2020 UPLAND GAME BIRD FWP Montana Hunting Regulations Sharp-tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus TURN IN POACHERS: CALL 1-800-TIP-MONT fwp.mt.gov Regulations Adopted by Obtain A License Or Permit Hunter Education Requirements Fish & Wildlife Commission (MCA 87-2-184; 87-2-704) (MCA 87-2-105) Regulations for season dates, structures, Licenses are available at all Fish, Wildlife & If you were born after January 1, 1985, you and restrictions were adopted by the Parks offices, license providers throughout are required to show proof of completing F&W Commission on February 13, 2020, the state and online at fwp.mt.gov. The a Montana hunter safety and education under the authority granted in MCA license is valid March 1 through February course or an approved hunter safety 87-1-301 and are valid March 1, 2020, 28 of the following year. course from any other state or province through February 28, 2021. Final bag Residency (MCA 87-6-302) prior to applying for or purchasing a limits and quotas were adopted by the hunting license, whether the hunting F&W Commission on June 25, 2020. The • It is unlawful to swear to or to affirm license is for the rifle or archery season. F&W Commission reserves the authority a false statement in order to obtain to amend the seasons, limits and an original or replacement resident Licensing Youth Hunting Opportunities regulations herein if deemed necessary hunting and/or fishing license OR A resident or nonresident youth 12 for wildlife management purposes. to assist an unqualified applicant in years of age or older may hunt any Statutes and other information, obtaining a resident license. game species for which their license is including other agencies’ restrictions, Resident (MCA 87-2-102) valid. Those who will reach 12 years of age by January 16, 2021, may hunt any are provided as a courtesy and do not • To be a lawful Montana resident and game species, for which their license is fall under Commission authority. Martha eligible to purchase any Montana valid, after August 15 of the 2020 license Williams, Director. resident fishing, hunting, and trapping year. Proof of hunter education must be Discrimination Prohibited – State and licenses, you must: presented at the time of purchase. Federal laws, Title VI of Civil Rights Act of - have been physically living in 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Montana for at least 180 consecutive An Apprentice Hunter is a resident or Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans days immediately prior to purchasing nonresident at least 10 years of age, with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age a resident license; certified at an FWP office. This allows the Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX - register your vehicle(s) in Montana; apprentice to hunt some species, while of the Education Amendments of 1972, - be registered to vote in Montana if accompanied by a mentor, without first prohibit discrimination on the basis of you’re registered to vote at all; completing a hunter education course. race, color, sex, age, religion, national - not possess (or have applied for any) The Apprentice Hunter may not purchase origin, or disability. Anyone believing he current resident hunting, fishing, or a mountain lion, black bear or wolf license or she has been discriminated against trapping privileges in another state or apply for a bighorn sheep license or a (as described above) in any FWP or country; hunting license or permit with a limited program, activity, or facility may write - file Montana state income tax returns quota. The Apprentice Hunter may not to FWP Human Resources, 1420 East as a resident, if you are required to purchase an elk license if he/she is under Sixth Avenue, PO Box 200701, Helena, file. 15 years of age. Other restrictions apply. MT 59620-0701 or the office of Equal - Once you have established your See our website for details: Opportunity, U.S. Department of the residency, you must continue to meet fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/all/ Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. all these requirements and physically apprenticeHunter/default.html reside in Montana as your principal or In order to carry or use a firearm for Reminders for 2020 primary place of abode for not less any reason, a youth under 14 years of than 120 days per year (days need age must be accompanied by a person • Turkey regulations are now only in the not be consecutive). having charge or custody of the youth, “Spring & Fall Turkey Regulations.” - A person is NOT considered a or be under the supervision of a qualified resident for the purposes of this firearms safety instructor or an adult Youth Only section if the person: 18 years of age or older who has been Special Pheasant Weekend > claims