old point-of-sale systems that were outdated and couldn't be replaced.

READ MORE: Buying Montana Fishing Licenses In-Person Made Easier Again

As always, you can buy and apply for licenses online and at your local FWP office as well. Note that some businesses who used to sell licenses may not anymore. To find a License Ambassador, see the map here.

SOME NOTEWORTHY CHANGES

         Deer

Some of the biggest changes hunters will notice are with deer regulations. In December, the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted several hunting district-specific changes to deer licenses and permits. The commission also made some regulation changes aimed at protecting mule deer numbers and managing hunting pressure. These include:

• Many Mule Deer B Licenses will be valid only on private land. Check your specific hunting district.
• Residents can only hold up to three deer licenses, including their General Deer License. This is down from up to eight in past years.

Nonresidents continue to be limited to one Deer B License, unless they draw a combo license and then they can hold two.

        Elk

Regulations changes approved by the commission include:

• The quota of 900-20 Licenses (archery antelope) is 5,600. Region 3 is no longer in this bundle and was placed in its own pool with 500 licenses.
• The Region 3 Antelope Archery Licenses are 399-20.
• Black bearThe commission also established Black Bear Permits in two bear management units in FWP Region 5, south-central Montana. The deadline to apply for these permits is April 1. Hunters can also accrue bonus points for black bears.Antelope
  • The quota of 900-20 Licenses (archery antelope) is 5,600. Region 3 is no longer in this bundle and was placed in its own pool with 500 licenses.
  • The Region 3 Antelope Archery Licenses are 399-20.

Bighorn sheep

Montana has five unlimited bighorn sheep hunting districts. This year those licenses will only be issued through a drawing.