Don’t wait to apply for deer and elk permits. The application deadline is April 1. Hunters can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website; click on “Buy and Apply.” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers several tools to help hunters navigate the application process. The application process is different for residents and nonresidents, but FWP has created instructional videos

Montana’s spring male turkey season opens April 15. Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license for a general area at FWP offices, a License Ambassador location or online. A new regulation requires nonresident hunters on public lands and privately owned lands that are a part of a hunting access program to wait 10 days later than residents for all upland game bird species except mountain grouse.

During 2025, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks game wardens reported an increase in the number of mountain lions illegally harvested in central Montana by hunters who had not already purchased a license. Five lions were taken by hunters in Region 4 during the 2025 general big game season, and wardens report that three of the five hunters later admitted to buying their license after they had

Landowners, watershed groups and others have until May 15 to apply for summer Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP) grants. The goal of FWP’s FFIP is to restore rivers, streams and lakes to improve Montana’s wild fish habitat. Entities can receive funding for qualifying projects that benefit Montana’s wild fish. Each project is assessed by an independent review panel, and final funding