residence in any other state authorized by the youth’s parent or or country for any purpose; or guardian, MCA 45-8-344. September 26-27, 2020 – Statewide > is an absentee property owner The F&W Commission is allowing two Hunters with a Disability additional days to provide a special paying property tax on property in hunting opportunity to encourage Montana. If you or someone you know has a youth participation in pheasant • To purchase an annual resident disability and/or is aging, and is in need hunting. Legally licensed youth ages Conservation License you will be of assistive technology (AT) or adaptive 15 and under may hunt pheasants required to show a valid Montana equipment to help you participate in statewide on these days. A non- Driver’s License (MDL), a valid Montana outdoor recreation, please contact: hunting adult at least 18 years of age Identification Card (MIC), or a valid must accompany the youth hunter Tribal Identification Card (TIC). MonTech at the University of in the field. Mentors for Apprentice • If your MDL or MIC was issued less than Montana Rural Institute, Hunters must be at least 21 years of six months ago, you may be required 29 McGill Hall, age. The bag limit, shooting hours, to show additional proof of residency. Missoula, MT 5982 hunter safety requirements and all An out-of-state driver’s license is NOT other regulations that apply to the an acceptable form of ID for resident (406) 243-5751 regular pheasant season shall apply montech.ruralinstitute.utm.edu/ to this special season. license purchases. Contact your local FWP office for specifics. 2 Turn In Poachers. Enough is Enough! Make the call: 1-800-847-6668 Inspection of Wildlife License Chart (MCA 87-1-502) Cost/Stipulation(s) Wildlife taken must be shown to FWP License Enforcement for inspection when Resident Nonresident requested. $10 $15 Base Hunting Landowner Permission License Required prerequisite for hunting or applying for a permit or (MCA 87-6-415) license. A resident or nonresident shall obtain $4 Ages 12-17, 62 permission of the landowner, the $10 $8 Ages 18-61 years lessee, or their agents before taking or Conservation attempting to take furbearing animals, Required prerequisite game animals, migratory game birds, $7.50 Ages 18 - 61 $110 Ages 18 and over nongame wildlife, predatory animals, upland game birds, or wolves while Upland hunting on private property. $3.75 Ages 12-17*, Game Bird $55 Ages 12-17* Senior (62+) or Disabled • Even if the land is not posted, hunters must have permission from the $6.50 Residents must $57.50 with an Upland land owner, lessee, or their agent have an Upland Game Game Bird License, OR before hunting on private property, Turkey Bird License to purchase $115 without an Upland regardless of whether the land is a Turkey License. Game Bird License. posted or not. • Access to public land through private $50: 3-day license for non- land requires permission of the private 3-day Upland residents. The license is not valid land owner, lessee, or their agent. Game Bird - for sage grouse at any time or for • Retrieval of all wildlife through private License ring-neck pheasants during the land requires permission of the private opening week of the season. landowner, lessee, or their agent. License and Permit Possession/Use $20: Alternative to an Upland Game (MCA 87-6-304) Bird License for non-residents who 3-day Shooting - It is unlawful to: Preserve License wish to hunt only on Shooting Preserves (Private). • Hunt or attempt to hunt for any game bird unless the person is carrying the required license or permit at the time. Resident A valid “Resident of the Flathead Reservation Use Permit” with a valid Flathead Reservation Bird Stamp will be honored • Refuse to produce a license or Flathead by the state wherever hunting for upland or migratory game permit and the identification used Reservation birds is lawful in Montana. Check with Flathead Reservation at in purchasing a license or permit for Use Permit 406-675-2700 ext 7200 for details. inspection to a game warden. • Alter or change a license in any material * Some 10 and 11 year olds are also eligible. See Youth Hunting Opportunities manner. for license requirements. • Loan or transfer any license to another person. Laws & Rules food sources or salt so as to constitute a • Use a license issued to another person. -Statute denoted by MCA. lure or attraction. • Attach the person’s license to a game bird killed by another person. -Commission Rule denoted by CR. Check Stations (MCA 87-6-218) • Have physical control over a valid Aerial Spotting (MCA 87-6-208) All hunters are required by law to stop as directed at all designated check stations and unused hunting license or permit • It is unlawful for a person to shoot a issued to another person while in any game bird from an aircraft.